2025-2026 Fellowship and AIR Application

Associated Residency Program

Deadline: February 2nd, 9:00 PM PST

How to apply: please review the application guidelines at https://www.kala.org/residencies/fellowship-program/application-guidelines/

A Full Fellowship Application Includes:

  • Completed application questions
  • Artist resumé or CV
  • Work samples, up to 15 images, and/or 5 minutes of video
  • Two References
  • $25 Application Fee

Kala Fellowship is an artist residency for international, national, and local artists producing innovative work in and across multiple media. For over 30 years, Kala Art Institute has provided artists with equipment, time, space, and financial support for their work through Kala Fellowship. In 2025, Kala will support up to 6 artists with a $3000 stipend, 1 month of housing for artists outside of the 9 Bay Area counties, 24/7 access to Kala’s facilities for 1-9 months, a Kala class or workshop, and a culminating group show in the Kala Gallery. The Fellowship is geared towards supporting artists in completing specific projects or bodies of work that would benefit from Kala’s specialized equipment.

New this year, artists can apply for the Fellowship, Artist-in-Residence Program, and Veterans Residency in one application! Find out more about residency experience and facilities here: https://www.kala.org/residencies/artist-in-residence-program-air/residency-experience/.

Artists can apply in one application at kala.slideroom.com for:

Fellowship 
Artist-in-Residence
Veterans Residency

Residency Resources: artists receive 24/7 access to a shared 8,000 square-foot print studio, digital lab, black and white darkroom, 600 square foot sculpture lab with woodworking tools, kiln, and sewing machines, and 3 individual artist project spaces (150 sq feet) available to visiting artists. Feel free to contact Leyla Rzayeva, Artist Residency Manager, at kalaair@kala.org with related questions to the application and artist opportunities at Kala.

Deadline
Residency Length
1 month - 9 months
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
65
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Animation
Art Education
Art History
Book Arts
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Film
Graphic Design
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Printmaking
Social Practice
Sound Art
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Visual Arts
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Stage of Career
Emerging
Mid-career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Other
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Meals Provided
No meals are provided
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Full Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Electric Kiln
Darkroom (Black And White)
Darkroom (Color)
Lighting Studio/Green Screen
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Large Format Scanner
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Aquatint Box
Hot Plates
Metal Plate Shear
Paper Soaking Sinks
Paper Tearing Table
Acid Room
Silkscreen Studio
Lithography Studio
Light Tables
Large Sinks
Large Exposure Unit
Washout Room
Floor Looms
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Type of Housing
Private housing off campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Additional Eligibility Information

Deadline: February 2nd, 9:00 PM PST

How to apply: please review the application guidelines at https://www.kala.org/residencies/fellowship-program/application-guidelines/

A Full Fellowship Application Includes:

  • Completed application questions
  • Artist resumé or CV
  • Work samples, up to 15 images and/or 5 minutes of video
  • Two References
  • $25 Application Fee

Artists can apply in one application at kala.slideroom.com for:

Fellowship 
Artist-in-Residence
Veterans Residency

Applicant Resources

How to Apply
Residency Experience
Kala Facilities
View the work of Fellowship alumni

Residency Resources: artists receive 24/7 access to a shared 8,000 square-foot print studio, digital lab, black and white darkroom, 600 square foot sculpture lab with woodworking tools, kiln, and sewing machines, and 3 individual artist project spaces (150 sq feet) available to visiting artists.

Accommodations: Kala offers shared artist housing located across the street from Kala’s facilities. Kala has two, two-bedroom apartments and can house 4 artist-in-residence each month.  Please note that Kala’s shared artist apartments are 2 bedroom apartments, meaning you will be living with a roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. The apartment cannot accommodate partners, co-parents, or children. There is a $200 non-refundable housing deposit which will be applied towards the residency costs. An alternative housing list is available that includes local community members who rent out space in their homes. In this case, artists are responsible for finding their housing.

Location description: The Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs. Kala Print Studio, 1060 Heinz AvenueBerkeley, CA 94710.

Please note:
– Students who will be enrolled in a degree-granting program in the 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible for the Fellowship. For questions about the online application guidelines, e-mail Artist Residency Manager, Leyla Rzayeva at kalaair@kala.org.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
150
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
400
Artist Stipend
3000
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
470
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

 

AIR  (Artist-in-Residence) Rates

1, 2, or 3-Month Part-Time Contract: $315 per month
3 days per week studio access

1, 2, or 3-Month Full-Time Contract: $470 per month
4 to 7 days per week studio access

2-week Full-Time Contract with Kala Housing included: $1,100 total

(Artists outside of the 9 Bay Area Counties)
- Subsidized artist housing $1200/month 4 weeks maximum
– Individual Project Space

Upon reservation, housing adds $1,200/month to the residency rates.

- all subsidized monthly residency rates can be found here
- 20% discount on Kala Classes for AIRs

Across all programs, Kala offers access to a community and network of approximately 75 artists working at Kala, participation in Kala events, and support of Kala staff.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
3000
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

 

Fellowship

$3000 Fellowship stipend
1-9 months 24/7 access to Kala’s facilities
1 month of free housing for fellows outside of the 9 Bay Area Counties
Free Kala Class or Workshop
Group Exhibition at Kala Gallery

Veterans Residency

- $1,000 stipend
- 1-4 months 24/7 access to Kala’s facilities
Free Kala Class or Workshop

Application Fee
25
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application