New Orleans, Louisiana
Open Studios, April 2024
April 19, 2024
Joan Mitchell Center
Application is open through May 31 for 2025 Residencies at the Joan Mitchell Center!
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CloseArtist-in-Residence Program 2025 Guidelines
If you have questions about your Joan Mitchell Center Artist-in-Residence application, find the answers here! Use the jump menu below to navigate to topics or the FAQ. For more information or support with the application process, please contact [email protected].
Program Overview
As a programmatic site of the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans hosts artist residencies, providing individual studio spaces on the Center’s two-acre campus for both local and national artists. Located in the 7th Ward, the residency is a retreat for artists in a city rich with creative energy and cultural histories. The Foundation first began hosting artists as part of the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program in temporary French Quarter studios in 2013 and then opened the Joan Mitchell Center in 2015. Since its inception, the AIR Program has provided dedicated time and space for artistic contemplation and experimentation to 345 artists from across the country, including more than 120 artists local to New Orleans. Fifty of those participated in the New Orleans Studio Program, which offered a hybrid virtual and onsite residency to New Orleans-based artists during the COVID-19 pandemic (from September 2020 to the beginning of February 2022).
From April 8–May 31, 2024, the Center will accept applications from eligible visual artists for residencies at the Joan Mitchell Center in 2025.
Selected artists will receive private studio space at the Center for 6 or 14 weeks in either the Spring or Fall 2025 residency session, or for 8 weeks during the Summer session. Artists-in-Residence also receive $150 stipend per week, communal meals on weekdays (excluding holidays), and opportunities to participate in professional development and community events. Additionally, the Center will book all travel within the United States and provide lodging onsite for program participants (please note, we do not house guests or family members).
Residency dates will be confirmed with selected artists based on their stated session preference and studio availability.
- Spring session: February 3–May 9, 2025
- Summer session: June 9–August 1, 2025
- Fall session: September 15–December 19, 2025
Applicant Eligibility
In order to meet eligibility for the Joan Mitchell Center Artist-in-Residence Program, individuals must be one of the following:
Artists Applying from New Orleans
Must have lived in New Orleans as your primary residence for the last 5 years (Orleans and Jefferson Parish residents will be considered) OR
Be a New Orleans native
Artists Applying from Outside of New Orleans
Must be a past recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation artist support programs including: Painters & Sculptors Grants, MFA Grants, Emerging Artist Grants, Emergency Grants, Creating a Living Legacy Awards, Early Art Practitioner Council Members, and Joan Mitchell Foundation Art Education Program Artist Teachers. Joan Mitchell Fellows in the fourth or fifth year of their fellowship may apply; therefore, 2021 Fellows are eligible to apply for 2025 residencies.
In addition, all applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work with a serious commitment to an artistic practice
- Be at a pivotal point in their career and demonstrate how the residency would be a benefit
- Have never previously been an Artist-in-Residence at the Joan Mitchell Center, unless as an Early Art Practitioner (EAP)
- Be 21+ years of age
- Must not be enrolled as a student in any degree-granting art program during the residency period
- Need a professional workspace to support a studio practice
- Be committed to be present and active for the duration of the residency cycle and participate in the professional development and studio visit consultations
- Complete and submit an application
Program Participation & Residency Benefits
All artists-in-residence (AIRs) will receive:
- 24/7 access to their studios
- Weekly stipend of $150
- Support from the on-staff studio assistants
- Prepared meals on-site and available Monday through Friday (except holidays)
- Regularly scheduled professional development and networking programming
Artists traveling from outside of the New Orleans area will also receive:
- Onsite lodging
- Airfare or up to $600 in travel reimbursement
- Up to $200 shipping reimbursement
Studio Use and Program Engagement
Studio use is a primary component of the residency program. See a brief video tour and examples of our available studios here.
Program participants are asked to commit to roughly no less than 30 hours a week of working in their studios. Additionally, artists are expected to be engaged community members within their residency cohort and regularly participate in the roster of professional development programs and networking activities offered.
The Center’s residency programming provides artists-in-residence with opportunities to engage with other artists and arts consultants locally and from across the United States. Please note that the Center may pivot elements of the programming to virtual offerings in response to unforeseen events.
The Center offers five types of programming:
Cohort and Community Building consists of peer-oriented happy hours and open studios for artists-in-residence, JMC staff, and invited Center alumni artists to connect with one another, discuss work, share their creative process, ask for feedback, and anything else that can benefit from communal participation or input. In addition, AIRs will have the opportunity to connect with the New Orleans community through programmed field trips and tours.
Open Studios occur twice during each session, with the exception of the summer session, where there will be only one. These are professional networking gatherings where artists-in-residence present works-in-progress or finished pieces developed during their residency to a group of guests that can include artists, art administrators, curators, collectors, gallerists, alumni, cultural practitioners, and community members.
