Sally and Don Lucas Artists Program (LAP)
Established in 1939, Montalvo Arts Center is home to the third oldest residency program in the United States. In 2004, Montalvo recommitted to its support of artists and opened a new, state-of-the-art facility, relaunching as the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. The residency is dedicated to providing artists with a flexible and expansive space in which to create, encouraging the creative process, risk taking, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary investigation of contemporary issues. The LAP is a hybrid model that supports uninterrupted time to develop new work, while offering opportunities to share ideas and projects through public programming and partnerships.
Since its inception, the program’s curatorial team has worked to develop a robust commissioning program for Montalvo and the greater Bay Area. These commissions encourage the development of ambitious new work, and provide opportunities to reinvest in and amplify the voices of LAP artists beyond their time spent in residency.
We believe in the power of artists’ work, ideas, and processes to catalyze important conversations that address contemporary issues. We value diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, and are committed to supporting a broad mix of artistic voices, fostering a shared sense of community and belonging. We strive to produce innovative programming that connects LAP artists with the Bay Area and beyond.
15400 Montalvo Road
P.O. Box 158
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
The LAP welcomes over eighty artists a year from around the world to our facilities. LAP Fellows are selected through a competitive two-tier juried nomination process. The LAP relies on an international rotating network of over 500 nominators who are invited to nominate up to three artists of exceptional merit. Each artist is invited to submit a full dossier on their work, which is reviewed by a jury of experts in each discipline. Approximately 30 artists per discipline are selected every three years.
Once selected, LAP Fellows have three years to complete their three month residency. LAP supports artists in constructing their own residency schedule to best serve their individual practice with a minimum of 2 weeks per stay. LAP artists have the unique opportunity to bring collaborators with them into residence.
We also host creative teams and support them to incubate and develop new work and projects. Through the generous support of the Andy Warhol Foundation, the LAP is currently working on a new initiative with select artists to assemble their own team of creative contributors. These cohorts will take over the entire residency for the sole purpose of embarking on an open-ended thematic investigation, an artistically driven think tank.
A modest scholarship may be made available for travel, materials, and supplies depending on individual circumstances and need.
Ground transportation is provided to and from the local airports, or cities within the Bay Area.
A modest scholarship may be made available for travel, materials, and supplies depending on individual circumstances and need.
Accessibility
The LAP facilities include 10 LEED certified, discipline-specific, live-work studios and a commons building. Each is equipped with Wifi access, a full bathroom and kitchenette. Most offer a sofa bed for overnight guests.
Four studios and the communal areas of the residency are fully ADA compliant (accessibility documentation is available upon request).
The LAP also offers access to production equipment, tools and workshop space, as well as a shared vehicle.
Four studios and the communal areas of the residency are fully ADA compliant (accessibility documentation is available upon request).
Four studios and the communal areas of the residency are fully ADA compliant (accessibility documentation is available upon request). There are hiking trails connecting places on the property.
Housing & Accomodation
The Commons building provides a space for gathering, community meals, public engagement, and discourse. Equipped with a full kitchen, including an outdoor pizza oven, run by LAP’s chef, artists gather five times per week to share meals in Hackworth Hall and create community. Located within the Commons are the LAP’s administrative offices, a flexible space for meetings or research, and a full laundry.
Studio & Facilities
A new woodworking and sculpture studio is available for use by all visiting artists.