The Steel Yard: Year-Long Artist Residency

Associated Residency Program

The Steel Yard’s residency program can assist you in growing and strengthening your creative industrial art practice. Residents receive an all-access pass to our 10,000 square foot studio, tools, resources, and community. All participants should display experience, and an avid interest, within their media and a desire to work in a community studio.

The Steel Yard supports artists working in the industrial-arts: ceramics, welding, blacksmithing, jewelry, or the foundry arts. We offer short term and long term residency options; ranging from one month to one year. 

Accepted residents have access to studios, tools, space, and community. They are invited to take, or teach, courses, attend critiques, participate in exhibitions, vend at art markets, be paid to design and fabricate public art work, and be part of a vibrant community of makers.

Residents will be required to sign a contract detailing responsibilities, privileges, studio access, and safety procedures. Residents will also be expected to contribute 5 hours of work time to the department monthly, and to participate in organizational fundraisers and departmental clean ups. Upon completion of their term, residents should expect to provide the Steel Yard with 5 images of the work created during their term, or as a direct result of their time at the Yard.

 

 

Deadline
Residency Length
1 year - 2 years
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
9
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Blacksmithing
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Sculpture
Companions
Pets (Non-service animals)
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Stage of Career
Any 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
Lead workshop for fellow residents
Lead a skill share
Other
Accessible Housing
N/A
Meals Provided
N/A
Studios/Special Equipment
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Full Time
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Ceramics Workspace
Electric Wheels
Kick Wheels
Slab Roller
Clay Mixers
Plaster Room
Raku Kiln
Electric Kiln
Gas Kiln
Dedicated Metal Shop
Plasma Cutter
Heavy Metals / Blacksmithing
Fine Metals / Jewelry Making
Jeweler’s Bench
Anvils, Stakes + Hammers
Hydraulic Press
Soldering Workspace
Gas/Oxy Torches
Acetylene/Air Torches
Soldering Picks+Tweezers
Solderite Boards
Bench Grinder
Buffing Machine
Enameling Kilns
Electroforming + Etching Room
Metal Plate Shear
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Type of Housing
N/A
Additional Eligibility Information

Applications are reviewed by an external committee of artists, academics, curators, and non-profit professionals. The committee considers the following metrics when viewing applications: the artistic merit of submitted work, the alignment of the application with organizational mission and values, applicant’s desire to be part of a community, applicant’s ability to work safely and independently in the studio, and building a diverse cohort of makers.

We encourage applicants to attend, or view, the Residency Info Session before applying. Read and review the Resident Program Handbook for complete guidelines & expectations.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Year-long cohort open on December 1st, 2024. The deadline for applications is March 1st, 2025 at 11:59 pm. 

The Steel Yard is committed to diversity and inclusion. It is the policy of the Steel Yard that there shall be no discrimination with respect to the selection of the artist in residence because of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender, age, physical limitations or military status.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
7
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
31
Artist Stipend
500
US Dollar (USD)
375
US Dollar (USD)
250
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

The Steel Yard provides free residency opportunities to ensure that participation in the program is financially accessible to all artists. We also offer paid fellowships in the form of fellowship and workshare opportunities. Stipends for year-long fellowships range from $250 to $500 a month. 

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

The Steel Yard provides free residency opportunities to ensure that participation in the program is financially accessible to all artists. We also offer paid fellowships in the form of fellowship and workshare opportunities. Stipends for year-long fellowships range from $250 to $500 a month. 

Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application