Four Artist Opportunities Everyone Is Applying to Right Now
- Art Dealer Street
- Jan 12
- 2 min read
January is one of the most competitive months in the application calendar, and for good reason. Many of the year’s most respected residencies and fellowships open or close early, offering artists rare access to funding, facilities, mentorship, and long-term studio support.
This week’s selection focuses on four of the most sought-after opportunities currently open — programs that are consistently shared, widely discussed, and highly competitive due to their reputation, resources, and career impact. If you’re planning to apply to just a few opportunities this season, these are strong places to start.
Read through and find the opportunity that aligns with your vision, scale, and current direction.
1. NXTHVN Studio & Curatorial Fellowships Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA Application Deadline:Â March 2, 2026
NXTHVN offers a paid, 10-month fellowship for early-career visual artists and curators, built around mentorship, professional development, and community engagement. Fellows receive studio space, a stipend, and are paired with a high-school apprentice for mutual learning and exchange.
The program is known for its strong alumni network and for providing meaningful support at a critical stage in an artist’s career. NXTHVN regularly attracts national and international attention, making it one of the most competitive fellowships in the U.S.
2. Arts/Industry Residency — John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Application Deadline:Â February 28, 2026
This three-month residency places artists inside Kohler Co.’s industrial pottery and foundry facilities, offering access to professional equipment, materials, and technical expertise rarely available outside of industry.
The residency includes housing, transportation, and a monthly honorarium, allowing artists to focus fully on research and production. It is especially well suited to artists working in ceramics, sculpture, installation, and process-driven practices.
3. Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program (2026–2027)
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program awards year-long studio residencies to visual artists in Brooklyn. The program provides dedicated workspace and the opportunity to develop sustained bodies of work within a focused, independent studio environment.
Highly competitive and well respected, this program is especially appealing to artists seeking stability, time, and space in New York City without the pressure of constant production or exhibition requirements.
4. Haystack Mountain School of Crafts — Open Studio Residency
Location: Deer Isle, Maine, USA
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
As part of its 75th anniversary season, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts offers Open Studio Residencies across disciplines including ceramics, glass, fiber, metals, wood, graphics, and writing.
Artists work in a collaborative, experimental environment with access to professional facilities and a strong international community of makers. Tuition and housing fees vary by program, and fellowships are available. Haystack remains one of the most recognized craft institutions worldwide.
These opportunities are popular for a reason — they offer more than short-term visibility. They provide time, structure, and resources that can shape an artist’s practice for years to come.
If you’re applying this month, be strategic. Choose the programs that align with your medium, your working style, and where you want your practice to go next. Prepare strong work samples, write clearly, and submit with confidence.