Professional Consultations are one-on-one consultations and group workshops for artists-in-residence to connect with arts specialists to discuss a variety of topics that can include professional branding and marketing, legal and financial planning, estate planning and career documentation, and other areas that can support career development.
Studio Visits are opportunities for artists-in-residence to connect with invited local and national curators, museum directors, gallerists, and other art professionals in one-on-one conversations to pose questions, exchange insight, and receive feedback, guidance, and support.
Website and Social Media Engagement includes dedicated profile pages for each Artist-in-Residence in the Supported Artists section of the Joan Mitchell Foundation website, along with artist features on the Center’s social media channels (Instagram and Facebook) during the residency period. We encourage artists to share photos or videos during their residency and tag @joanmitchellcenter_nola so that we can repost.
How to Apply
Artists are asked to provide a headshot, biography, CV/resume, describe their artistic practice, their intention for the residency, why this is a pivotal point in their career to attend a residency, three (3) professional references, and eight (8) work samples (including work sample descriptions). All of these materials will be submitted via the online platform Submittable.
The Joan Mitchell Center will hold both an onsite info session on Tuesday, April 23 at 11:00am AND a virtual info session on Wednesday, April 24 at 3pm CT. We will also be hosting onsite, 1-on-1 application support sessions the week of May 13th and May 20th. Please contact program associate Trécha Gay Jheneall at [email protected] if you are interested in signing up for 1-on-1 support sessions.
Please review the detailed application instructions below before beginning the application.
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 31 at 5pm (CT). We are unable to accept late submissions. Only complete applications will be submitted for jury consideration. If you need clarification or have specific questions that pertain to your application not addressed below, please email [email protected].
Application for New Orleans-based Artists
The link for former Joan Mitchell Foundation grant recipients to apply was emailed directly to all eligible alumni artists on April 8. Check your email or write to [email protected] for the link!
Review Process and Timeline
The Joan Mitchell Center staff works to thoughtfully assemble a diverse group of jurors with a breadth of knowledge, perspectives, and experience in various areas of the art world. Primarily, the jury assessment will take into consideration the overall body of work and its representation of the artist’s vision, commitment, dedication to a studio practice, and how the residency will advance an artist’s career at a pivotal moment. Please note that not every juror is an expert in every medium, therefore it's important that you provide as much information as possible about individual works and your practice for context.
The jury will meet in August and we anticipate informing artists of their residency award by early fall 2024.
Application Instructions
You will be asked to submit the following in order to complete an application online via Submittable:
Biography: Please provide a short written overview of your artistic and professional background from a third-person perspective, highlighting its connection to your present endeavors. This content will not be disclosed to jurors but will be utilized for promotional purposes if you are chosen as a recipient.
Resume/CV: Please provide a summary of your educational, vocational, and professional qualifications and experience as it relates to the arts as well as your practice.
Process + Practice: Please answer a series of questions regarding your creative practice, past residencies, the relevance or potential impact of the residency from your perspective, as well as future goals.
Professional References: Please provide the name, email, phone number, title, and the nature of your relationship for three (3) separate references. They should serve as references on your behalf who can speak to your readiness for the program, dedication to your career as an artist, and ability to work in communities like residencies. Please DO NOT submit letters of recommendation.
Work Samples: Please submit eight (8) examples of current work that best showcase your artistic vision and practice. We suggest providing the highest resolution images you have to ensure that jurors can zoom in for detail. Work samples will be viewed on computer screens. We recognize that still imagery does not best reflect the artistic work of many installation artists; therefore, we encourage video submissions or a composite image of detailed shots from various angles of a single piece from those artists (do not include composite images of multiple works). Of the eight work samples, up to two short videos, each under one minute in length, can be submitted. While Submittable will allow you to upload video samples that are longer than one minute, the jury will be instructed to only view the first minute.
All files must be labeled with the artist's last name, followed by a first initial and number 1-8 (example: LastName_FirstInitial_Image1). After you upload each work sample, please make sure to include title, date, materials, dimensions, and a short description in the metadata field that is provided. Work samples without metadata may place you at a disadvantage during the review, as the jury may not be able to understand your work clearly. Image submissions can include detailed shots and various angles of a single piece but should not be composite images of multiple works.Photo: Please upload a high-resolution headshot to be used for promotion of selected artists.
All necessary materials have to be submitted by the application deadline, otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for jury review.
Videos
Virtual Information Session
This session was held over Zoom and introduces the residency program, summarizes best practices for the application, and includes questions from attendees.
Application Tutorial
This virtual tutorial walks you through the program application on Submittable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I qualify if I have received a previous Artist-in-Residence award?
Unfortunately, if you have been an Artist-in-Residence at the Joan Mitchell Center (including a participant of the pilot program or New Orleans Studio Program), you are not eligible to apply for the 2024 application cycle, since we are prioritizing opportunities for artists who have not yet participated. Former Early Art Practitioner (EAP) participants are eligible to apply.
