Opportunities

Located on the sixth floor of the Museum and open to the public, the Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers. The first museum residency of its kind, the program encourages visitor engagement with Artist Studios Residents as they expand their creative practice while working on site at MAD. Two artists are selected for six-month sessions (August—February or February—August), for which they receive access to studio space in the Museum and a stipend. Open studio hours are held Wednesday 11 am to 7 pm, and Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. During that time, the artists welcome Museum visitors inside their workspaces for conversation and close looking. 

The artists chosen for MAD’s Artist Studios program represent a wide range of creative practices within the fields of art, craft, and design. Established in 2008, the program has served as an important platform for more than 200 artists and designers to advance their careers and is widely recognized as an innovative model for Museum education.  Alumni have gone on to highly regarded careers and have exhibited at MAD and other major institutions, including the Queens Museum, Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and Studio Museum, among others.       

Residency Benefits  

The MAD Artist Studios residency supports NYC-based artists working in craft and design. Residents receive a stipend based on their on-site public schedule: $15,000 for three days per week and $10,000 for two days, along with access to a dedicated studio space in the Museum, professional development and studio visits with museum staff; additional paid public programming opportunities; interaction with Museum visitors weekly, continued engagement through the community of over 200 Artist Studios alumni; and access to MAD’s galleries, public programs, and exhibition openings.      

Artists also receive a stipend for materials and mentorship, admission to paid public programs, and will join a community of more than 200 alumni.  

Residency Eligibility          

The MAD Artist Studios residency supports artists and designers working across craft, design, and the visual arts. The program is committed to fostering a diverse community of practitioners, with a continued focus on artists from historically underrepresented communities. It places particular emphasis on artists whose practices engage historic studio craft materials, including wood, fiber, glass, ceramics, metal, and stone, as well as those exploring new technologies.

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be an artist or designer with an active studio practice working in the applied arts.
• Be a resident of the New York City metro area.
• Be at least twenty-one years old at the time of application.
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the United States with a valid SSN or EIN.

Residency Expectations

Artist Studios Residents commit to 14 or 21 public open studio hours per week on Thursdays, Fridays, and/or Saturdays from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm and/or Wednesdays 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. The daily residents’ weekly schedule will be established in conjunction with MAD’s Education Department and will remain set throughout the six-month residency. In addition to their public open studio hours during each assigned week in the Museum, Artist Studios Residents are encouraged to utilize the studio space for private studio hours. During their weekly open studio hours, all Artist Studios residents will welcome visits from K-12 school groups facilitated by paid artist-educators and public tour groups  by docents.  

Application Process 

The Artist Studios program offers three residencies per six-month session. Starting Friday, August 14, MAD is accepting applications for the February 15, 2027- August 15, 2027 (Cycle 46) or and August 16, 2027- February 13, 20278 (Cycle 47)  

Artists will be selected to participate in one session and will mark which session(s) they are applying for within the application.   

Applying for Multiple Residency Schedules 

Artists should submit one application and indicate their preferred on-site schedule—three or two public-facing days per week—within their application materials. Applicants will be considered for all available schedules, but will only be selected for one residency session.    

Selection Process 

Applications are reviewed by a committee of Museum staff and professionals in the fields of art, craft, and design. The strongest candidates demonstrate a mature body of work that reflects both technical skill and a developed conceptual framework. Because the Artist Studios are a vital part of the visitor experience at MAD, applicants should show a genuine readiness to engage with the public and benefit from the open studios format.      

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the Artist Studios in person before applying to gain a full understanding of the space and its public-facing nature.      

During the first round of review, each application is evaluated by members of the Selection Committee according to the following criteria: 

Applicants should have a body of work that: 

• Engages critically with the transdisciplinary fields of contemporary craft, design, art, and technology
• Demonstrates a strong conceptual framework
• Shows deep engagement with process and materials

Applicants should: 

• Outline a clear direction or question to explore during the residency
• Demonstrate a readiness to engage with MAD’s visitors, teen interns, and school groups through the open studios format
• Reflect an understanding of the unique advantages and limitations of the Artist Studios space

Top-rated applications will advance to review by the Selection Committee. Selected applicants are invited to interview with the Deputy Director of Education and Manager of Public Programs and Studios. Finalists’ references are contacted to assess communication and interpersonal skills. Because Artist Studios residents regularly interact with K–12 students, all selected artists must complete a background check.     

Notification Process 

Initial notifications will be sent in October 2026 indicating whether applicants have advanced to the final stage of consideration. Finalists will be invited to meet for a studio visit and interview with members of the Education Department in November 2026. Final determinations and offers will be made in December 2026.        

Studio Facilities and Restrictions 

The Artist Studios are located on the 6th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design, which is open to the public. Two studios measure approximately 200 square feet each and include a large worktable, sink, storage, and Wi-Fi access. These can be combined into one co-working space if the residents decide to do so.

Alongside the two artist studios is our Project Space. The Project Space measures about 400 square feet and is a hybrid exhibition and educational space managed by the Education Team. Residents can access the following shared equipment: 

• A Skutt 1027 kiln (interior dimensions: 23” diameter × 27” tall), with kiln posts and full/half shelves
• A Brent pottery wheel
• A 22" floor loom

Please note the following restrictions: 

• No open flames
• All hot work must be approved by the Director of Facilities
• Large or unsafe power tools (saws) are not permitted
• Toxic materials such as turpentine, certain resins, lusters, or lead-based paints are prohibited.

Additional Information 

MAD provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.