A guide to 2021 artist and writer residencies in the Southwest, including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
Article updated 01/21/21.
For artists looking for the time, space, and support imperative to the creative process, residencies can offer all three. The vast, roaming landscape of the Southwest makes a superb setting for creativity to flourish, which isn’t lost on the organizations that host residencies in the region throughout the year. Generally, the time to apply is now. Right now. For tips and insights on residencies, do refer to well-versed Santa Fe artist Shane Tolbert’s guide to Southwest Creative Residencies published in our April 2019 issue. For a quick reference on artist and writer residencies to submit to for the 2021 and sometimes 2022 seasons, read on and get ready to apply, posthaste.
New Mexico
Roswell Artist-in-Residence Foundation
Roswell, New Mexico
The program was established in 1967 to provide studio-based visual artists with the opportunity to concentrate on their work in a supportive, collegial environment for an entire year. Professional visual artists 21 years of age or older are invited to apply. May work in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and other fine art media. Grants are not made in the disciplines of performance art or production crafts.
Deadline to apply: March 15, 2021.
Application fee: $25.
Stipend: $1100/month, plus $100 for a spouse/partner and each child living with the grantee.
Length: One year.
Helene Wurlitzer Foundation
Taos, New Mexico
Founded in 1954, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation is one of the oldest residency programs in the country. Situated on fifteen acres in Taos. Visual artists (painters, illustrators, photographers, sculptors, filmmakers, ceramicists) literary artists (writers, poets, playwrights, screenwriters), and music composers and songwriters are invited to apply.
Deadline to apply: January 18, 2021.
Application fee: $25.
Stipend: None, but artists can apply for assistance with grocery expenses.
Length: 10-12 weeks, depending on the session. Sessions run throughout the year.
Institute of American Indian Arts Virtual Residency
Santa Fe, New Mexico
This year, IAIA’s Artist-in-Residence Program has adapted to COVID-19 times by offering a virtual residency program. All residency activities will be conducted via Zoom. Hands-on workshops via Zoom are encouraged and IAIA personnel will assist in developing the workshop and provide materials for workshop participants. Open to tribally-enrolled Native American artists from the U.S. and First Nations artists in BC, Canada. Applicants should have mastery of their artistic medium and relevant cultural knowledge that can be shared with IAIA students and with public audiences, but only to the degree appropriate to the artist’s cultural traditions around protected knowledge.
Deadline to apply: Ongoing until the spring, or until full.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: Between $1500 and $6000 depending on the length.
Length: Between two and eight weeks.
Arizona
Sonoran Arts Residency
Ajo, Arizona
Founded in 2018, the Sonoran Arts Residency is open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists. The vision of the residency is to provide artists with time and space, as well as to contribute to the growing arts community in Ajo. Last year’s residency was based on a theme, and artists were nominated versus holding an open call. Details for the 2021 residency should be announced this winter.
Deadline to apply: TBD.
Application fee: TBD.
Stipend: Last year’s stipend was $250. Residents also have free access to various amenities outside of lodging, including a pool, yoga classes, and suppers hosted by local artists and residents.
Length: Four weeks, begins May 2021.
Made in Wickenburg Residency Program
Wickenburg, Arizona
Set on a historic ranch, this residency is for performing arts groups and companies, including dance, theater, and music. While housing and food are typically provided, funding is currently exhausted for 2021. The program will still provide rehearsal space.
Deadline to apply: Ongoing.
Application fee: None.
Length: Varies.
No application form, simply email Cathy Weiss, cweiss@delewebbcenter.org.
Nevada
Montello Foundation Residency
Montello, Nevada
Far in the desert landscape of Nevada, the Montello Foundation Residency is for artists and writers of all stripes who are interested in and committed to protecting nature. Located on eighty acres in an undeveloped valley. The 2021 season runs between May 8 and November 6.
Deadline to apply: January 24, 2021 (the organization suggests sending before January 22 to ensure all files are in order).
Application fee: $15.
Stipend: None.
Length: Two weeks.
Buffalo Creek Art Center Residency
Gardnerville, Nevada
Buffalo Creek Art Center is a summer artist residency for three-dimensional artists in metal, wood, ceramic, and multi-media with an emphasis on traditional figurative and abstract works. Located on a thirty-four acre ranch at the foot of Jobs Peak in the Sierra Nevadas, the residency provides artists with a beautiful space to create. Artists ages 21 and older may apply. Residents will be given free room and workspace and use of all the equipment.
Deadline to apply: Ongoing.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: None.
Length: Residents can choose between four, six, or eight weeks.
The Neon Museum National Artist Residency
Las Vegas, Nevada
For artists working in digital, performance, or visual arts. The residency is designed to get fresh perspectives on the museum’s collection while engaging the community through public programming. This year’s residency has been pushed to the fall. Check back in April 2021 for the application and updated information.
Deadline to apply: TBD.
Stipend: Not specified.
Length: TBD.
Rogers Art Loft Residency
Las Vegas, Nevada
The Rogers Art Loft residency is designed to be a place of research, development, and creation. Project proposals are meant to be specific to Las Vegas. Artists reside at The Lucy Complex, which is home to writers-in-residence from Black Mountain Institute and other local Las Vegas writers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Studios and event spaces are provided at the Rogers Studio Gallery.
Deadline to apply: TBD. Applications for 2022 are scheduled to open this spring.
Stipend: $750 stipend per month in residence, $500 stipend for domestic transportation, $61 per diem for food, and $25 per day in Lyft credit. Materials stipend is part of the application proposal.
Length: TBD.
Colorado
Anderson Ranch Artist-in-Residence
Snowmass, Colorado
Anderson Ranch’s program fosters creative, intellectual, and professional growth for emerging and established visual artists. Resident artists will be provided with housing, studio space, and meals. Residencies are offered in ceramics, new media, photography, furniture design, woodworking, painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.
Deadline to apply: February 15, 2021.
Stipend: None, but four of the twenty-eight residencies are fully funded fellowships, awarded by the jury panel.
Program fee: Fall residents pay a fee of $1500 for ten weeks at the Ranch. Spring residents pay a fee of $750 for five weeks at the Ranch. The fee covers housing, studio space, and meals.
Length: Five to ten weeks.
PlatteForum
Denver, Colorado
PlatteForum hosts an international artist residency geared towards social justice. The artist’s practice and work created during their residency must address a social justice issue and may be created through any creative discipline. Resident artists are given full access to PlatteForum’s studio space during their residency. In return they are required to lead workshops with ArtLab interns and other youth-serving groups, culminating in exhibitions/performances in collaboration with youth. Free housing is provided for out-of-state artists.
Deadline to apply: March 13, 2021.
Application fee: $250/week and $200 for pre-residency planning Platte Forum staff.
Length: Five to eight weeks.
Mountain Words Writer-in-Residence
Crested Butte, Colorado
Writers are invited to apply for a nurturing residency in the Rocky Mountains. The residency culminates with a celebration of completed works and public readings at the Mountain Words Literary Festival, May 27–30, 2021. Completed work is publicized through the Center’s marketing channels. Applications from writers working in any genre and of all perspectives and demographics are encouraged.
Deadline to apply: February 22, 2021.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: $6000.
Length: One month, from May to June 1, 2021.
Texas
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Core Program 2021
Houston, Texas
Established in 1982, the Core Residency Program awards residencies to highly motivated, exceptional visual artists, art scholars, and critical writers who have completed their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Residents engage with a wide range of artists, critics, curators, and scholars. Fellows are expected to be active in their artistic and/or critical practices and attend seminars and lectures.
Deadline to apply: April 1, 2021.
Application fee: $12.
Stipend: $20,000.
Length: Nine months, from September 2021 to May 2022.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Residence Programs
Houston, Texas
Artists working in wood, glass, metal, fiber, clay, and mixed media are invited to apply to HCCC’s residency program. Benefits of the residency include 24/7 access to studio space, cultural and professional development opportunities, and the opportunity to give an artist’s talk. This residency is more public-facing, with residents required to work in their studios two days per week during HCCC public hours, and have open studios two days per week as well. A major goal of the program is to provide visitors with an opportunity to explore contemporary craft by engaging with working artists.
Deadline to apply: March 1, 2021.
Application fee: Waived for 2021.
Stipend: $1000/month, which includes funds for housing and meals.
Length: Varies between three and twelve months, between September 2021 and August 2022.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Interdisciplinary Craft + Photography Residency
Houston, Texas
With the same benefits as the residency above, HCCC also offers a residency for artists creating work at the intersection of contemporary craft and photography. Residents will receive printing credits and access to the digital lab. They will also participate in a joint artist talk and will be included in HCCC’s annual In Residence exhibition, as well as receive a feature in spot magazine.
Deadline to apply: March 1, 2021.
Application fee: Waived for 2021.
Stipend: $1000/month, which includes funds for housing and meals.
