About the Open Call

Montello Foundation is a foundation dedicated to support artists who foster our understanding of nature, its fragility and our need to protect it. The application deadline for the summer 2026 residency season is January 18th, 2026. To be notified of our upcoming opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter on the contact page. The artist retreat at the Montello Foundation is meant to be a retreat from the urban environment. It will provide a new perspective for residents’ work and give residents space and time for undisturbed experimentation and reflection for two weeks. Eligibility: We are accepting national and international applications. Fee: There is no fee for artists to stay at the retreat, but artists are responsible for their travel expenses and for their meals. Duration of Residency: A residency is always for two weeks. Notification of Acceptance: The notifications regarding the summer 2026 applications will go out by the beginning of March 2026. Selection of work: The panel will look at your work with these guidelines: First, the quality of the work. Then, the relevance to the idea of the Montello Foundation: is it work which increases our understanding of nature, its fragility and our need to protect it? And also at the artist's commitment to get the word out. Is the artist working on shows in non-profit spaces? Does the artist organizes him- or herself events/happenings/exhibitions? Also please keep in mind that we are not looking work for an exhibition, we are looking artists with a strong voice, so if you had a long career, please show also older work and not just your latest, though you might be the most excited about it now. Application Form: please fill out the application form and save it with your last and first name and __app_ as a pdf, for example: Smith_Jane_app.pdf Here you specify your preferred time and when you would be available. The 2026 season is from May 2nd until November 7th. Fee: please go to the donate page and transfer $20. Thank you! Artist statement: please provide us with a 500 word maximum artist statement, saved with your last and first name and __statement_ as a pdf, for example: Smith_Jane_statement.pdf First, briefly describe your art practice. Then, if it is not obvious, tell the jury what they are looking at or listening to. We encourage the residents to explore and listen, but if you have a specific project in mind, please tell us about it. Bio: please provide us with a one page bio or CV, saved with your last and first name and __bio_ as a pdf, for example: Smith_Jane_bio.pdf Digital Images: please send up to 8 digital images using the following specifications: File name: labeled with your last and first name, for example: Smith_Jane01.jpg, Smith_Jane02.jpg, Smith_Jane03.jpg Dimensions: 2000 pixels x 2000 pixels (about) Resolution: 72 dpi (medium resolution) File size: No larger than 2.0 MB (each image) File format: .jpg It is not ok to send a pdf portfolio, the images have to be individual files. Video Work: please provide a link in the Image Check List and indicate the lenght of the clip in the dimension part and whether it is an excerpt of a longer work. For sections of longer videos, please give a brief summary of the entire video on your Statement page. If your video contains music, the composer and performer(s) must be credited. Writers, Performing Artists and Composers: due to the fact that we are running a fairly small program, we will have only one panel to judge the submissions and the members of the panel will be mainly visual artists and curators. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. It just means that you will have to convince them with your art form. Writers please submit 2 shorter samples (not more than 1500 words and excerpts are permissible) and 2 longer ones (with a synopsis prefacing them). Performers please submit video links on the Image Check List. Composers please provide links to samples on the Image Check List. Check List: please fill out the image check list and save it with your last and first name and __list_ as a pdf, for example: Smith_Jane_list.pdf Send: please email all the files to info@montellofoundation.org. You should get a confirmation email, please let us know if you don't. Collaborators: you can certainly apply as collaborators, but keep in mind that the retreat provides only one bed with bedding. There is an air matress as well, but please bring your own bedding. Have a look at the floorplan on the Building page to understand the layout. Please fill then out one application form but provide a bio for each member or the bio for the collective and mark the collaborator(s) box. The images and statement should be just one. Family Members/Pets: We won't be checking whether you bring family members or partners, but we strongly encourage you to have the retreat as a solitary experience. If you do bring family, please be advised that the desert environment might be hard on small children and the maximum number of occupants at any given time is 4. And please bring your own blankets for your hairy friends. Financial Support: unfortunately we are not able to provide any financial support at this time, however we would be happy to assist you with materials for your own fundraising. Questions: please email us at info@montellofoundation.org.

What is Offered

A two-week artist retreat providing space for undisturbed experimentation and reflection. Assistance with fundraising materials can be provided, though no direct financial support is offered.

Requirements

Applicants must be national or international artists. Selection criteria include the quality of the work, its relevance to fostering an understanding of nature, its fragility, and the artist's commitment to dissemination (e.g., shows in non-profit spaces, organizing events). Collaborators are accepted but the retreat offers one bed; family members and pets are permitted with conditions, but a solitary experience is encouraged.

How to Apply

To apply, artists must fill out the application form (save as 'Last_First_app.pdf'), pay a $20 application fee via the donate page, and provide a 500-word artist statement (save as 'Last_First_statement.pdf'), a one-page bio or CV (save as 'Last_First_bio.pdf'), up to 8 digital images (.jpg, 2000x2000 pixels, 72 dpi, max 2.0 MB each), and an image check list (save as 'Last_First_list.pdf'). Video work, writers' samples, performers' videos, and composers' samples should be linked or submitted according to specific guidelines. All files should be emailed to info@montellofoundation.org.