Residency Experience

RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE 

24/7 access to all facilities: shared 8,000-square-foot Print Studio facilities & equipment, Sculpture and Textile Lab (looms, sewing & embroidery machines, wood shop, kiln, slab roller & more), Digital Lab & media equipment, black and white photo darkroom.

– Kala welcomes artists-in-residence and fellows from various disciplines, including printmaking, photography, book arts, film, video and new media, public art, performance, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpture, and installation!

– Artists staying in Kala’s apartments receive an individual project space (150-200 sq ft) or a large shared project space (400 sq ft).

3.5-week artist residencies and 2-week residencies with housing and a project space for artists coming from outside of the San Francisco Bay Area.

– In addition, artists can apply for 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month residencies – no housing is included for this option. You can learn more about the application process and facilities here!

– Individual storage cubby and flat file

– 20% discount on Kala Classes & Workshops

– Access to a community and network of approximately 70+ artists working at Kala

– Support of Kala staff

– Participation in Kala events


ORIENTATIONS

– The online and in-person orientations help artists get situated in the studio.

– The online orientation usually takes about 45 minutes, and the in-person orientation usually takes 1-2 hrs.

– During the in-person orientations, artists receive keys, storage, and a detailed walkthrough of the equipment and safety protocols.

-Staff will provide basic orientations, which include information about functionality, tips & tricks, and individual “personalities” of our presses, machinery, and processes in the studio.

– Kala’s studio environment is designed for artists to work independently and/or collaboratively without staff assistance.

– Please ask us as many questions as you need to feel comfortable in the space. 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 – Kala Classes and Workshops.


LOCATION DESCRIPTION

– 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 out to Leyla Rzayeva, 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.

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 who reside outside of the Bay Area.

– Washer & dryer, and a  full kitchen

– Access to a community gym and 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. However, please reach out to us at kalaair@kala.org about an Alternative Housing List with comparable housing options in the neighborhood if you would like to arrange your accommodations.


DIGITAL PRINTING INK COSTS 

– Artists should plan to ship/bring personal inkjet-compatible paper, and photography chemistry

– Digital printing ink fee is $10/ft

– Transparency film printing at Kala is $2.00/ft/17″ wide roll and $2.50/ft/24″ wide roll


RETURNING TO KALA!

– If you complete your residency and leave Kala, you’re welcome back as a returning AIR without additional application. Please email us at kalaair@kala.org in advance to schedule.