Applications now open for 2027 mini residencies!

Each year The Kirkland Art Center partners with Folkist Space to host funded residencies for visionary folk artists working in a wide variety of mediums.

This year we’re running a lighter program of shorter residencies to accommodate much-needed improvement projects at the KAC and The Garret.

Applications are open until October 30th for mini-residencies that include:

  • A free four night live/work stay The Garret at Folkist Space

  • A $150 artist stipend to offset the costs of travel

  • Free time to work on the project of your choice, with no reporting requirements.

Important note about our 2027 residency season:

Due to capital improvement projects at both The Kirkland Art Center and Folkist Space, this year’s residency program features long weekend residencies for artists whose work can be done in The Garret at Folkist Space. This is a great fit for writers, musicians and composers with portable instruments, illustrators, many forms of textile art, or artists at a project stage where their time will be spent on a computer. Use your judgment when applying to discern whether the space available is a good fit for your current project.

Artists with significant studio space requirements should check back for our 2028 season next year, when we’ll return to our usual residency format.

Apply now
 

A Residency for and by Folk Artists

From textile arts to creative non-fiction, traditional music and dance, documentary photography, theatre arts, podcasting, TV writing, cartooning, puppetry, and more, we're looking for visionary folk artists and culture-makers working in any medium, whose locus of creation is primarily centered outside traditional academic and institutional structures of support.

Find more weedsy details about the program and application process in our FAQs below,.

We look forward to seeing your work!

- Nora from Folkist Space

Want examples of previously selected residents? Meet the Residency Alumni here.

Residency FAQ

 

PLEASE NOTE that for the 2027 residency season only, Folkist Space residencies will not include studio space at the KAC, and will be a shorter program of 4 nights with stipends of $150. If you’re applying for a 2027 residency, please note this adjustment!

  • These residencies offer a week of unrestricted time and space granted to an artist or small creative team who need it for their work. Unlike some residencies that invite several artists at once, these were designed for artists and small teams who may struggle to carve out quiet space and time for creative work in their everyday lives— due to bill-paying jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and other restrictions that preclude longer residencies at other institutions.

    One artist or team at a time is invited to stay for a week-long residency at The Garret at Folkist Space, with dedicated studio space at the KAC and an unrestricted $500 stipend for food and travel.

  • Folky artists in most disciplines!

    From textile arts to creative non-fiction, traditional music and dance, documentary photography, theatre arts, and more, we're looking to support visionary makers in any creative discipline whose locus of creation is primarily centered outside traditional academic and institutional structures of support, and has roots in (or branches into) the lives of everyday working people. This is our broad working definition of folk art.

    -Musicians/Songwriters
    -Writers
    -Painters
    -Illustrators
    -Fiber Artists
    -Ceramic Artists
    -Dancers/Choreographers
    -Theatre Artists

  • Due to the short length of our residencies and our distance from international airports, we are only accepting applicants from the U.S. and Canada at this time.

    Please note that Canadian artists are not eligible for stipends due to restrictions that prevent the KAC from issuing payments to non-U.S. citizens.

  • We prioritize “emerging artists” for a couple of our spots each year, but this term is used at many institutions to mean many things!

    Ideally, all artists are emerging and transforming throughout their careers. For us, it’s a shorthand that means our program prioritizes artists who can demonstrate that they are serious about their work (it’s not just a hobby) but do not currently make a full-time paycheck from making or teaching their art (it’s not their main bill-paying job.)

    Artists who make partial income from their art are welcome and encouraged to apply for our emerging artist slots.

  • This residency does not have an on-site chef or meal program. The Kirkland Art Center provides snacks, a local restaurant donates two meals per resident, and there is the option of a dinner with your residency hosts while on-site. The Garret includes a full kitchen for storing or preparing meals during your residency.

  • Our committee ranks candidates on the following qualities when selecting artist residents:

    - Demonstrates real dedication to their creative practice.

    - Has a clear vision of who they are as an artist, and what they would like to say with their work

    -Work shows promise and room for meaningful growth, along with some level of existing mastery

    -Has commitments, responsibilities, and/or barriers to institutional access that would make longer residencies at other orgs difficult (i.e. is a parent or caregiver, has inflexible bill-paying employment, inhabits an identity or works in a medium that has been historically excluded by art institutions.)

    -Is in a place with their current project or in their career where institutional support and a week of solo time to work would make a meaningful impact.

    -For emerging artist spots: main source of income is not currently from their art, or from teaching in their creative field (but artists who earn a partial income from their work are strongly encouraged to apply.)

  • Yes, with a few caveats:

    The residency’s $500 travel and food stipend remains the same regardless of the number of artists accepted for a residency.

    The number of donated meals per residency remains the same regardless of the number of artists accepted for a residency.

    The Garret at Folkist Space has two sleeping areas, one with a Queen bed and the other with a Full bed. Artists applying with collaborators acknowledge that these housing arrangements are adequate for their needs.

    Artists applying as collaborators should submit a single joint application.

  • While the Kirkland Art Center has a wheelchair ramp and lift, unfortunately The Garret at Folkist Space is a second-floor apartment that does require navigating stairs. We are looking into possible alternate accommodations for residents who need more accessible lodging, but we do not have them in place for the 2026 season. (Are you a local reading this with an accessible apartment in the village? Reach out to us!)

    We recommend that residents arrive by car if possible, as grocery shopping, hiking, and other local attractions in our rural area are most easily accessed by car. However, pickup at the Utica bus and train station can be arranged for residents who cannot drive or do not have access to a vehicle, and several shops and businesses are available within walking distance of the KAC and The Garret.

Apply for a residency