Kinship Studio

Brick house with upper and lower porches.

Brick house with upper and lower porches.

Library with digital studio in the background.

Library with digital studio in the background.

Digital studio with library in the background.

Digital studio with library in the background.

Silver darkroom with large sink and 8x10 enlarger

Silver darkroom with large sink and 8x10 enlarger

Attic mixed-media studio.

Attic mixed-media studio.

Kinship Studio

Cumberland, MD, United States

Kinship Studio residency and retreat center welcomes photographers and creative makers of all skill levels looking to seed, incubate, launch, or complete personal work or community projects. 

Self-funded residencies and retreats are grant-subsidized (50% of residency and studio costs are covered by grants), allowing the benefits of a residency without the competitive application process or long wait times. Requiring only a brief application and short phone interview, residencies and retreats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We accept applications year-round. 

Facilities include darkrooms, a digital print lab for prints up to 44" wide, a matting and framing studio, an outdoor alternative process studio, a mixed-media collage and book studio, and a writers' studio. 

To help make residencies accessible to artists of all income levels, we have a limited number of work-exchange full scholarships available each year. Please indicate additional financial need on your retreat request form. 

We offer four types of residencies:

  • Self-Directed - for those who wish to work independently.

  • Guided  - for those who are exploring and learning and still need guidance and instruction.

  • Production - for those who are preparing for exhibitions or a project launch. 

     

Contact

514 Cumberland St
Cumberland, MD 21502
United States

Year Founded
2024
Context
Urban
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded in a non-profit inn and retreat center
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Community-engaged
Experiential
Residency Length
1 week - 4 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
3
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Book Arts
Criticism
Digital Media
Documentary
Ecology
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
Graphic Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Paper Arts
Philosophy
Photography
Public Art
Social Practice
Visual Arts
Writing
Companions
N/A
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Unstructured time
Art production support
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
Professional development support and/or trainings
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 for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

We use a non-competitive selection process, but require a brief phone or Zoom interview to ensure we are the right fit for your creative needs. 

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
24
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
36
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
540
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Residency fees (paid by artists) are matched 50% by grants and donations. Residency rates below indicate the amount paid by the artist and include access to a studio and a 30-minute studio orientation. Lodging also includes a private bedroom and shared spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and library. Additional fees for private instruction, workshops, critiques, etc., can be added to any residency package. 

Studio & Lodging (amount paid by artist)

One Week - $540

Two Weeks - $1025

Three Weeks - $1500

Four Weeks - $2000

Private Instruction 

$50 per hour 

10 hours - $450  ($45 per hour)

15 hours - $630  ($42 per hour)

20 hours - $800  ($40 per hour)

40 hours - $1520 ($38 per hour)

Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

50% of the cost for all residencies and retreats is subsidized by grants and donations. The residency fees listed above already reflect that 50% subsidy. If you need additional support, please indicate that on your retreat request form when applying. We have a limited number of work exchange positions available each year. 

Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

Kinship Studio is housed in a duplex built in 1850. Most doorways (including the bathrooms) are not wide enough for a wheelchair. But we are seeking funding to change that in the near future. 

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Local arrangements coordinated by resident
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Susan Patrice
Accessibility Contact Email
info@kinship.photography
Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

Kinship Studio is housed in a duplex built in 1850. Most doorways (including the bathrooms) are not wide enough for a wheelchair. We are seeking funding to change that in the near future. We are also researching nearby housing that is accessible as well as building a ramp that gives access to the digital studio and library on the first floor of our residency building. Please email us for updated information. 

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Currently, only the digital studio and library are fully accessible. 

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Meals Provided
Residents have access to shared kitchen
No meals are provided
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Computer and internet connection provided in studio area (private)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Kinship Studio was founded by a team of photographers and mixed-media artists. We offer private studios in our digital lab, alternative process/silver/film darkrooms, and mixed media/book/collage studio.  A full list of studios and available equipment can be found on our website. 

Kinship Studio residents also have access (for a $40 one-time fee) to a local makerspace with an extensive woodworking studio, a computerized mat cutter, and a digital lab with UV printers and direct-to-fabric printing. 

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Darkroom (Black And White)
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Large Format Scanner
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Drawing Benches
Book Arts Facilities
Drying Racks
Paper Soaking Sinks
Paper Tearing Table
Light Tables
Large Sinks
Large Exposure Unit
Washout Room
Fiber Arts Workspace
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by staff
Studio support provided by dedicated tech
On-call Studio support provided
Additional Studio Information

Kinship offers guided residencies that include extra technical or creative guidance can be requested at any time during a self-directed residency, subject to additional fees and availability.  Private instruction can be scheduled on a sliding scale of $38-$50 per hour