Artist-in-Residence Program
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Upcoming Application Deadlines
– July 26th, 2025 deadline, visit kala.slideroom.com here to apply!
Applicant Resources
– Residency Experience
– How to Apply
– Subsidized Residency Rates
Artists can apply for the following in a single application:
– Artist Residency (AIR) Program
– Jen Cole Artist-in-Residence Award (Bay Area Printmaker)
– CCA Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Resdiency at Kala
– Veterans Artist Residency
Important to Note: Print Studio location description: Kala Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs, a total of 52 steps. Feel free to reach out to Leyla Jamil Rzayeva, Artist Residency Manager, at leyla@kala.org or by phone at T: 510.549.2977 x 303 Mon-Thu 9 am – 5 pm PT with any questions. If stairs present an access issue for you, please feel free to let staff know.
Criteria: The selection panel considers skills in the proposed project area that match the resources available at Kala, along with artistic and conceptual strengths. 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 equipment offered at Kala 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.
Kala’s Artist Residency Apartments: Artist housing is located across the street from Kala’s facilities. Kala offers two shared artist apartments, each apartment is a 2-bedroom unit, meaning you will be living with a roommate and sharing a kitchen, living room, and bathroom.
Project Spaces: In addition to the shared facilities, artists staying in Kala’s apartment receive an individual Project Space (150-200 sq ft).
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.
Kala Alumni
Are you an artist-in-residence alumni 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.
About
Kala offers subsidized residency rates for different working needs and artist experiences! Artists working in various printmaking techniques, photo processes, book arts, sculpture, and digital media including video production can apply to become an Artist-in-Residence. Resident artists receive year-round 24-hour access to the printmaking workshop, digital lab, black and white darkroom, sculpture annex (textiles, wood shop, kiln and slab roller), individual storage space, and project spaces (available to visiting artists), participation in a vital, international artist community, and potential exhibition opportunities.
Residency applications are accepted online at kala.slideroom.com. Artists who apply for a residency should be familiar with at least one of the media and equipment offered at Kala. Artists-In-Residence receive a 20% discount on Kala Workshops and Classes.
Residency Resources: artists receive 24/7 access to a shared 8,000-square-foot print studio, sculpture and textiles lab, digital lab, black and white darkroom, and 3 individual artist project spaces (150 sq feet each available to visiting artists): find out more here.
Stay in Touch
– Join Kala Newsletter
– Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
– 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 PST).
