Applicants must be 25 years or older.

SFAI accepts applications from Individuals, Collaborations, and Families.

Collaborations: Collaborations are between two people. Preference is given to collaborators with a history of successfully working together, but new Collaborations will be considered. Only one application is required per Collaboration and applications must reflect the work of both members.

Families: Families are integrated into the annual International Thematic Residency, in July only.The Family Residency is for just one month each year, in July only. Applicants who are not parents / guardians of a child are not eligible for this program. Parent-artists are welcome to bring one or two children between the ages of 2 and 17 with them to the July Family Residency.

For the July Family Residency, we only accept applications from Individual parent-artists and Collaborations between parent-artists who are partners / spouses. This means either:

1) Only one parent / guardian is an artist and applies for a residency as an Individual, and their spouse / partner and up to two children can accompany them. OR 2) Both parents / guardians are artists who work together on a mutual project, apply for a joint residency and they can bring up to two children with them.

Disciplines: Our International Thematic Residency Program is open to all artistic disciplines (e.g., visual arts, writing, performance, new media, etc.) and other creative practices including, but not limited to, curation, design, architecture, and education. We strongly encourage applicants with interdisciplinary and non-traditional creative practices.

Education / Training: We do not require any particular level of education or training to apply. Our residency program is open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists and creative practitioners who have a dedicated studio practice and professional demeanor.

Accessibility: SFAI is committed to accessibility as an integral aspect of both diversity and inclusivity, in all that we do. Read more about our commitment to Accessibility here.

Regional BIPOC Award: SFAI seeks to better support regional BIPOC artists through our Thematic Residency Program. Through the Regional BIPOC Award program, SFAI intends to award a $500 stipend to up to 28 regional BIPOC artists who are selected for a residency, starting with the 2023 thematic residency. In order to be eligible for this stipend program, applicants must:

Meet all the eligibility requirements listed above.

Self identify as Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Color.

Be a resident of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Texas, or Oklahoma.

Apply as an Individual. Collaborations and applicants to the Family Residency are not eligible for the stipend program.

Not be enrolled in school.

Indicate availability for any residency months other than July.