Artist Residencies in Key West, FL
The Studios of Key West, the premier arts organization at the Southernmost Point of the United States, offers a residency program for emerging and established artists and writers from around the world. We provide residencies to visual artists, writers, composers, musicians, media artists, performers, and interdisciplinary artists.
The program grants nearly 35 artists each year the time and space to imagine new artistic work, engage in valuable dialogue and explore island connections. The Studios’ residency program is community-based and built upon the hope that visiting artists will take inspiration from Key West’s rich artistic past and present, and will engage with — and be inspired by — the remarkable people and culture that surrounds them.
Key West’s official motto, “One Human Family” reflects our commitment to living together as caring, sharing neighbors dedicated to making our home as close to paradise as we can. To that end, we encourage artists of all races, nationalities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. Residencies are almost a full month, and run from the 16th of the month through the 14th of the next. The newly renovated guest house has 4 artist residencies including 1 ADA-accessible unit, with a shared kitchen, covered courtyard and lushly landscaped grounds.
Hundreds of writers and artists have since come to Key West through the Peyton Evans Artist Residency (PEAR) Program, many returning and several relocating permanently.
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Applications are evaluated by selection committees comprised of working artists and professionals in the applicants’ respective fields of discipline under the four categories: Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, and Musical Arts and Performing Arts. Acceptance to The Studios’ Peyton Evans Artist Residency (PEAR) Program is based on the merit of past work and the potential for creative, intellectual and personal growth through the time and space to imagine new artistic work, engage in valuable dialogue and explore island connections. For more information on qualifications and requirements, please visit our FAQ page, and if you need more information about supplementary materials to provide during the application process, you can download a guide here.
There is no fee for the residency once an artist has been accepted into the program. However, artists are responsible for their travel to Key West, as well as living expenses and incidentals. The Studios will provide a bike to get around the island once you are here.
Accessibility
Our main campus is fully accessible and includes access to an elevator. The PEAR House Residency has one ADA-accessible unit on the ground floor, as well as accessible courtyard and common areas. There are 3 residencies on the second floor that are not accessible for those in wheelchairs.
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Three residences on the second floor are not accessible. The shared spaces are completely accessible.
Housing & Accomodation
The PEAR House has recently undergone a $2M+ renovation, including three new resident spaces and one fully accessible unit. The facility also includes a shared laundry space, modern kitchen with large sliding doors open to the beautiful, spacious outdoor courtyard shaded by a massive banyan tree. It’s dripping with Key West history and character. The kitchen is well equipped, linens are provided. Most cell phones work fine and there is Wifi access. There are no televisions.
Studio & Facilities
The Studios of Key West is located at the former Scottish Rite Masonic Center at the corner of Simonton and Eaton Streets, renovated through generous donations in 2015. Built in 1951, it’s spacious, sturdy and suffused with light – an iconic piece of Miami Deco architecture located in the heart of downtown Key West, just one block from Duval Street.
This museum facility includes a 200 seat professional theater, museum galleries devoted to contemporary art, eight studios for practicing artists, and two dedicated classrooms. The rooftop, Hugh’s View, sits atop the three story building, providing space for outdoor programming such as concerts, plein air classes and more. The PEAR House, home of the Peyton Evans Artist Residencies program, is located just next door and recently underwent a $2M renovation. And most recently, The Studios acquired a woodshop space on Stock Island, a few miles north of the main campus, but with access to work tables, table saws and more, it's another way to provide working space to artists.
With dedicated creative spaces for exhibitions, performances, instruction and art making, and housing artist residencies, our facilities offer a cultural platform that lives up to Key West’s creative potential.
The residency guesthouse is right next door to our flagship building, in the Old Town neighborhood, just a block off of Duval Street. Even being so close to the downtown action, the guest house is an oasis of quiet, with a beautiful, spacious courtyard shaded by a massive banyan tree.
All living spaces include a private bedroom and bathroom; some include a detached workspace, some are combined. Artists will have access to a shared kitchen, a covered outdoor common area, and a shaded courtyard. One ADA-accessible residence is located on the ground floor, while three are second floor spaces (one is a loft). All spaces have A/C. There are no televisions.