How to Apply
HOW TO APPLY
– Artist Residency Program (July 26th deadline) applicants notified: August 26th
The next Residency application will reopen in December 2025. Please visit kala.slideroom.com in December 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
– Complete application questions in SlideRoom
– Upload artist resumé or CV
– Upload work samples, up to 5 images and/or 5 minutes of video (include title, medium, size, year)
– $15 Application Fee
RESIDENCY RESOURCES
– 24/7 access to a shared 8,000-square-foot Print Studio facilities & equipment
– Sculpture and Textile Lab (looms, sewing & embroidery machines, wood shop, kiln, and slab roller)
– Digital Lab & media equipment
– Black and white photo darkroom
– 2 individual project spaces (150-200 sq ft) and a large shared project space (400 sq ft) available to artists staying in Kala’s apartments
– Subsidized residency rates
– 20% discount on Kala Classes
– Network of 70+ artists working at Kala and participation in Kala events
– Support of Kala staff
Print Studio
Sculpture and Textile Lab
Digital Lab and Photo Darkroom
Gallery
Residency Experience
Kala Facilities
Important to Note: Kala Print Studio is located at the top of three flights of stairs, a total of 52 steps. If stairs present an access issue for you, feel free to reach the Artist Residency Manager at leyla@kala.org / kalaair@kala.org or by phone at T: 510.549.2977 x 303 Mon-Thu 9 am – 5 pm PT.
Questions & Application Fee Waiver: please reach out to the Artist Residency Manager, Leyla Rzayeva, at leyla@kala.org / kalaair@kala.org, or by phone 510.549.2977 x 303 (Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm PT).
KALA CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
You can view an exciting selection of Kala Art Classes & Workshops here!
Staff lead online and in-person orientations to help artists get situated in the studio. We understand that practitioners need guidance, regardless of their level of experience! Staff are available to answer questions & assist with troubleshooting as your projects develop; however, we can’t offer instruction. If you are new to a piece of equipment or a technical process, we encourage you to take a class to gain proficiency.
RESIDENCY RATES
Kala offers 3.5-week and 2-week artist residencies with housing and a project space for artists coming from outside of the Bay Area. In addition, artists can apply for 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month residencies; no housing is included for this option.
Please review our residency rates here to determine what option works best for you.
Find out more about our extensive list of specialized equipment and facilities here.
RESIDENCY 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’s print studio, sculpture and textile lab, digital lab and photo darkroom, and other Kala facilities. Applications are reviewed by Kala’s Co-Director, Artist Residency Manager, Print Studio Manager, and Digital Lab and Sculpture Lab Manager.
KALA ALUMNI
Are you an 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 4-6 months in advance.
KALA’S ARTIST APARTMENT FOR VISITING ARTISTS
Kala’s artist apartment: 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 who reside outside of the Bay Area. Artists staying in Kala’s apartments also receive an individual project space (150-200 sq ft) or a large shared project space (400 sq ft)!
Washer & dryer and full kitchen; access to a gym and a community rooftop with views of the Berkeley Hills! Residents are in charge of their meals and groceries. At this time, the artist’s apartment cannot accommodate non-residency participants. Please ask us about an Alternative Housing List with comparable housing options in the neighborhood if you would like to arrange your accommodations.
3.5 Week Full-Time Contract with Kala Housing: $1,700 total per person rate effective Oct 1st
Full-time artist residency with housing at Kala’s artist apartment, a project space, and access to all facilities for artists who reside outside the San Francisco Bay Area.
2-Week Full-Time Contract with Kala Housing: $1400 total per person rate effective Oct 1st
Full-time artist residency with housing at Kala’s artist apartment, a project space, and access to all facilities for artists who reside outside the San Francisco Bay Area.
Artists staying in Kala’s apartments receive an individual project space (150-200 sq ft) or a large shared project space (400 sq ft).
Left to right: Room 1: Printers Paradise, Living Room, Room 2: Setswell Suite
THROWBACK TO 2021
Shelter in Studio: Kala Art Institute – hosted by San Francisco Center for the Book. Meg Pohlod, Nick Shick, and Gabriela Yoque talk about the studio space and residency program at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA.