Associated Residency Program
Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts facilitates the creation, presentation, and understanding of contemporary art through an international residency program, exhibitions, and educational programs. Located in the historic Old Market, Omaha’s arts and culture district, Bemis Center serves a critical role in the presentation and understanding of contemporary art, bridging the community of Omaha to a global discourse surrounding cultural production today.
Bemis Center’s core mission has always been to provide artists from around the world dedicated time, space, and resources to conduct research and to create new work across conceptual, material, performative, and social practices. The independently driven atmosphere and communal environment encourage creative growth, experimentation, confrontation of challenges, and cultivation of new ideas. To date, more than 1,000 artists have participated in the residency program.
Url/web link to application
Residency Eligibility
Residency Length
8 weeks - 3 months
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
12
Discipline
Architecture
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Costume/Fashion Design
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Printmaking
Public Art
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Residency Experience Summary
Accessibility Statement/Info Page
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Full Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Piano
Ceramics Workspace
Electric Wheels
Slab Roller
Plaster Room
Electric Kiln
Dedicated Metal Shop
Plasma Cutter
Anvils, Stakes + Hammers
Soldering Workspace
Gas/Oxy Torches
Acetylene/Air Torches
Bench Grinder
Casting Room
Lighting Studio/Green Screen
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Music/Media Studio Non-recording
Music/Media/Recording Facilities
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Floor Looms
Drying Room
Well-ventilated Spray Room
Washer And Dryer
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Router Table
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Application Information
Additional Eligibility Information
Residency opportunities are open to national and international artists 21+ years of age showing a strong professional working history. A variety of disciplines are accepted including, but not limited to, visual arts, media/new genre, performance, architecture, film/video, literature, interdisciplinary arts, music composition, and choreography.
Bemis residency alumni are allowed to re-apply after a five-year hiatus from the program.
Artists enrolled in an academic program during the time of the residency opportunity are not eligible to apply.
Small collaborative groups are eligible to apply. Please note, if selected, Bemis Center is only able to accommodate two members of a collaborative group to attend the residency and live on-site.
Bemis welcomes international artists to apply. Working knowledge of English is helpful as Bemis Center is unable to offer an interpreter.
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
35
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
1000
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Type
Open application
