MASS MoCA: Early Application for 2026 Residencies

Associated Residency Program

The Studios is MASS MoCA’s artist and writers residency program situated within the museum’s factory campus and surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Operated by MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists program, the residency runs year-round and hosts up to 10 artists at a time. Artists of any nationality can apply for stays of 2-4 weeks.

We offer great studio space and housing (private rooms in shared apartments), one  meal per day, member-access to MASS MoCA's galleries, and access to professional development webinars though our "Assets for Artists" program. 

The special “early application” opportunity (offered twice per year, Dec. 8 – Feb. 8 and June 8 – Aug. 8) is strictly for artists who could benefit from additional lead time to plan their stay, with announcements typically made 9 months – 15 months before the session being awarded, making it easier to apply for outside funding from sources such as a university employer or an international or regional arts council.

Artists applying via the Early Application will NOT be considered for MASS MoCA’s financial aid budget or fellowships, so you should only use the Early Application if you are confident of being able to secure the funds to pay at our full rate of $650 per week. A limited number of Early Application slots are available each season, so this is also a highly competitive process, even though the overall number of early applicants is much lower. Having an appropriate and likely-to-be-successful funding plan is critical.

If offered a residency from the early application process, you will receive a formal letter of invitation to support any grant-writing efforts. A 50% deposit is due no later than 6 months prior to the start of your residency session, so select your preferred dates accordingly. If you are unsuccessful in securing the necessary funds to attend, then you can give up the slot without penalty up until 6 months prior to the start of your residency while there is still time for us to award the slot to someone on our waitlist.

Deadline
Residency Length
2 weeks - 4 weeks
Languages
English
Spanish
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
10
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Animation
Augmented Reality
Book Arts
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Fiction
Film
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Translation
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Writing
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
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Hydraulic Press
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Easels
Printmaking Workspaces
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Large Sinks
Textiles Workspace
Floor Looms
Fiber Arts Workspace
Washer And Dryer
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Type of Housing
Private housing off campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Additional Eligibility Information

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR APPLICATION PROCESS HERE
 

EARLY APPLICATION

The special “early application” opportunity (offered twice per year, Dec. 8 – Feb. 8 and June 8 – Aug. 8) is strictly for artists who could benefit from additional lead time to plan their stay, with announcements typically made 9 months – 15 months before the session being awarded, making it easier to apply for outside funding from sources such as a university employer or an international or regional arts council.

Artists applying via the Early Application will NOT be considered for MASS MoCA’s financial aid budget or fellowships, so you should only use the Early Application if you are confident of being able to secure the funds to pay at our full rate of $650 per week. A limited number of Early Application slots are available each season, so this is also a highly competitive process, even though the overall number of early applicants is much lower. Having an appropriate and likely-to-be-successful funding plan is critical.

If offered a residency from the early application process, you will receive a formal letter of invitation to support any grant-writing efforts. A 50% deposit is due no later than 6 months prior to the start of your residency session, so select your preferred dates accordingly. If you are unsuccessful in securing the necessary funds to attend, then you can give up the slot without penalty up until 6 months prior to the start of your residency while there is still time for us to award the slot to someone on our waitlist.


 

Click on the link below to find more information and to view the application.
massmoca.org/studios

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
15
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
125
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
650
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Artists applying via the Early Application will NOT be considered for MASS MoCA’s financial aid budget or fellowships, so you should only use the Early Application if you are confident of being able to secure the funds to pay at our full rate of $650 per week. A limited number of Early Application slots are available each season, so this is also a highly competitive process, even though the overall number of early applicants is much lower. Having an appropriate and likely-to-be-successful funding plan is critical.

If offered a residency from the early application process, you will receive a formal letter of invitation to support any grant-writing efforts. A 50% deposit is due no later than 6 months prior to the start of your residency session, so select your preferred dates accordingly. If you are unsuccessful in securing the necessary funds to attend, then you can give up the slot without penalty up until 6 months prior to the start of your residency while there is still time for us to award the slot to someone on our waitlist.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application