Solo Collage Artist Residency New Orleans
Kolaj Institute’s Solo Residencies in New Orleans are designed to provide artists, curators and writers with dedicated time and space to work on projects. The mission of Kolaj Institute is to support artists, curators and writers who seek to study, document, and disseminate ideas that deepen our understanding of collage as a medium, a genre, a community, and a 21st-century movement.
Residents may spend one or two weeks developing a focused body of work, conducting research using the Institute’s archive and collections, exploring New Orleans as a place through collage, working on a book project, creating collage poetry, making a stop-motion collage film, preparing work for exhibition, or documenting and organizing their artistic work. Kolaj Institute is also open to artist-proposed projects with clear goals.
Kolaj Institute provides housing and studio space at its Gallery in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans. Residents have a private bedroom with access to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and work in the Gallery studio with collage-making supplies and a printer. Prior to the residency, Institute staff meet with each resident to identify community partners, local resources, and opportunities that support the project, then work together to develop a plan for their time in New Orleans.
The residency is for self-motivated artists, curators and writers who benefit from uninterrupted time, creative exchange and engagement with New Orleans’s vibrant cultural landscape.
2374 St Claude Ave
#230
New Orleans, LA 70117
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Kolaj Institute Solo Residencies are open to self-motivated artists, curators, and writers who are seeking dedicated time and space to develop a project related to collage, publishing, research, exhibition, writing, or creative practice. Applicants should be prepared to work independently during their residency and should have a clearly articulated project, goal, or area of inquiry for their time in New Orleans. Artists at different stages of their careers are welcome to apply. Residents are responsible for their own travel, meals, materials beyond basic studio supplies, and any additional project-related expenses.
The cost of the residency is $900 US for one week (including 6 nights accommodation) or $1400 US for two weeks (including 13 nights accommodation). If the artist is traveling with a partner or companion, there is an additional fee of $400 US per week.
A limited number of grants of $250 is available in order to offset the fee and reduce barriers to participation to those with a demonstrated financial need. No grants are available to cover travel, lodging or food costs or to offset the companion fee.
All travel to and from New Orleans, as well as food and lodging outside of the Residency, are the sole responsibility of the artist.
A limited number of $250 grants are available to offset the residency fee and reduce barriers to participation for artists with demonstrated financial need. These grants are applied toward the program fee only. Grants are not available to cover travel, food, lodging outside of the residency, materials, or companion fees. All travel to and from New Orleans, as well as food and lodging outside of the residency, are the responsibility of the artist.
Accessibility
Kolaj Institute’s residency space is located on the second floor of a building and is not fully ADA accessible at this time. We recognize this as a limitation and are actively seeking funding and support to make the space more accessible in the future. Applicants with access needs are encouraged to contact Kolaj Institute in advance so we can discuss the physical limitations of the space and consider possible accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Kolaj Institute provides pre-residency communication, orientation upon arrival, staff contact information, and individualized planning support before and during the residency. Residents have access to housing, studio space, shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, collage-making materials, and a printer. Staff work with residents to identify local resources, community connections, and opportunities that may support their project while in New Orleans.
Participation depends on the artist’s specific access needs. Artists with limited mobility may be able to participate if they can safely climb stairs, move through the second-floor residency space, and navigate the studio independently. The residency may be difficult or not possible for artists who cannot use stairs, as the housing, bathroom, kitchen, studio, and materials areas are all located upstairs. Kolaj Institute is happy to discuss access needs in advance and consider possible accommodations within the current limitations of the space.
The primary residency areas are not currently wheelchair accessible. This includes the resident bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, gallery/studio, office areas, and materials/archive areas, all of which are located on the second floor and accessible only by stairs. At this time, there is no elevator or lift to the residency space. Residents should be able to carry personal belongings, move through the space independently, and access studio materials stored on shelves or in boxes.
Housing & Accomodation
Kolaj Institute’s residency takes place within a mixed-use building that includes the resident bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, gallery/studio space, and commercial office areas. Residents have access to the studio and shared facilities during their stay. The Gallery functions as both a working studio and a public-facing space. Public gallery hours are generally noon to 6 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and the space may be populated by staff, visitors, or program participants during those times. Residents may continue to use the gallery/studio during designated studio hours, generally until 9 PM. Common spaces include the gallery/studio, kitchen, bathroom, and other shared areas of the Institute.
Studio & Facilities
Kolaj Institute provides residents with access to a working gallery/studio space designed for collage-making and project development. The studio includes basic collage tools and supplies, including scissors, cutting knives, cutting mats, adhesives, paper, and other shared materials. Residents also have access to a large collage fodder collection, including photographs, maps, brochures, magazines, books, wallpaper, paper, and other printed ephemera. Printing, including large-format printing, may be coordinated with residency leaders as part of the resident’s project plan. Residents are welcome to bring their own specialized materials, tools, or equipment as needed.
Additional studio support can be coordinated with residents based on the needs of their project. Because research is often an important part of a Kolaj Institute residency, staff may help residents identify relevant places to visit in New Orleans, local resources to consult, or community contacts who may support their area of inquiry. Depending on the project, this may include suggestions for archives, libraries, museums, neighborhoods, cultural sites, or individuals with knowledge related to the resident’s artistic research.