About

The work of an artist is in many ways shaped by the environment they are in. Be it a living room turned painting studio, a garage that is also a workshop, or even the spaces of the professionals with all the bells and whistles; no matter the circumstance each comes with limits of material and methods. 

The Young Artist Residency at Salem Art Works enables the expansion of these limitations. With a community of artists guiding you to explore other mediums, you can take risks you may not have otherwise. Tools and equipment are available to support your development of new techniques, transforming your practice into something more significant. And the most precious thing of all, time. 

The residency gives you the time you need to exercise the creative freedom inherent in a space such as the one SAW has cultivated over the many years. This environment is one unlike any other and with it, the opportunity to open doors both in mind and in the matter.

Salem Art Works invites artists to develop their work during one of two sessions at our beautiful 119-acre former dairy farm artist residency situated in eastern Washington County, NY.

Session 1: Monday, June 3 – Friday, July 26, 2024
Session 2: Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 to Monday, September 30th, 2024.

Artists can apply to gain experience with exhibitions and the sculpture park, artist services, administrative support, and general assistance.

Participants are provided with camping, meals, and a studio in exchange for a work trade of 30 hours per week. Artists will be responsible for general cleaning, preparing their own meals within a rotating cooking schedule, and primarily supporting their area of focus and other assigned tasks depending on the artist's goals and skillset. Everyone will be taking turns cooking and we can not guarantee all dietary needs will be accommodated. For that reason, residents have access to both the indoor and outdoor kitchens for meal preparation and may need to make their own arrangements.

Each session will culminate in a gallery exhibition at Salem Art Works, Salem, NY. Artists will display work from their time at Salem Art Works, as well as any other work they choose to present.

The goal of the Young Artist program is to gain experience in an area of focus with access to all of SAW’s facilities to develop one’s artistic career through presenting work, documenting, and talking about your work.

Program Summary

Application Information

Requirements:

• Must be 21 or older to apply

• Prior experience and proficiency in the studio you apply to

• Artists must be available for the full duration of the residency.

• Artists may arrive or depart up to 5 days after the start date of Session 1 or the end date of Session 2. We do not have the availability to extend or shorten a residency in-between sessions.

• Donate one artwork to SAW’s annual fall auction.

• If you are not a legal United States Resident, you must work with your embassy to complete any required paperwork or apply for an appropriate VISA. Please contact Salem Art Works administrative team if you need any assistance or to provide any documentation.

Review Process

• Preference is given to artists who have completed or are currently enrolled in a Bachelor, MFA, Apprenticeship, or similar experience.

• Preference is given to artists with prior teaching experience for teens or adults.

• SAWs programs, activities, and services are provided equally without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Application

• Personal Information (i.e. name, address, phone, email)

• Three references upon request

• Areas of Focus: Sculpture Park & Exhibitions, Artist Services, Administrative Support, General

• Availability (apply for session 1, 2, or both sessions and one will be assigned to you).

• URLS (optional)

• Required documents: 10 work samples, title sheet, resume, and cover letter

• Optional documents: 5 documents (examples: additional images, letter of recommendation, sculpture park or exhibition proposal, workshop proposal, teacher and/or student work samples )

  Day to Day Schedule

• Artists meet daily in the morning for a group clean-up.

• Artists are responsible for reporting their hours to their assigned supervisor weekly.

• Once a week studio crit (Approximately 1 hour).

• The residency culminates in a group exhibition.

• Artists are expected to help and/or attend events.

• Artists may request time off, but will be expected to make it up unless they receive approval.

  Important Dates

• Residency dates:
  Session 1: Monday, June 3 – Friday, July 26, 2024
  Session 2: Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 to Monday, September 30th, 2024.
  Artists may arrive a few days early for session 1 and depart a few days later during session 2. Artists may not extend their time without approval.

• Application deadline: Monday, February 5th, 2024

• Artist Notification: 1st week of March (acceptance, waitlist, and declined applications).

• Artist Acceptance: 1 week from notification of acceptance. Artists must accept by emailing us a headshot, artist statement, biography, and option 3 preferred work samples for social media posts. Artists must also complete an acceptance form with emergency contact info, any dietary restrictions or allergies, any dates not available during the residency, and housing preference.

  Changes or Late applications

• Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any changes.

• SAW will not accept late applications and encourages artists who miss the deadline to check out our weekend workshops and our self-funded Independent Artist Residencies.