artist in residence 2026–2027
The Powerhouse Arts Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program is a paid, six-month residency supporting early-career New York City–based artists in the development of ambitious, fabrication-driven projects. Designed for artists at a pivotal stage in their practice, AiR provides financial support, fabrication and materials funding, studio space, curatorial mentorship, and access to Powerhouse Arts’ fabrication facilities and expert technicians.
The 2026–2027 AiR cycle runs from August 24, 2026 through March 5, 2027 and supports a cohort of three artists. Each resident receives a $10,000 honorarium and $17,000 in fabrication and materials support, along with access to studio space and fabrication facilities.
AiR supports the full lifecycle of a project, from early experimentation and proposal development through fabrication and public presentation. Residents work directly with Powerhouse Arts fabrication teams across print, ceramics, textiles, public art, and digital print, gaining hands-on experience in production workflows, budgeting, technical collaboration, and project management. Each residency cycle culminates in a public exhibition of newly commissioned work.
Artists are not required to apply with a fully developed proposal. The program values experimentation and process, creating space for artists to test ideas and develop projects in dialogue with available resources, materials, and technical expertise.
residency structure
The six-month residency is structured across four phases:
Research & Development (6 weeks)
Artists focus on experimentation, material exploration, prototyping, and concept development through mentorship and access to fabrication resources. Residents are encouraged to explore Powerhouse Arts shops and community studios before defining a final project direction.
Proposal Development (3 weeks)
Residents refine ideas into production-ready proposals, including timelines, budgets, and fabrication plans. This phase introduces how projects are scoped, scheduled, and managed within a professional fabrication environment.
Fabrication (3 months)
Once projects are approved, artists collaborate directly with Powerhouse Arts technicians and fabrication teams to realize final works. This phase emphasizes production workflows, material decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving.
Exhibition & Public Program (6 weeks)
Completed works are presented in a culminating exhibition accompanied by a public program reflecting on the residency process and outcomes.
what artists will contribute
Commit a minimum of 15 hours per week onsite at Powerhouse Arts throughout the residency
Actively participate in all aspects of the residency, including check-in meetings, workshops, consultations, and milestone reviews to ensure projects remain aligned with timeline, budget, and production scope
Document the creative process for communications, archival, and storytelling purposes
Participate in designated open studio opportunities, allowing visitors to observe works in progress
Work collaboratively with staff and fabricators throughout proposal development and production
Complete a final project for presentation in the AiR exhibition at the conclusion of the residency
Participate in a public program connected to the final exhibition
Submit a final evaluation to support the continued development of the program