In 2012, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation initiated a multidisciplinary residency program on the site of Rauschenberg's former home and studio in Captiva, Florida. Inspired by Rauschenberg's early years at Black Mountain College where an artistic community brought out elements central to his art: exploration and collaboration, the residency advances new work, extends practices into diverse mediums, and serves as a research and development lab. It fosters the ideal that artistic practice advances mutual understanding.

The Rauschenberg Residency serves over ~100 emerging and established artists + scholars annually through five-week residencies.  The 20-acre site that spans the island from the Gulf of Mexico to Pine Island Sound stimulates cross-disciplinary collaborations, as well as engenders a focus on the conservation of a sensitive and pristine environment and integration with local surroundings.  The residency supports risk-taking, experimentation and innovation.

Although there are few expectations or requirements, the Rauschenberg Residency aspires to nurture and support the creative spirit, which can be realized only in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. The Foundation has a zero tolerance discrimination policy and is deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all persons.