Kala Art Institute Artist-in-Residence

A large table used for screen printing with a metal paper drying rack next to it. The table is in front of two large windows.

A large table used for screen printing with a metal paper drying rack next to it. The table is in front of two large windows.

A lithography press.

A lithography press.

A large captains wheel american french tool press.

A large captains wheel american french tool press.

A large captains wheel with a medium american french tool press

A large captains wheel with a medium american french tool press

A type cabinet displaying various letters of type used for letterpress printing.

A type cabinet displaying various letters of type used for letterpress printing.

A black man kneeling down to assist his large colorful digital pigment print coming out of a large epson printer

A black man kneeling down to assist his large colorful digital pigment print coming out of a large epson printer

a close up shot of a small etching press next to a long table.

a close up shot of a small etching press next to a long table.

Kala Art Institute Artist-in-Residence

Berkeley, CA, United States

Artists working in and across printmaking, photography, or digital media arts are encouraged to apply to Kala's Artist-In-Residence program. Kala's printmaking studio, digital lab, and darkroom are shared facilities. Resident artists receive year-round 24-hour access to the printmaking workshop and/or media center, individual storage space, possible exposure on Kala’s website and in other exhibitions at Kala, and participation in a vital, international artistic community.

Artists may apply for 1-, 2-, or 3-month residencies, and must specify the desired residency length in the application. Please review our contract rates here to determine what option works best for you; 6-month residencies are available to continuing and returning Artists-in-Residence who have completed a 3-month residency.

Applications are reviewed three times per year: January 15, May 15, and October 15 by Kala’s Artistic Director/Co-Director, Artist Residency Manager, Kala’s print studio manager, and Digital Lab Manager. The jury considers skill in the proposed project area that matches the resources available at Kala, along with artistic and conceptual strength. 

Contact

1060 Heinz Ave
Berkeley, CA 94710
United States

Year Founded
1974
Context
Urban
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in a non-profit inn and retreat center
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (no housing)
Studio-based (with housing)
Community-engaged
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
1 month - 3 months
Languages
English
Spanish
Other
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
40
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Printmaking
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Animation
Digital Media
Photography
Sound Art
Social Practice
Art Education
Art History
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
How does your residency program support artists?
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
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
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
Additional Eligibility Information

A Full Application Includes:
-Completed application questions
-Artist resumé or CV
-Work samples, up to 5 images and/or 5 minutes of video

Examples of the proposed printmaking or digital media are highly encouraged in the application.

Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
3165
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Kala offers contract rates for different working needs and artist experiences! New artists-in-residence can sign up for 1, 2, or 3-month-long contracts. Individual artists can choose to do a full-time residency (up to 7 days/week) or part-time (up to 3 days/week) with 24/7 access to the print studio for individual artists. A collaborative rate option is also available.

All artist residencies are highly subsidized and are made possible through generous donations from foundations and individuals. Rates are effective October 2nd, 2023.

1, 2, or 3-Month Part-Time Contract: $315 per month
3 days per week studio access

1, 2, or 3-Month Full-Time Contract: $470 per month
4 to 7 days per week studio access

2-week Full-Time Contract with Kala Housing included: $1,100 total
Full-time studio access and Kala’s shared artist apartments are available to artists who reside outside the Bay Area.

Kala’s Artist Residency Apartments: Kala offers housing in two shared artist apartments: each unit is a 2-bedroom shared apartment, meaning you will be living with a roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, at an additional subsidized fee of $1,200 per month. Please note that Kala’s shared apartments are limited to artists who reside outside of the Bay Area. Upon reservation, housing adds $1,200/month to the residency rates.

Emerging AIR Program
For artists who have graduated from a BA, BFA, or MFA program in the last 24 months, Kala is pleased to provide a discounted residency rate to artists for one year after graduation. Rates are $200 per month for a part-time 1, 2, or 3-month contract ($1400 per month w/ Kala housing included), and $400 per month for a full-time contract ($1600 per month w/ Kala housing included)

Senior AIR Program
Senior artists (65+ years of age) will receive a $25 per month discount on all residency rates.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Fee
10
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Staff/volunteer reading information aloud
Staff/volunteer giving directions
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

Kala Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs. Please email Leyla Rzayeva at kalaair@kala.org before enrolling so we can assess if we can accommodate you (and your service animal) safely and efficiently.

Feel free to reach Leyla Rzayeva, Artist Residency Manager at leyla@kala.org or by phone at T:510.549.2977 x 303 Mon-Thu 9 am - 5 pm PT with any questions!

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available off campus
Local arrangements coordinated by resident
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Leyla Rzayeva
Accessibility Contact Email
leyla@kala.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

Kala Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs. Please email Leyla Rzayeva at kalaair@kala.org before enrolling so we can assess if we can accommodate you (and your service animal) safely and efficiently.

 

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

We currently house our traditional black & white photography darkroom and our documentation room on the second floor of our space. This is not accessible by the elevator and artists must be able to walk up stairs in order to access this.

