Residencies in New Orleans

Residencies at the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans have provided more than 290 artists the time and space for artistic contemplation and experimentation.

Artist Louise Mouton Johnson working at a sewing machine in her studio at the Joan Mitchell Center. She is surounded on the walls by patterned paper and fabric framed works. — Louise Mouton Johnson in her studio at the Joan Mitchell Center, 2018. © Reginald Eldridge, Jr.

Overview

At the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans, we offer artists dedicated time and space for the creative process through 6 or 14 week residencies. Artists have opportunities to engage with arts professionals, partner arts organizations, and others in the community.

Eligible artists must either be based in New Orleans (for the last five years) or native to New Orleans, or be a former grant recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation based anywhere in the United States. Former Artists-in-Residence of the Center are not eligible to apply, with the exception of the JMF Early Art Practitioners (EAP).

The residency application period for 2024 residencies was open from June 5 to July 31, 2023 and is now closed.

Selected artists will receive:

A private studio at the Center for either 6 weeks or 14 weeks
Weekday communal meals
A $150 weekly stipend
A range of professional development and public engagement opportunities

Current & Past Residents

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Eligibility & Selection Process

ELIGIBILITY

Artists applying from New Orleans must have lived in New Orleans as your primary residence for the last 5 years (Orleans and Jefferson residents will be considered) OR be a New Orleans native.

Artists applying from outside of New Orleans must be a past recipient of 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. Please note that current Joan Mitchell Fellows are not eligible to apply.

In addition, all applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be 21+ years of age.
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, with the exception of the Early Art Practitioner (EAP) residencies.
Must not be enrolled as a student in any degree-granting art program during the residency period.
Be committed to be present and active for the duration of the residency cycle and participate in the professional development and studio visit consultations.
Need a professional workspace to support a studio practice.
Complete and submit an application.

Application & Selection Process

During the application period, a link is available on this page for New Orleans-based artists. The link for former Joan Mitchell Foundation grant recipients to apply was emailed directly to all alumni artists on June 5. Guidelines & FAQs for all eligible applicants are also linked below.
Applicants are asked to submit a bio, artist statement, up to eight work samples, a list of three professional references, and an explanation of how their practice would benefit from the residency experience.
Applications for 2024 residencies must be submitted by Monday, July 31, 2023 at noon CT. The application period for 2024 residencies is now closed.
Applications will be reviewed by a jury of artists and arts professionals. Selected artists will be notified in the Fall.
For more information or support with the application process, please contact [email protected].

My residency at the Joan Mitchell Center was an experience that exceeded my expectations on many levels. The connections and reconnections that I formed during my residency were numerous.”

LOUISE MOUTON JOHNSON, NEW ORLEANS

Studios at dusk - a modern siding-clad one-story building with four peaked studio roofs with warm light glowing from the skylights. — Joan Mitchell Center studio building.

About the Joan Mitchell Center

To complement its grant programs and deepen its relationships with artists, in 2015 the Foundation opened the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans to host both national and local artists in residencies. The Foundation’s decision to locate the residency program in New Orleans was, in part, a continuation of its commitment to the city’s creative community following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Center is a retreat for artists in a city rich with creative energy and cultural histories.

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