How could unforeseen events such as hurricanes or pandemics potentially impact the residency?
Due to the uncertainties posed by natural disasters or global health events, some aspects of the program may shift to support health and safety considerations, including how programming is presented (virtual vs. in-person) and access to the campus. The Center will work to give reasonable advance notice of any such modifications to program participants.
Does the Center have a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy?
Yes. It is encouraged that artists be up to date with the generally accepted COVID-19 vaccinations, or that you are at the highest level appropriate with your current medical situation. You will be asked to complete an artist agreement with an attestation of vaccination as a condition of acceptance of your residency offer.
I work with a collaborator. Can we apply as a team?
Yes, up to two collaborating artists can apply jointly, provided that both artists are currently eligible (see criteria above). If applying as a team, please contact the Center before submitting your application.
When will I find out if I have been awarded a 2025 residency at the Joan Mitchell Center?
We anticipate informing artists of their residency award by early fall 2024. If awarded a 2025 residency, we ask that you keep your residency award confidential between yourself, your partner(s), and/or your collaborator(s) until we publicly announce the entire group of 2025 Artists-in-Residence.
Does the Foundation have recommendations for image presentation in the application?
We find that a cohesive group of images makes for a strong work sample presentation. Also take note that your images should be clear, sharply focused, and well-lit. We suggest providing the highest resolution images you have to ensure that jurors can zoom in for detail. Total file upload submissions, including resume, work samples, and other uploads, may not exceed 800 MB. If submitted, each video clip should be no longer than 1 minute.
Who do I contact if I experience challenges with the application?
If you are experiencing issues with setting up or accessing your submittable account as well as technical issues with the application form, please contact Submittable directly at the following: submittable.com/help/organization.
If you have questions about the instructions or other aspects of the application or are experiencing accessibility barriers, please contact us via email at [email protected]. Center staff will respond to emails within 3 business days when time permits. Should you need to speak with someone on the programs team via phone, please email a request for an appointment, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Because of the high number of applications received, our staff may not be able to address inquiries or provide assistance on the day of the deadline.
How does the jury evaluate an application?
The Joan Mitchell Center staff works to thoughtfully assemble an anonymous jury panel with a breadth of knowledge, perspectives, and experience in various cultural and artistic expressions. Primarily, the jury rates quality of work based on cohesive bodies of work that fully represent an artists’ vision, show a commitment and dedication to a studio practice, and demonstrate a strong case for how this residency will support an artist’s career at a pivotal moment.
Not all panelists are knowledgeable in all disciplines; therefore we ask that you contextualize your work through both the questions and the metadata fields of the application.
Do you accept multimedia work samples?
Yes, we recognize that still imagery does not best reflect the artistic work of many installation artists and we encourage video submissions or a composite image of detailed shots from various angles of a single piece (please do not submit a composite image of multiple works).
Yes, we recognize that still imagery does not best reflect the artistic work of many installation artists and we encourage video submissions or a composite image of detailed shots from various angles of a single piece (please do not submit a composite image of multiple works).
Example of composite image
Is there a suggested size limit for image and video submissions?
All digital images should be high quality images, not to exceed 1 MB in size. Video clips should be no longer than one minute, and not exceed 20 MB in size.
I am unable to submit an online application via Submittable.
Please contact Trécha Jheneall, Artist-Centered Programs Associate, at [email protected] for assistance. We do not want anyone to be deterred from applying by online accessibility barriers.
Does the Center offer an ADA-compliant environment?
Yes, the Center strives to be an inclusive and welcoming gathering place for artists and guests. With that in mind, we are working to increase accessibility at the Center. All buildings on campus have ADA-accessible entry and exit points as well as bathrooms. Our studio building entrances are equipped with automatic door openers, as is one of our studios. The staff is ready to work with each artist to ensure accessibility on our campus and in the program. Once an artist has been accepted into the program, there will be an opportunity to discuss accessibility considerations in detail during the intake process.
The Center welcomes ADA-trained service animals, but we would appreciate advance notice to determine if allergies exist within the cohort and how best to accommodate all, including any needs of the animal. While ADA-trained service animals are welcome on campus, pets are not permitted. Service animals must be up to date with flea/tick/heartworm medication and vaccinations (rabies, etc.)
You are encouraged to reach out to us with any further questions: [email protected].
Is there an information session to learn more about the application process?
The Joan Mitchell Center will hold both an onsite info session on Tuesday, April 23 at 11am CT AND a virtual info session on Wednesday, April 24 at 3pm CT. We will also be hosting onsite and virtual 1-on-1 application support sessions the week of May 13th and May 20th. Please contact program associate Trécha Gay Jheneall at [email protected] if you are interested in signing up.
Other questions?
If all of the information above has not answered your questions, or has created more, or if for any reason you are hesitating to apply, please contact us at [email protected]. Staff will respond to emails within 3 business days when time permits. Due to the volume of applications, calls are discouraged.
