Artist Residencies in Key West, FL

BIPOC female bookmaker attaches paper to a cover with thread.

BIPOC female bookmaker attaches paper to a cover with thread.

Male fiber artist and painter stands in the middle of a bright residence space with several colorful works on easels.

Male fiber artist and painter stands in the middle of a bright residence space with several colorful works on easels.

Female artist works at a large table covered with several books on birds and journals.

Female artist works at a large table covered with several books on birds and journals.

Outdoor gathering of several people in the Residency Courtyard with two levels of porch balconies and a large Banyan tree in the distance.

Outdoor gathering of several people in the Residency Courtyard with two levels of porch balconies and a large Banyan tree in the distance.

Artist Residencies in Key West, FL

Key West, FL, United States

The Studios of Key West, the premiere 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.

Contact

533 Eaton Street
Key West, FL 33040
United States

Year Founded
2006
Context
Urban
Suburban
Residency Structure
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in a museum
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Community-engaged
Residency Length
1 month - 1 week
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
4
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Costume/Fashion Design
Digital Fabrication
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Woodworking
Criticism
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Translation
Writing
Acting
Choreography
Dance
Performance Art
Theater
Music
Opera
Symphony
Animation
Augmented Reality
Computing
Digital Media
Documentary
Electronic Arts
Film
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Photography
Sound Art
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Architecture
Environmental Arts
Landscape Architecture
Public Art
Social Practice
Storytelling
Urban Planning/Design
Biology
Ecology
Environmentalism/Conservation
Science
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
History
Mathematics
Philosophy
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
Emerging
Mid-career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Lead workshop for the public
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility 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.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
35
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
300
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

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.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Fee
45
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Full description of accessibility on campus
Written and or hard copies of text being presented
Accessible seating
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
ADA Compliant
Additional Accessibility Information

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.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
No housing accommodations available
Local arrangements coordinated by resident
Accessibility Contact Name
Elena Devers
Accessibility Contact Email
elena@tskw.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

100%

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

Three residences on the second floor are not accessible. The shared spaces are completely accessible.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
No housing accommodations available
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Common/Communal Spaces Information

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.

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry on campus
WIFI available in housing
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Residents have access to shared kitchen
No meals are provided
Additional Meals Information
N/A
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Ethernet provided in common area
Ethernet provided in living or studio area
Studios/Facilities Details

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.

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Theater
Piano
Printers + Scanner
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Large Sinks
Washer And Dryer
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio support provided by staff
Air Conditioned
Heat and Cool control access
Additional Studio Information

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.