Application is free and available on website.

• Application form in English. (Applications submitted in any other language cannot be processed.)
• 1-2 letters of reference (These will be uploaded directly by the referees into the online portal)
• A short-form curriculum vitae (No more than three pages in length.)
• Artist's statement
• A short description of the project you will be working on while at the residency
• 1-5  relevant samples of your work.
• $30 application fee, payable by credit card at the end of the application

CIAR accepts visual artists at all stages of their career. We encourage applicants who will benefit from nature as a tool in their creative process, especially those who will use the unique natural environment of Cuttyhunk Island as their studios. Our facilities are conducive to artists with a portable studio practice, an ability to work on projects with easy set-up and break-down methods. Artists may also set up temporary work spaces on our large wraparound, covered porch overlooking Vineyard Sound. We also see this time as a way for artists to wander, think, and sketch. The beautiful nature trails and quiet beaches offer a sense of escape from our busy lives. 

Examples of work methods supported by our facilities:

• drawing
• painting
• collage
• small sculpture projects (not needing special tools or shop space)
• photography
• video

We offer residencies for adults 21 and up. We do not exclude people currently enrolled in fine arts higher education (BFA/MFA). Please visit our Submittable page for information about fellowship opportunities for writers and artists from the Pacific Northwest, who are BIPOC, or who are LGBTQ+ visual artists from the Pacific Northwest. We offer a mix of fellowships and low-cost paid residencies; if you apply for a fellowship for which you're eligible, you can elect to also be reviewed for paid residency. (This way, you are juried as narrowly or broadly as you wish within one application fee.)

Our Submittable page with application information is here.

In each application we ask you to provide an artist statement (150 words),  tell us why are you interested in the Monira Residencies Program (250 words), and to submit 5 images of your work. It can be in any media, though note that our program best serves visual art practices. No composite images or files with multiple images will be accepted.  Images and statements cannot  have artist names or identification on them.Image Descriptions should include title, media, year, and description.  Our aim is to keep this application equitable and heavily focused on the work submitted. Reviewers will not see applicant names during the process and only have access to the artist statement, the program statement and the portfolio.

Each application will also ask for general information and a recent resume for internal use only. Please make sure your Slideroom account is up to date when submitting as we rely on their system to communicate during this process.

The Monira Foundation will convene a panel of arts professionals from New Jersey and New York to select the 5 artists for the upcoming year. This panel will only be announced after the each cycle (8-10 weeks after the open call ends) and will change each year. For application questions please contact Anne Muntges at anne@monirafoundation.org

Jurors look for

1. Artistic Excellence, work that is compelling with a distinct voice and vision.

2. Evidence of Commitment, A history of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it publicly

3. Impact: Will this residency help the artist further their practice and/or career.

4. Engagement: Will artist participating engage with the community at the Monira Foundation and the general public through studio visits and community programming.

Application and Selection Process:

In each application, we ask you to provide an artist statement (150 words), a statement that tells us why you are interested in the Monira Residencies Program (250 words), and to submit 5 images or videos of your work. It can be in any media, though note that our program best serves visual art practices. No composite images or files with multiple images exceeding the 5 requested will be accepted (the application will not be reviewed). You may share video links that are uploaded on a PDF page as part of your portfolio. (one link per submission) Each link will be viewed as part of the 5  and not additional. Only 5 works will be reviewed, and no more. Please note in the description which sections to view and remove and password restrictions. Videos, images,  and statements cannot have artist names or identification on them as we work hard to keep our applications blind. Image descriptions should include title, media, year, and relevant description.

We aim to keep this application equitable and heavily focused on the work submitted. Reviewers will not see applicant names during the process and will only have access to the artist statement, the program statement, and the portfolio. They will not spend more than 10-15 minutes on each application, so plan accordingly.

Each application will also ask for general information and a recent resume for internal use only. Artists are not selected based on their showing record, They are selected for their work and readiness to undertake a yearlong residency. Please ensure your Slideroom account is up to date when submitting, as we rely on their system to communicate during this process.

The Monira Foundation will convene a panel of arts professionals from Chicago to select the artist for the upcoming year. This panel will only be announced after each cycle (about 10 weeks after the open call ends) and will change yearly. We will likely send notifications in late June this cycle. For application questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Anne Muntges at anne@monirafoundation.org

Jurors look for:

• Artistic Excellence: compelling work with a distinct voice and vision.
• Evidence of Commitment: A history of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it publicly
• Impact: Will this residency help artists further their practice and/or career?
• Engagement: Will artists participating engage with the community at the Monira Foundation and the general public through studio visits and community programming?