Type of Housing
Private housing off campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
N/A
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Common/Communal Spaces Information
  • Modern kitchens with custom fixtures.
  • Gas range cooktops
  • Energy Star-rated appliances
  • Full size, front-loading washers and dryers
  • Rooftop deck with barbeques, firepits, and seating
  • Secure indoor bike storage room and bike maintenance station
  • Lobby and living room area with a bar, seating, and TV
  • Fitness room
  • On-demand yoga with local instructor Peter Walters
  • Car matrix parking and
    EV charging stations
  • High-filtration ventilation air supplied directly to each apartment
  • High-efficiency building glazing and insulation
  • Non-toxic materials and finishes, including paints, sealants, and adhesives
  • FloorScore certified wood flooring made from 98% post-industrial recycled content
  • In-unit LED Lighting and Energy Star-rated appliances
  • Operational policies for building maintenance aligned with LEED criteria
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in 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
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Kala Art Institute is a unique resource, providing high-quality working facilities to artists working in and across printmaking, photography, book arts, installation, performance and media arts. Kala’s facilities are spread out over two buildings and feature the following:

PRINT STUDIO

The Print Studio (8,000 sq. ft.) includes equipment to facilitate a variety of traditional and contemporary print processes including: Intaglio, Relief, Lithography, Screen print, Letterpress, Black & White Photography and Alternative Photographic Processes. In addition to the Digital Arts Lab, the Print Studio houses these spaces: Workshop, Photo Darkroom, Acid Room, Exposure Room, Screen printing, Lithography, Multi-use/Shared Presses, Editioning Room, Letterpress, Paper Preparation/Print Dryers, and Kitchen.

EQUIPMENT LISTS (major items only)
Presses:
American French Tool Etching Presses (3)
*Press bed sizes: 48 x 78″, 40 x 70″, 40 x 70″
*Approximate maximum printable areas: 44 x 66″, 36 x 58″, 36 x 58″

Charles Brand Etching Press (2)
*Press bed sizes: 32 x 52″, 30 x 50″
*Approximate maximum printable areas: 28 x 40″, 26 x 36″

Griffin Etching Press
*Press bed size: 21.75 x 40″
*Approximate maximum printable area: 17.75 x 28″

Takach Motor Driven Lithography Press
*Press bed size: 33 x 56.5″
*Metal printing base for plate lithography: 32 x 51″

Griffin Lithography Press
*Press bed size: 26.5 x 45.5″

Vandercook SP-15 Letterpress
*Maximum form size: 14 x 18”
*Maximum printable area: 12 x 15”
*Maximum sheet size: 14.75 x 20”
*Magnetic Printing bases (Patmag base: 12 x 16”, Bunting base: 8.5 x 11.25”)

Vandercook SP-20 Letterpress
*Maximum form size: 19 x 26”
*Maximum printable area: 17 x 22”
*Maximum sheet size: 19.5 x 28”
*Magnetic Printing bases (Patmag base: 12 x 16”, Bunting base: 8.5 x 11.25”)

Silkscreen vacuum table with arm (manual printing):
*Vacuum area 36 x 48”
*Maximum screen size 50 x 72” (or 48 x 60” if using the vacuum area)

Cincinnati Silkscreen vacuum table with arm (manual printing):
*Vacuum area 27 x 43”
*Maximum screen size 42 x 64”

Other:
Amergraph Advantage 150 Silkscreen exposure unit
*Maximum outside dimensions of silkscreen: 30″ x 40″

Anderson Vreeland Orbital VIII Photo-Polymer Platemaker
*Maximum plate size: A4 (8.3″ x 11.7″)

NuArc FT26MH flip-top vacuum exposure unit (photo-intaglio & alternative photo processes)
*Maximum plate / paper size: 18″ x 24″ or 20″ x 22″

For further information about studio equipment, processes and capabilities, please inquire with the Print Studio Manager, nick@kala.org.

DIGITAL ARTS LAB / PHOTO SHOOTING STUDIO

The Digital Arts Lab (D.A.L.) houses digital media-based equipment to facilitate digital photography, design, large format printing and digital video editing.

EQUIPMENT LISTS (major items only)
Computers and peripheral hardware:
We have 9 Apple workstations with color-corrected monitors, Adobe Creative Suite

Printers:
-(1) Epson 9900  (44″ wide, photo and matte black inks)
-(1) Epson p8000 (newest model 44″ Printer)
-(1) Epson p6000 ( newest model 24″ Printer)
-Epson 4800 (17″ wide, matte black ink)

Scanners:
-Imacon Flextight 848 Virtual DrumScanner (scan films up to 4″x5″, reflective materials up to A4)
-Epson 10000 XL Photo Flatbed Scanner (12″x 17″)
-Epson 4490 Photo Flatbed Scanner (Letter size)
-Plustek oversize document scanner (12″ X 17″)
Computer software programs:
Adobe Creative Suite

Digital Photography:
-Nikon D3300 24MP DSLR
-Nikon D5500 24MP DSLR
-Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 lens
-Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 lens
-Nikon 85mm f/3.5 Macro lens
-Nikon 35mm f/1.8 prime lens
-Imacon Flextight 848 Virtual Drum Scanner

Photography:
-Sinar “X” 4×5 camera
-Northlight Lighting System
-Cambo Studio Stand
-Bogen Tripod
-Acute 2400w strobe set with two heads
-3 Beseler 4X5 Enlargers one with color head

Video:
-Panasonic HD Digital Camcorder
-Sony Mini-DV recorder/player
-JVL Mini-DV HD recorder/player
-DVD Players-Epson & Canon Multimedia Projectors
-Tascam DR-40

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Full Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Darkroom (Black And White)
Darkroom (Color)
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Large Format Scanner
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Music/Media Studio Non-recording
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Aquatint Box
Hot Plates
Metal Plate Shear
Paper Soaking Sinks
Paper Tearing Table
Acid Room
Silkscreen Studio
Lithography Studio
Light Tables
Large Exposure Unit
Washout Room
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Tech hours
Studios/facilities Details
Additional Studio Information

Kala’s studio environment is designed for artists who can work independently and/or collaboratively without staff assistance. Staff will provide basic orientations, which include information about functionality, tips & tricks, and individual “personalities” of our presses and processes in the studio; however, we can’t offer instruction. If you are new to a piece of equipment or a technical process, we encourage you to take a class before application to gain proficiency.