Artist-in-Residence Program
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Kala offers subsidized residencies through the Artist Residency (AIR) Program (July deadline) and fully funded residencies through the Fellowship (February deadline), Veterans Artist Residency, Jen Cole Artist Residency Award, and CCA Hamaguchi Artist Residency (July deadline). All residencies are made possible through generous donations and grants from foundations and individuals.
You can learn more about the application process and facilities here!
ABOUT
Kala’s artist-in-residence programs offer 24-hour access to the printmaking workshop, digital lab, black and white darkroom, sculpture and textiles lab (textiles, wood shop, kiln and slab roller), individual storage space, access to Kala’s gallery with potential exhibition opportunities, professional development resources including classes, and participation in a vital, international artist community. Project spaces and housing are available for artists coming from outside the San Francisco Bay Area.
Artists working in various disciplines, including printmaking, photography, book arts, film, video and new media, public art, performance, ceramics, fiber and textile arts, sculpture, and installation are encouraged to apply to become an Artist-in-Residence.
Residency applications are accepted online at kala.slideroom.com. Artists-In-Residence receive a 20% discount on Kala Workshops and Classes.
UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES
– July 26th, 2025 deadline
– Visit kala.slideroom.com here to apply!
– Artist Residency (AIR) Program
– Jen Cole Artist-in-Residence Award (Bay Area printmaker)
– CCA Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Resdiency at Kala
– Veterans Artist Residency
EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES
– Print Studio
– Sculpture Lab
– Digital Lab and Photo Darkroom
– Gallery
– Residency Experience
– Kala Facilities
JEN COLE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AWARD
In celebration of the work and legacy of beloved artist Jen Cole, Kala’s community of artists have come together to create a one-month, annual Artist-in-Residence (AIR) award in Jen’s name. This opportunity is for a local printmaker to come to Kala for a one-month artist residency at Kala and includes a small stipend for supplies. This award is meant to support an artist who is at a pivotal point in their practice, needs support financially or in other ways, and for whom this opportunity will be transformative creatively. Apply here by the July 26th deadline!
KALA’S ARTIST APARTMENTS
Kala offers two shared artist apartments a block from Kala. Each apartment is a 2-bedroom unit, meaning you will have your own bedroom and be living with 1 roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, and is limited to artists coming from outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. An Alternative Housing List with additional housing options in the neighborhood is also available. Scroll down here to see images of the Kala’s artist apartments.
PROJECT SPACES
Kala offers 3 individual project spaces that are perfect for installations, projections, and open studio visits. Artists staying in Kala’s apartments receive an individual project space (150-200 sq ft) or a large shared project space (400 sq ft). Find out more here!
KALA ALUMNI
Are you an artist-in-residence alum looking to return? Returning AIRs are always welcome back to the residency program! Please email Kala’s Artist Residency Manager, Leyla Rzayeva, at leyla@kala.org or kalaair@kala.org.
RESIDENCY EQUIPMENT, ACCESS & RESOURCES
Artists-in-residence receive 24-hour access to shared 8,000-square-foot print studio, 600 sq. ft sculpture and textiles lab (textiles, wood shop, kiln and slab roller), digital and media lab, black and white photo darkroom, and 3 individual project spaces that are perfect for installations, projections, and open studio visits: find out more here.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection panel considers artistic and conceptual strength, proposed projects that match the resources available at Kala, as well as skills and experience with the equipment artists propose to use. Examples of the proposed media are highly encouraged in the application. Artists who apply for a residency should be familiar with at least one of the media and/or kinds of equipment offered at Kala in the print studio, digital lab, darkroom, sculpture lab, and other facilities: find out more here. Applications are reviewed by Kala’s Co-Director, Artist Residency Manager, Print Studio Manager, and Digital Lab and Sculpture Lab Manager.
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Questions & Application Fee Waivers: please reach out to Artist Residency Manager Leyla Rzayeva at leyla@kala.org or kalaair@kala.org, 510.549.2977 x 303 (Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm PT).