Kala's residency program serves over 150-170 artists annually. International, national, and local artists producing innovative work in printmaking, photography, digital media, film and video, sound, animation, media art installation, and book arts are encouraged to apply. Artists-in-Residence share space, equipment, techniques, and ideas and are a vital part of the Kala community.
How to apply: Please review the Kala Residency Program page which has a lot of helpful information http://www.kala.org/residencies/artist-in-residence-program-air/how-to-apply/.
A Full Application Includes:
- Completed application questions
- Artist resumé or CV
- Work samples, up to 5 images and/or 5 minutes of video
- Hardcopy or email submissions are not accepted
Artists who apply for a residency should be familiar with at least one of the media/equipment offered at Kala Print Studio, Digital Lab, darkroom, and other facilities: https://www.kala.org/residencies/facilities/
Residency Resources: artists receive 24/7 access to a shared 8,000-square-foot Print Studio, equipment, digital lab, black and white darkroom, and 3 individual artist project spaces (150 sq feet each available to visiting artists). Kala offers subsidized contract residency rates for different working needs and artist experiences!
Criteria: The selection panel considers skills in the proposed project area that match the resources available at Kala, along with artistic and conceptual strengths. Examples of the proposed printmaking or digital media are highly encouraged in the application. Applications are reviewed by Kala’s Co-Director, Artist Residency Manager, Print Studio Manager, and Digital Lab Technician.
In Kala’s Print Studio and Digital Lab, artists work independently or collaboratively without staff assistance. Staff will provide basic orientations, which include information about functionality, tips & tricks, and individual “personalities” of our presses, machinery, and processes in the studio. If you are new to a piece of equipment or a technical process, we encourage you to take a class to gain proficiency.
Kala offers housing in two shared artist apartments: each unit is a 2-bedroom shared apartment, meaning you will be living with a roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, at an additional subsidized fee of $1,200 per month. Please note that Kala’s shared apartments are limited to artists who reside outside of the Bay Area. Upon reservation, housing adds $1,200/month to the subsidized residency rates.
Kala Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs, a total of 52 steps. Feel free to reach out to Artist Residency Manager at leyla@kala.org or by phone at T:510.549.2977 x 303 Mon-Thu 9 am - 5 pm PT with any questions. If stairs present an access issue for you, please let the staff know.
New this year:
CCA Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Residency at Kala
Are you a recent graduate from CCA (California College for the Arts) with a bachelor's degree within the past 3 years? Eligibility: Open to CCA alumni working in printmaking with priority given to Print Media Majors. MFA graduates and current graduate students are not eligible.
Hamaguchi Residency includes up to 9 months of part-time studio residency at Kala Art Institute for Bay Area-based artists with access to Kala's studio or one-month full-time artist residency with housing provided for artists based outside of the Bay Area.
Answer Question #12 in the application to be considered for the Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Residency at Kala.
Veterans Artist Residency Program
This year Kala Veterans Artist Residency Program provides artist residencies to California-based Veteran artists. In 2024-2025 the Veterans AIR Program is generously supported by the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund.
Veterans AIR Program includes a cash award: of $1,000; 1-4 months of studio residency with 24/7 access to our communal studio spaces, one Kala class; access to a community and network of approximately 75 artists working at Kala, participation in Kala events, and support of Kala staff.
Answer Questions #13 & 14 in the application to be considered for the Veterans Artist Residency Program.
Questions: connect with the Artist Residency Manager at kalaair@kala.org
Keep in touch on social media @kalaartinstitute and through the weekly newsletter!
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
How to apply: Please review the Kala Residency Program page which has a lot of helpful information http://www.kala.org/residencies/artist-in-residence-program-air/how-to-apply/.
A Full Application Includes:
- Completed application questions
- Artist resumé or CV
- Work samples, up to 5 images and/or 5 minutes of video
- Hardcopy or email submissions are not accepted
Artists who apply for a residency should be familiar with at least one of the media/equipment offered at Kala Print Studio, Digital Lab, darkroom, and other facilities: https://www.kala.org/residencies/facilities/
Kala’s Artist Residency Apartments: Kala offers housing in two shared artist apartments: each unit is a 2-bedroom shared apartment, meaning you will be living with a roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, at an additional subsidized fee of $1,200 per month. Please note that Kala’s shared apartments are limited to artists who reside outside of the Bay Area. Upon reservation, housing adds $1,200/month to the residency rates.
Kala offers contract rates for different working needs and artist experiences! New artists-in-residence can sign up for 1, 2, or 3-month-long contracts. Individual artists can choose to do a full-time residency (up to 7 days/week) or part-time (up to 3 days/week) with 24/7 access to the print studio for individual artists. A collaborative rate option is also available.
All residencies are highly subsidized and are made possible through generous donations from foundations and individuals.
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
Full-time studio access and Kala’s shared artist apartments are available to artists who reside outside the Bay Area.
Emerging AIR Residency
For artists who have graduated from a BA, BFA, or MFA program in the last 24 months, Kala is pleased to provide a discounted residency rate to artists for one year after graduation. Rates are $200 per month for a part-time 1, 2, or 3-month contract ($1400 per month w/ Kala housing included), and $400 per month for a full-time contract ($1600 per month w/ Kala housing included)
Senior AIR Residency
Artists (65+ years of age) will receive a $25 monthly discount on all residency rates.
CCA Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Residency at Kala
Are you a recent graduate from CCA (California College for the Arts) with a bachelor's degree within the past 3 years?
Eligibility: Open to CCA alumni working in printmaking with priority given to Print Media Majors. MFA graduates and current graduate students are not eligible.
Up to 9 months of part-time studio residency at Kala Art Institute for Bay Area-based artists with access to Kala's studio or one-month full-time artist residency with housing provided for artists based outside of the Bay Area.
Answer Question #12 in the application to be considered for the Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Residency at Kala.
Veterans Artist Residency Program
This year Kala Veterans Artist Residency Program provides artist residencies to California-based Veteran artists. In 2024-2025 the Veterans AIR Program is generously supported by the California Arts Council through the Impact Projects grant.
Veterans AIR Program includes a cash award: of $1,000; 1-4 months of studio residency with 24/7 access to our communal studio spaces, one Kala class; access to a community and network of approximately 75 artists working at Kala, participation in Kala events, and support of Kala staff.
Answer Questions #13 & 14 in the application to be considered for the Veterans Artist Residency Program.