2026 Summer Program

About the Open Call

For eight decades, Skowhegan has offered artists the opportunity to engage within an experimental framework based on the idea of sharing knowledge and skills within and among artists. The 2026 Summer Program runs from June 6–August 8, 2026. During the nine-week program, artists working across all disciplines have the opportunity to live as a community of peers on Skowhegan’s 350-acre campus in rural Maine. Participants dedicate time to their studio practices while engaging in a collective learning process through a variety of skill-sharing and theoretical workshops, group and individual studio visits, performances, lectures, and reading groups. Based on a transversal open structure, Skowhegan creates a space where participants collaboratively design the program's contents alongside an international and distinguished group of residents and visiting artists who serve as faculty. In a continuously work-in-progress environment, which prioritizes process and exchange, each individual’s practice contributes to the collective experience, discussing what "making" means to artists. Skowhegan is an art school providing an open pedagogical structure where knowledge and skills are conveyed, but without formal courses or expectations regarding outcomes. It also functions as an art residency, hosting 60-65 participants each year who live and work side-by-side on campus. The program includes individual and group studio visits, experimental workshops, and lectures. Participants are free to manage their time and propose activities. At Skowhegan, participants are provided lodging, daily meals, studios, and workspaces. Facilities include a library, wood, metal, and basic ceramic shops, a fresco shop, a media lab for video, sound, and image editing, and a performance space. Internet access is limited. The campus features natural spaces, forests, pastures, and lakefront for art interventions and projects.

What is Offered

The program covers the cost of lodging, daily meals, and all aspects of the School program for the nine-week duration. Every accepted participant automatically receives a $10,000 merit scholarship towards the $16,000 tuition. Additional scholarship funds are available, with the practice that no accepted artist will be turned away for lack of funding for the remaining tuition portion. Participants are provided with individual studios and workspaces, access to large wood and metal shops with basic ceramic facilities, a media lab with editing software and recording equipment, a performance space, a fresco workshop, and a library with extensive art resources and a lecture archive. Grants toward travel expenses are provided for international applicants.

Requirements

Artists from all over the world and working in all disciplines are welcome to apply. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program; there is no maximum age. Some years of experience within their own practice are recommended to fully benefit from the program. Main requirements include experimentation, intellectual curiosity, demonstrated commitment to one's practice and inquiry, and the ability to collaborate and interact with peers. Participants must commit to the program for the full nine-week session (June 6–August 8, 2026); absences to fulfill other professional commitments are not permitted. A good knowledge of English is essential, as all lectures, workshops, and studio visits are conducted in English. Collective teams may apply, but only two members can attend the program.

How to Apply

The application process is conducted online at https://application2026.skowheganart.org/. Applicants should not send materials via email. The application period opens once a year in September and runs through mid-October. Candidates are encouraged to check the website regularly for updates or subscribe to receive emails. Typically, 10 images or 6 minutes of video work are requested, along with brief explanations and two references. Beginning in 2025, a brief video narrative introducing oneself and sharing artistic interests is also required. Application specifics may change, so applicants should review the guidelines each year. An application fee is required at submission, which increases throughout the application period ($20-$80 USD); applying early is recommended for the least expensive option. The fee cannot be waived. The 2026 application opens on Monday, September 1, 2025 (9:00 AM EST) and closes on Friday, October 17, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). All guidelines and FAQs should be reviewed carefully before submitting.