sculpture space residency 2027

SCULPTURE SPACE, located in Utica, New York invites artists whose focus is sculpture to apply for a two-month residency between February 2027 and November 2027.

We offer a 5,500 square foot shared studio with specialized equipment in addition to six semi-private studios. The Studio Manager provides ongoing assistance and technical expertise; and is available to assist with any other special requirements. Basic understanding and communication skills in English are necessary. Up to six artists are in residence for each of the four distinct cohorts each year (Feb/Mar, Apr/May, Jul/Aug and Oct/Nov) ; artists are expected to stay for a full two months. Housing is provided a block away in a newly renovated residence with private bedrooms, washer/dryer, internet, shared living space and kitchen. Artists are responsible for materials, specialized tools and food. Bicycles are provided; transport for materials purchase and other needs is also available.

The studio and house are located in an eclectic, historically underserved, diverse and upcoming Utica neighborhood — close to downtown, and situated in Central New York’s scenic Mohawk Valley. Because of Sculpture Space’s long history and presence in Utica, the community is supportive and receptive to site-specific work; in particular, we are interested in projects that realize and expand examples of creative place-making to our neighborhood and the community.

Since 1976, Sculpture Space has helped to support the careers and studio practice of over 700 artists from around the world. As desired, artists and arts professionals (including curators and writers) are invited for informal studio visits. The collaborative environment of the studio and the communal aspects of the residence help foster dialogue, the exchange of ideas, creative experimentation and both personal and professional connections. The local community is invited to Works in Progress reception during each cohort; other visits are arranged by appointment.

Artists are selected to the program by a panel of artists and professionals in the sculpting field. Applicants will be notified in March if accepted. Primary criteria for selection are based on the quality, originality and potential of each artist work and proposed project. We offer a $1000 stipend to offset travel and expenses. Dependent on funding, financial aid may be made available. Funded residencies should not be relied on and all accepted artists are encouraged to find individual grants and funding.

Artists are required to acknowledge Sculpture Space when works made while in residence are subsequently exhibited or published and provide high-quality images of works for the website, archives and publications. In addition, we require artists donate a mutually-agreed upon artwork to be sold at our annual CHAIRity Art Auction, held every September, benefitting Sculpture Space’s programming.

AN ARTIST FOCUSED RESIDENCY

Each year we invite up to twenty-four of the brightest and best sculptors to Sculpture Space in Utica, New York. Each selected artist receives the benefit of $7000 in support for their two-month stay here. Importantly, 80% of Sculpture Space’s total expenditures directly benefit our visiting artists.

To break down this $7,000 support: 37% provides free residential housing one-block from our studio: 46% provides twenty-four hour access to a private studio in our 5,500 sqft sculpting studio; and 7% outfit the studio with with tools and basic supplies. Additionally, we have recently increased a direct monetary stipend to $1000 which directly supports living/art expenses while in residence.

Sculpture Space puts the artist first with the continued goal of providing the most supportive environment for our visiting artists.