Keyholder Residency

The Keyholder Residency Program offers emerging artists free 24-hour access to printmaking facilities to develop new work and foster their artistic careers. Residencies are free and one year long, starting on April 1st and October 1st each year, and they take place in the shared Artists’ Studio, including the solvent/etching area and the darkroom.

Keyholders work independently, in a productive atmosphere alongside other contemporary artists. Artists from all disciplines are eligible to apply; print-making skills are not required, but some familiarity with the medium is recommended. Basic instruction in printmaking techniques is available for new Keyholders. Technical assistance is not included in the program, but is available at additional cost.

Participation is competitive. Applications are evaluated by a rotating committee of artists, critics, curators, and art professionals based on the quality of submitted artwork. A total of 8 artists are awarded the residency annually. Artists based in the New York City area and without access to a studio space are encouraged to apply.

KEYHOLDER RESIDENCY INCLUDES
24-hour shared studio access
$1,000 stipend
storage space
basic supplies (newsprint, blotters, solvents, cleaners)
one free class in printmaking and consultations with Master Printers
free career development workshops
inclusion in the Printshop’s permanent collection
opportunities to show new work in exhibitions and other public events presented by the Printshop
Keyholder Residencies have been supported in large part by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governer Andrew Cuomo and New York State Legislature, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Jerome Foundation, New York Community Trust, PECO Foundation, and Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation.

ELIGIBILITY
Only current legal US residents may apply (Social Security Number is a must!)
Students enrolled in any kind of degree program at the time of the residency are not eligible
Keyholder Residencies are limited to emerging artists only. The Printshop defines emerging artists as under-recognized and under-represented artists at early stages in their careers
Artists without access to a studio space are encouraged to apply
Past recipients of the Keyholder Residency are not eligible
Artist duos or teams are not eligible; residencies are awarded per artist
Artist must reside in the New York metro area during the year of residency
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Up to 8 digital images of recent (past 2 years) work *
Image list: your name, work title, year, medium, and dimensions
Application form
Artistic resume
Names and contact information for two references
* Images should be JPEG format, longest dimension maximum 1,000 pixels, 72 dpi, RGB color mode. Title each image as “Last Name_First Name_#” (ex. Smith_Pat_01.jpg). The panel will only consider still images, no video. Images will be projected from a Mac computer.

Materials must be submitted by 11:59PM EST on the deadline date, no exceptions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

No phone and/or email inquiries about the status of your application, please. All applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by email before the residency start date.

The Printshop does not provide housing assistance.