Residency Application

Application is Open

Program Specifics Application FAQS

<p>2022–23 Studio Museum artist in residence Jeffrey Meris in his studio.</p>

Program Specifics

What to Expect

Each artist receives 24/7 access to a private 252-square-foot studio space and a shared lounge in the museum.
The program offers consistent individual studio visits with the Curatorial Department and other Studio Museum staff.
The residency awards each artist a stipend of $37,500, paid out on a biweekly basis over the course of the year.
Each participant must commit to engaging with their studio practice for a minimum of twenty hours per week.
Artists are encouraged to use the residency period to deepen their relationship to their practice. The artwork made during the residency will be featured in a culminating exhibition.

Application Criteria

Artists working across all mediums are encouraged to apply. While the program is geared toward emerging artists, we accept applications from all artists who are eighteen years old and over.
All international artists in the residency program must secure their own visas prior to their arrival.
The Museum acknowledges all physical, cognitive, intellectual, and sensory disabilities, invisible and visible, and will make accommodations based on the needs of the individual. 
The residency program is intended for individuals only.
The Artist-in-Residence program is not open to students (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate) or artists who are currently in another residency or fellowship program.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on October 7, 2025.

Application

Applicants to the program are required to submit a resume or CV, up to ten but no fewer than five images or videos of examples of works, and an artist statement; letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required. This application is free.

Application and letters of recommendation (should you choose to include them) must be completed and submitted online via SlideRoom.

The Museum accepts applications from artists practicing in all media. Applicants should apply with samples of completed works.

All prospective applicants must create an account with SlideRoom to apply. If you already have an account with SlideRoom, you may log in to your account and make an application for this year.

Our selection process is guided by a consensus-based approach. All applications are assessed by the Museum's Curatorial Department, and a selection panel consisting of external curators and artists. The review process includes multiple rounds of evaluation, including blind review to ensure a fair and impartial process.

Applicants will be notified of selections by the end of the year. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not selected.

Apply for the Residency

Required Application Materials	Resume or CV, up to ten but no fewer than five images or videos of examples of works, and an artist statement
Suggested Application Materials	Letters of recommendation

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FAQS

The Studio Museum in Harlem offers an eleven-month studio residency for three emerging artists working in any media. The program is designed to serve emerging artists of African and/or Afro-Latinx descent working locally, nationally, or internationally. 

The first residency in the inaugural year of the Museum’s new building will be from March 15 to October 15, 2026.

We cannot accept late applications.

There is no fee to apply to the Artist-in-Residence program.

Yes, the program accepts applications from artists working locally, nationally, or internationally. However, the Museum cannot provide visas or sponsor international applicants. All international artists in the residency program must secure their own visas prior to their arrival.

Applicants are required to submit a resume or CV, up to ten but no fewer than five images or videos of examples of artwork, and an artist statement. The resume and artist statement should be consolidated into a single PDF file and uploaded or written directly into the application portal.

No, the Museum accepts applications from artists practicing in all mediums.

Applicants do not need to apply with a project proposal. Applicants should apply with completed work samples.

No, there is no educational requirement.

The Museum acknowledges all physical, cognitive, intellectual, and sensory disabilities, invisible and visible, and will make accommodations based on the needs of the individual. 

The residency awards each artist a stipend of $37,500, paid out on a biweekly schedule over the course of the year.

Yes, all artists must submit their applications in English.

Members of the Museum’s Curatorial Department, a selection of external jurors, and alumni of the program will review applications.

In an effort to streamline the application review process, all recommendations must be submitted through the SlideRoom reference portal. Artist applicants can send, resend, or edit incomplete reference requests through their SlideRoom account. Once this is done, their references will receive an email from SlideRoom with instructions on how to submit their recommendation letter through the portal. 

The Museum encourages applicants to provide two written recommendations. However, recommendations are not required to submit your application. Applicants who choose to include recommendations should request letters from individuals who can speak knowledgeably about their recent work and artistic development. The Museum advises applicants to reach out to recommenders before adding them to SlideRoom. 

No, the application and letters of recommendation (should you choose to include them) must be completed and submitted online via SlideRoom. Paper material sent directly to the Museum will not be reviewed and will result in an incomplete application.  

Yes, artists are encouraged to reapply.

Please email  [email protected] with any additional questions about the program. Applicants should contact [email protected] for technical questions about the application portal.