Call for 2026 Bresler Resident Artists + Montgomery College Collaborative AiR

About the Open Call

The Fleur and Charles Bresler Artist Residency invites applications and proposals from local, national, and international artists for a four-month residency at VisArts studios in Rockville, Maryland. The residency offers three dynamic individual artists or collaborative artist groups time, space, financial support, and a unique opportunity to create new work, evolve existing work, or develop projects in a stimulating, supportive environment. Bresler Residents present their work in solo exhibitions at VisArts, receive studio space free of charge, and are provided a $2,000 stipend (paid over 4 months). The Bresler Residency encourages interaction, dialogue, experimentation, and exploration within the VisArts artist community and the local community. Residents are encouraged to initiate in-person and/or online outreach with the VisArts and greater Rockville communities, engaging diverse audiences and local resources. September 2026 – January 2027 Bresler Residency + Montgomery College Collaborative Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Partnership: During this specific residency period, the selected artist or artist team will be embedded in the Rockville and Germantown Montgomery College Art Departments and receive an additional $3,000 stipend. General Bresler Residency Terms: Residents are expected to work in the VisArts studio for a minimum of 16 hours/week, attend monthly gatherings of VisArts Studio Artists, welcome the public during open studios, attend artist talks and opening receptions, present an artist talk/workshop/screening/public event, and participate in the annual Bresler Residency exhibition. Covid safety measures must be followed. Bresler Residency + Montgomery College Collaborative AiR Program Terms: This is a three-week program where a professional artist is embedded in the Montgomery College Art Departments to work directly with students. Students engage in creating artwork for public installation as part of a collaboration with peers, faculty, and the artist. The college encourages proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and foundation-level students. A project stipend of $3,000 is available for the three-week AiR, covering transportation, installation, and compensation. Student materials for collaboration are supported through a separate budget up to $1,000. Housing and travel are not provided. The artist will guide students through a direct, hands-on collaborative project culminating in an installation in the Sarah Silberman Gallery and will present their own creative work to the MC community. Artist-student contact hours are a minimum of 15-20 hours a week for three weeks.

What is Offered

Free studio space, $2,000 stipend (plus an additional $3,000 for the MC Collaborative AiR), solo exhibitions, opportunity to create new work, community engagement, professional development, and collaboration with students for the AiR.

Requirements

Qualified applicants are professional individual artists or collaborative artist groups over the age of 18; the program is not designed for undergraduate students or commercial artists. Artists working in all media are welcome to apply, but hazardous materials requiring specific ventilation are not supported. Bresler Residents must work in the VisArts studio for a minimum of 16 hours/week, attend monthly gatherings, welcome the public during open studios, present an artist talk/workshop/public event, and participate in the annual Bresler Residency exhibition. For the Collaborative AiR, artists must be available during scheduled class times for 15-20 hours a week for three weeks, engaging students in collaborative projects. Application requires submission of work images, list of works, resume/CV, artist bio, artist statement, three references, and a detailed project proposal for the chosen residency type.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit: up to seven images of work produced during the last three years (jpgs, pdfs, or time-based media, max 10 mins total), a numbered list of artworks, a Resume/CV (highlighting community engagement for MC Collaborative-AiR applicants), an Artist Bio (max 100 words), an Artist Statement (max 100 words), and three References (with at least one speaking to experience working with students/community for MC Collaborative-AiR applicants). Additionally, a Bresler Residency Proposal (max 250 words) describing the project, goals, and community engagement ideas is required. Applicants for the Bresler + Montgomery College Collaborative AiR Program must submit all Bresler Residency application materials, plus a detailed proposal for a three-week residency, including how the project expands students’ scope and experience, the students' role, and the project outcome. This includes a detailed project title, future plans for collaborative artwork, a proposed list of materials/equipment (including for students), and up to five supplemental support materials.