Residency FAQ

These residencies offer a week of unrestricted solo time and space granted to an artist who needs it for their work. Unlike some residencies that focus on cohorts and collaboration, these were designed for artists who may struggle to carve out solo 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 at a time is invited to stay for a week-long residency at The Garret, with dedicated studio space at the KAC and an unrestricted $500 stipend for food and travel.

Emerging artists in most disciplines!

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

Note: Because our studio spaces do not include a darkroom and our printmaking supplies are limited, we have not included photography or printmaking on this list. If you are a photographer or printmaker whose work can be done with your own equipment, you are welcome to apply and make a note in your application that you believe you can do meaningful work within these studio limitations.

in 2024, we will be awarding two spots to emerging artists balancing creative work with day jobs or caregiving responsibilities, one spot to an artist at any career stage working in cartoons, comics, or animation, and one artist at any career stage working in any genre of folk/traditional music or dance (in honor of Tom Bell & Ginger Parker.)

PLEASE NOTE: 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.

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.

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 on the Green 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 on the Green 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 2024 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.