Melissa Wang working in the Sculpture Lab
Letterpress and movable type
Textile Lab
Screenprinting - Photo by Otto M Harris
Project Space Open Studios
Christopher Cobillas-Ottinger working in the photo darkroom.
Where the Tree Grows Fellowship Exhibition: work by Sky Tafoya and Amy Elkins

Artist-in-Residence Program

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM

Kala offers subsidized residencies through the Artist Residency (AIR) Program (March 1st, 2026, deadline) and fully funded residencies through the Fellowship (March 1st, 2026, deadline), Veterans Artist Residency (March 1st, 2026, deadline), 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 our amazing facilities here!

ABOUT THE AIR PROGRAM

Kala’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program offers 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.

Artist residency applications are accepted online at kala.slideroom.com.
Artists-In-Residence receive a 20% discount on Kala Art Classes and Workshops.
Project spaces and housing are available for artists coming from outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINES

Deadline: March 1st, 2026 (9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time)

The residency application will open December 15, 2025. Artists are encouraged to apply to the Fellowship and Artist Residency – a single application (March 1st, 2026 deadline).

Visit kala.slideroom.com starting December 15th to begin your application.

Find out more about Kala’s Fellowship, Artist-in-Residence Program, Veterans Artist Residency, and residency experience:

– How to Apply
– Veterans Artist Residency (March 1st, deadline)
– Artist Residency (AIR) Program (March 1st, deadline)
– Fellowship (March 1st, deadline)
– Jen Cole Artist-in-Residence Award (July deadline)
– CCA Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Resdiency at Kala (July deadline)

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 has 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 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.

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 a 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, how well the proposed projects match the resources available at Kala,  as well as skills and experience with the equipment artists propose to use. Work samples highlighting the media you propose to use at Kala are 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.

STAY IN TOUCH!

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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).