Riding the Wave of New Art Opportunities This Week
- Art Dealer Street
- Oct 19
- 4 min read
In a world where art increasingly transcends boundaries—geographic, disciplinary, and ideological—opportunities that expand creative reach are more vital than ever. This week’s roundup highlights four unique calls that invite artists and scholars into transformative settings: from immersive residencies in the Berkshires and Brooklyn to cross-disciplinary collaboration in Colorado and a prestigious research fellowship in Washington, D.C.
Each opportunity offers more than exposure—it offers space. Space to reflect, make, experiment, and be challenged. The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York, for instance, places artists in a dynamic dialogue with curators and peers from around the globe. At MASS MoCA, artists create in the shadow of one of America’s largest contemporary art museums. At Anderson Ranch, the emphasis is on community and rigor, nestled in the mountains of Colorado. And in Washington, D.C., the Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship offers one scholar a one-month deep dive into the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s research collections and professional networks.
1. The Studios at MASS MoCA: Artist-in-Residence Program Location: North Adams, Massachusetts, USA
Application Deadline: November 02, 2025
Located on the campus of one of the largest contemporary art museums in the U.S., the Studios at MASS MoCA offers artists time and space to create in a focused, supportive environment. Residencies range from 2 to 8 weeks and include private studios, housing, daily meals, and access to MASS MoCA’s vast galleries and archives. Each session is curated to encourage cross-disciplinary exchange among 10–12 peers. The program supports artists working in all disciplines and stages of their careers. Residents also benefit from optional studio visits with museum staff and outside curators, as well as engagement opportunities with local schools and the community. The cost of the residency is subsidized, and need-based financial aid is available. With its immersive setting and the backdrop of MASS MoCA’s artistic ecosystem, the program is ideal for artists seeking space to experiment and deepen their practice.
2. The Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship – Smithsonian American Art Museum
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) invites applications for the Audrey Flack Short-Term Fellowship, which awards one scholar a fully funded one-month residency at the museum’s Research and Scholars Center. The fellowship includes a stipend of $5,000 plus a travel allowance (up to $1,000) for relocation to Washington. During the residency (to be scheduled between June 2026 and May 2027), the fellow receives a Smithsonian ID badge and dedicated study space on-site, with behind-the-scenes access to the museum’s collections and libraries. They will have opportunities to share their research with other SAAM fellows through lunchtime seminars and professional development events, gaining valuable feedback and networking within an academic museum community. This prestigious fellowship is open to predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior scholars from outside the D.C. area – particularly those unable to participate in longer-term residencies. With its focused format and unparalleled resources, the Audrey Flack Fellowship is an ideal opportunity for a researcher looking to deepen their work on American art in a concentrated, resource-rich setting.
3. ISCP – International Studio & Curatorial Program
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Application Deadline: October 30, 2025
One of the most respected residency programs in the United States, ISCP brings together over 30 artists and curators each year from around the world. Housed in a converted factory building in Brooklyn, the program offers 24/7 access to private studios, shared facilities, and a robust public program including Open Studios, artist talks, and exhibitions. Residents receive critical support from ISCP staff, visiting professionals, and an international network of alumni. The environment is intensely interdisciplinary, fostering both focused studio practice and dialogue with curators, critics, and fellow residents. While the program is fee-based, substantial grants and sponsorships are available for eligible applicants. ISCP is best suited for artists with an interest in international exchange, critical feedback, and developing their visibility within the New York art ecosystem.
4. Anderson Ranch Arts Center – Artists-in-Residence
Location: Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA
Application Deadline: February 18, 2026
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, offers a fully funded 5-week residency for 14 visual artists in spring and fall 2026. Residents receive housing, meals, a private studio, and access to world-class facilities in disciplines such as ceramics, photography, sculpture, digital fabrication, printmaking, and painting. The program fosters experimentation, cross-pollination of ideas, and intensive studio time, with visiting critics and community engagement as key components. It’s designed for emerging and mid-career artists seeking to push their practice forward in a collaborative, supportive, and resource-rich setting. Surrounded by natural beauty and creative energy, this residency has become a transformative experience for many.
In the life of an artist, time and space are currencies more precious than gold. The four opportunities above don’t just offer visibility or accolades—they provide rare conditions for deep focus, risk-taking, and reinvention. Whether you're drawn to the creative density of Brooklyn, the academic quiet of the Berkshires, the high-altitude inspiration of Colorado, or the rich research environment of Washington, D.C., each program offers an invitation to expand—not just your CV, but your thinking.
These programs exist to nurture artists, not products. They prioritize inquiry, process, and cross-cultural conversation. If you’ve been feeling stuck, craving input, or simply needing an environment that helps your work evolve, this could be the moment to take the leap. Read the details. Know the themes. Craft applications that connect your work to the ethos of the program.
The right opportunity doesn’t just reshape your portfolio—it reshapes your practice. Apply boldly. Create freely. Let the next phase begin.
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