Length: Three months.
UT Austin Dobie Paisano Fellowship Programs for Writers
Austin, Texas
The Dobie Paisano Program provides writers solitude, time, and a comfortable place to work The retreat is on a 250-acre ranch about twenty minutes west of Austin. There are two distinct fellowships aimed at native Texans or writers who have written about Texas. The fellowships are available to writers in any genre, especially poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, though non-fiction should be written for the general audience. The Jesse H. Jones Writing Fellowship is aimed at, though not limited to, writers who are early in their careers. The Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship is aimed at writers who have already demonstrated some publishing and critical success.
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2021.
Application fee: $20 for one fellowship, or $30 for both.
Stipend: The Jesse H. Jones Fellowship provides $4500/month. The Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship offers $6000/month.
Length: The Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship is four months long, from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The Jesse H. Jones Fellowship is also fourth months long, from January 7, 2022 to April 30th, 2021.
Artpace Texas Open Call
San Antonio, Texas
The Texas Open Call is Artpace’s primary resource for identifying artists who are interested in and eligible for participation in their International Artist-in-Residence program, as well as studio visits by curators participating in Artpace’s Curatorial Residency program. All Texas resident artists who meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed on a rolling basis by Artpace staff, guest curators, and curatorial residents. Artpace annually hosts three residencies (spring, summer, and fall). An Artpace residency includes travel expenses, a living stipend, a materials budget, an apartment, and studio/exhibition space. Resident artists have access to fully equipped wood and metal workshops and a digital media studio, in addition to technical and administrative support. The residency culminates in a two-month exhibition.
Deadline to apply: 2022 applications are closed. 2023 applications are expected to open in June, 2022.
Application fee: $15, although it was waived the last cycle.
Stipend: $6,000 and up to a $10,000 production budget.
Length: Eight weeks.
Utah
UMOCA Artist-in-Residence Program
Salt Lake City, Utah
A long-term residence for Utah artists. Residents are selected primarily based on demonstrated artistic potential, commitment to working in a contemporary idiom, willingness to participate in a robust and intellectually-engaged community of artists, and readiness to devote the time necessary to advance their professional careers to the next level. UMOCA residents will work in a free studio space inside the museum itself. UMOCA will also provide residents with private meetings with national curators, critics, and other art world professionals who will be brought to UMOCA specifically to give our residents opportunities for higher visibility inside and outside the state.
Deadline to apply: June 1, 2021, for residency beginning February 1, 2022.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: TBD
Length: TBD
The Taft-Nicholson Center Artist-in-Residence Program
Salt Lake City, Utah
Artists from diverse multidisciplinary fields are encouraged to apply: residencies are open to visual artists, composers, writers, dancers, photographers, filmmakers, playwrights, and textile artists, among others. Residencies are open to non-academic and academic applicants. Taft-Nicholson Center residents can enjoy a remote setting in the Centennial Valley dedicated to the historical integrity of the land and the preservation of natural habitat and wildlife.
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2021.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: None, housing and studio space are provided.
Length: Between two and six weeks between June 15 and October 1, 2021. Request desired length in the application. If an artist needs financial assistance support, please contact Director Mark Bergstrom to request a meal scholarship application.
Zion National Park Residency
Springdale, Utah
Resident artists spend thirty days living in a historic cabin in Zion National Park. They explore and surround themselves in the sights, sounds, textures, and wonders of Zion to find inspiration for their work. All visual, performing, and literary artists are welcome to apply. When in residence the artist is highly independent but is expected to present two public programs tailored to an individual’s medium, interest, experience, and audience. Holding periodic open studio hours is also encouraged and interacting with the public while in the park is required. The application for Zion’s 2022 residency program will become available in late May 2021.
Deadline to apply: July 31, 2021.
Application fee: $35.
Stipend: Typically $300, yet to be specified for 2021.
Length: One month.
Oklahoma
Tulsa Artist Fellowship
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Grounded in social change, this fellowship provides an equitable environment for a diverse community of artists in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Open to artists and/or arts workers of any medium and/or discipline with a minimum of five years of professional experience. Fellowship awards are merit, not project-based, where arts professionals are gifted autonomy to explore and expand their creative practices. Participants are encouraged to engage in critical dialogue and skillshare among their artistic colleagues through monthly gatherings and annual institutes. Fully subsidized housing and studio spaces are provided.
Deadline to apply: January 15, 2021.
Application fee: None.
Stipend: $40,000 over two years.
Length: Two years.
