artist in residence

Creative people have always been drawn to Palm Springs. The desert light, dramatic mountain landscapes, iconic midcentury architecture, and vibrant creative culture have inspired generations of artists, photographers, designers, writers, and filmmakers.

Launching in Fall 2026, the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels Artist in Residence Program is a new creative initiative celebrating the relationship between art, architecture, hospitality, and placemaking. Developed in partnership with the boutique hotel community of Palm Springs, the residency invites photographers to document and interpret the city’s celebrated small hotels through their own artistic lens.

This juried residency program is designed for photographers who are passionate about architecture, the desert environment, storytelling, cultural preservation, and creative exploration.

Residency Overview

During the inaugural season, up to 12 photographers will be selected for 1 to 2 week residencies hosted across participating Palm Springs boutique hotels and resorts.

Artists will rotate among different properties, allowing them to experience and photograph a variety of architectural styles, histories, landscapes, and communities. Approximately 18 hotels will be included during the first residency cycle.

Selected photographers will have time and freedom to develop personal projects while engaging with fellow artists, writers, preservationists, and creative placemakers throughout Palm Springs.

At the conclusion of each residency season, participating artists will be featured in a curated public exhibition and sales showcase at the Palm Springs Cultural Center with the potential for other exhibitions.

Residency Dates

Three residency opportunities are planned during the inaugural year:

• Fall 2026 Residency Session One:  November 8 through 21, 2026

• Fall 2026 Residency Session Two:  December 6 through 19, 2026

• Winter 2027 Session Three: January 18 to 30, 2027

Selected photographers may participate in a residency of their choice lasting between one and two weeks.