Residencies - Kala Art Institute

Kala Art Institute provides space and equipment to artists working in and across the fields of printmaking, photography, performance, sculpture, installation and media arts through our Artist-In-Residence (AIR) and Fellowship programs. Artists accepted into our residency programs receive access to Kala’s facilities, which include an 8,000 square foot printmaking facility, digital media lab, black and white darkroom, and new 600 square foot sculpture lab. Through a wide array of equipment resources, communal space, a dynamic artist community, a 2,200 light-filled square foot gallery, print and media study center, and exhibition opportunities, Kala offers artists a unique and supportive environment to experiment and make new work.

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Artist-in-Residence Program

Upcoming Application Deadlines – July 26th, 2025 deadline, visit kala.slideroom.com here to apply!

The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program provides accepted artists with 24-hour access to Kala’s print studio, digital lab, darkroom, new sculpture lab, and art-making facilities. Established in 1974, Kala’s Artist-in-Residence program is geared towards providing short- and long-term shared studio space at subsidized, low monthly rates to both emerging and established artists. The program has steadily grown to reach its current annual population of 150 + artists from the Bay Area and beyond.

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Fellowship Program

2025-2026 KALA FELLOWSHIP AWARD

The 2025-2026 Fellowship application is open!

Artists interested in the Fellowship Program can apply online at kala.slideroom.com – 2025-2026 Fellowship deadline is February 2nd, 2025 (9:00 PM PST) – apply here!

Kala Fellowship is an artist residency for international, national, and local artists producing innovative work in and across multiple media. For over 30 years, Kala Art Institute has provided artists with equipment, time, space, and financial support for their work through Kala Fellowship. The Fellowship is geared towards supporting artists in completing specific projects or bodies of work that would benefit from Kala’s specialized equipment.

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Media Arts Residency Program

Kala Art Institute’s Media Arts Residency will provide four artists with a six-month residency with 24/7 access to Kala’s facilities, along with the opportunity to produce work in collaboration with Kala programs, a culminating exhibition in the Kala gallery, and in-house expertise for the duration of the residency. Four artists working in and across video, sound, performance, cinema, and installation will pilot this new program, a creative residency at Kala to create multi-media projects that culminate in Kala programming.

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Parent Artist Residency Program

Kala is pleased to offer residency opportunities and studio access to artists with children under 18 through our Parent Artist Residency Program. We recognize that each artist-family has its own set of challenges when seeking a residency program. Families with multiple children of varying ages have different requirements than families with older, more independent children. By offering a flexible residency experience in addition to our standard residency programs, we hope to create multiple entry points for artists to create artwork amidst the ever-evolving and diverse demands of family life. The Parent Artist Residency Program at Kala is generously supported by the Sustainable Arts Foundation.

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Print Public Residency Program

Print Public, Kala’s public art residency is open for applications. The municipal artist-in-residence program is back in collaboration with the City of Berkeley. We’re looking for two local artists or artist teams to work as cultural strategists within the City of Berkeley’s Planning Department. Selected artists will also receive a stipend, and 16-month residency at Kala with 24/7 access to Kala’s printmaking studio, digital lab, and other facilities. Apply by Friday, Nov 18, 2022 via slideroom.

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Facilities

Kala Art Institute is a unique resource, providing high-quality working facilities to artists working in and across printmaking, photography, book arts, installation, performance and media arts. Kala’s facilities are spread out over two buildings and feature the following: Print Studio, Gallery, Digital Arts Lab, Photo Darkroom, and Gallery Mercy and Roger Smullen Print & Media Study Center

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Custom Printing

Realize your project at Kala Art Institute

Kala Art Institute is a multidisciplinary printmaking studio located in West Berkeley, California since 1974. In addition to working as an international and diverse workshop forum for artists, Kala also provides custom printing services. Over time, a number of artists have worked at Kala to create and publish prints, on a variety of materials.

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Veterans Residency Program

Kala’s Veteran Artist-in-Residence (AIR) and Exhibition program will provide four California artists with a six-month residency with 24/7 access to Kala’s state-of-the-art technical facilities, along with the opportunity to produce work in collaboration with Kala programs, including an exhibition in the Kala gallery. Veteran artists producing innovative work in all mediums including printmaking, digital media, installation art, social practice, photography, and book arts are encouraged to apply.

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