BolsterArts Residency

About the Open Call

BolsterArts Residency offers two visual artists rent-free studio space in Chinatown, NYC, from September 1 - December 31, 2025. The program includes monthly one-on-one studio visits with curators, writers, or gallerists, an Open Studios event, and a concluding group exhibition at KAPOW gallery in Manhattan. Artists are selected based on merit by a professional jury, considering cohesion of work, work ethic, ambition, and willingness to take risks. The shared studio is 360 sq ft, on the fourth floor of a walk-up, with 24/7 access. Artists are responsible for their own housing, materials, and spending a minimum of 20 hours/week in the studio, attending scheduled visits, maintaining the studio, and meeting with the residency director monthly. Fume/dust-producing materials and excessive noise are restricted. The residency does not offer financial assistance, stipends, or material support.

What is Offered

Rent-free studio space for four months (September 1 - December 31, 2025). Monthly one-on-one studio visits with curators, gallerists, and writers for professional development. Open Studio event. Concluding group exhibition at KAPOW gallery in December 2025. Networking opportunities with jurors and industry professionals.

Requirements

Artists must be 21 years or older. Artists may not be currently enrolled in a BFA or MFA program (graduates of Spring 2025 are eligible). Artists must be able to live in the United States during the residency and sustain living there (no visa assistance provided). Artists must not maintain a separate studio or participate in another residency during this program (home studios/subletting is acceptable). Collaborative duos are not eligible. Seeking bold, boundary-pushing visual artists eager to connect, with a strong understanding of their practice, and who are ambitious, fearless, and unafraid to take creative risks. Must be able to work well with others. Required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week in the studio, attend all scheduled studio visits and Open Studio events, maintain studio condition, and meet monthly with the residency director. Artists must provide and transport all materials and artwork at their own expense. Restrictions apply to fume/dust-producing materials, excessive noise, power tools, fire risk materials, pets, and groups of 3+ people in the studio.

How to Apply

Create a single PDF document (max 10MB, 12pt font, white background) titled 'FirstName_LastName_BolsterArtsResidency'. The PDF must include: Name, Email, Location; 10 Images (1 per page, with details; video links up to 1 min per film); 150-word Artist Statement; CV (max two pages); Two References (Name, Phone, Email). After creating the PDF, attach it to the online form and pay the $35 application fee to complete the submission. Fee waivers are available in dire cases upon emailing bolsterartsresidency@gmail.com. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted PDFs will be disqualified. No late or emailed applications accepted without prior technical difficulty notice. Top 10 finalists may be asked to submit additional materials or have an interview.