Young Artists

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 matter.

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

Session 1: Monday, June 1 – Monday, August 31st, 2026

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

Participants are provided with housing and a studio in exchange for a work trade of 20 hours per week. Artists will be responsible for general cleaning, preparing their own meals, and primarily supporting their area of focus and other assigned tasks, depending on the artist's goals and skillset.

The summer 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 one's work.

Program Summary

Benefits

  • 4-12 weeks

  • Free camping, studio, access to SAW shops.

  • 50% off materials, workshops, and kiln firings in shops not assigned.

  • Paid opportunity to offer workshops. Workshops can be arranged upon acceptance prior to the residency.

  • Opportunity to sell work during exhibitions and events (30/saw 70/artist split).

Cost

  • Free to apply

  • 20-hour-a-week work-trade

  • Artists are responsible for 50% of materials and consumables.

  • Artists may work on commissions as long as it does not interfere with their residency. Artists are responsible for the full rate of shop usage & materials for the commission.

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 up to 5 days after the start date of Session 1.

  • 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's, 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

  • 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 at 9 AM sharp.

  • 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 1 – Monday, August 31st, 2026

  • Application deadline: Friday, May 1st, 2025

  • Artist Notification: 2nd week of May (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.

Apply Now:

Please apply now for the summer work-trade residency by sending us an email to info@salemartworks.org with the required information from above, along with your CV.