If you do not find an answer to your question below or require further assistance, please contact Weir Farm NHP by e-mail.
What is the Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program?
The Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program takes place at the only National Park site dedicated to American Painting, Weir Farm National Historical Park (Weir Farm NHP). The program is part of the park’s legislated mission to preserve the tradition of inspiring the medium of contemporary visual art practice; providing the opportunity for artists to live and work at a national park, and in keeping with Weir’s ongoing role in developing thought provoking and cutting-edge work of his time.
The Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program keeps the artistic tradition of the site alive by offering talented individuals an environment rich with history and endless amounts of inspiration in which they can produce works of art. Since 1998, Weir Farm NHP has welcomed more than 250 artists from across the United States, as well as Tunisia, Germany, Australia, India, Ireland, South Africa, and The Netherlands. Weir Farm NHP works with partners, including the Weir Farm Art Alliance (WFAA) and the Friends of Weir Farm, to promote and manage aspects of the residency program.
The Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program runs from May through October.
The Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program keeps the artistic tradition of the site alive by offering talented individuals an environment rich with history and endless amounts of inspiration in which they can produce works of art. Since 1998, Weir Farm NHP has welcomed more than 250 artists from across the United States, as well as Tunisia, Germany, Australia, India, Ireland, South Africa, and The Netherlands. Weir Farm NHP works with partners, including the Weir Farm Art Alliance (WFAA) and the Friends of Weir Farm, to promote and manage aspects of the residency program.
The Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program runs from May through October.
Who is eligible to apply?
Weir Farm NHP encourages applications from artists representing a wide range of perspectives, demographics, and media (e.g., painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, fiber art, mixed media). Graduate & Doctoral students, emerging and professional artists aged 25+ at the time of application may apply. Applicants must be eligible to travel to and within the United States. Weir Farm NHP and the Artist-in-Residence Program are not responsible for procuring or sponsoring visas to the United States.
What is the cost of a residency?
The only fee associated with this residency is the $35 Application Fee. Artists are responsible for the cost of travel to and from Weir Farm NHP. Artists are also responsible for all of their living expenses and the cost of shipping supplies or artwork to and from the site.
How long is an average residency? Is there a minimum length of stay?
The average residency lasts for one month. Minimum length of stay is two-weeks.
How often am I allowed to apply?
You may apply each year. If you are placed on the waiting list and not offered a residency or must cancel your residency, you are encouraged to apply again. Artists chosen for a residency are invited to re-apply to the program for the third year following their first residency (for example an artist who participated in 2022 AIR Program could apply again for the 2025 AIR Program.)
Am I allowed to defer my residency?
Residencies accepted may not be deferred to subsequent years.
Do you allow collaborators to apply to the Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program?
No. We only accept one artist per month for the residency.
May I apply with my spouse?
No. We only accept one artist per month for the residency.
May I bring my partner, child, or pet with me to the Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program?
Overnight guests, partners, spouses, children or pets are not allowed to stay during your residency. Guests (including friends, family, and spouses) who may be visiting during your residency will need to find area accommodations. Many hotels are available in the Norwalk and Danbury areas. Day visits from guests are welcome, but due to parking limitations if you have guests arriving in two or more cars, you must get permission in advance from the Park.
How do I apply? What does the application include?
Applications are accepted via CaFÉ. In addition to general contact information, the application asks for a brief artist statement, biography, resume/CV, response to prompts about your intended work, references, and optional information about diversity demographics. You are also asked to submit work samples: a minimum of 5, and maximum of 10. See full list of requirements on our website here.
When is the application deadline?
The 2023 Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program has an application deadline of February 1, 2023.
If I miss the application deadline may I be placed on the waiting list?
No. Each year, a waiting list of applicants is selected by the jury. If you miss an application deadline, you must wait until the following year to apply.
How do I know if my submitted application as been received?
To see the progress of your application, view the status column on the "My CaFÉ Entries" page.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULT OF MY APPLICATION?
Applicants will be notified of their application status approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline.
WHAT ARE THE WORK SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING TO THE WEIR FARM ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM?
Applicants must submit 5 - 10 digital images in JPEG or JPG format. File size should not exceed 5MB per image with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side.
HOW MANY ARTISTS ARE ACCEPTED TO THE WEIR FARM ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM EACH YEAR?
Approximately 6 artists are selected for the residency program each year. On occasion, if artists are only available to stay at the residency for two weeks, additional artists may be chosen for a shorter residency.
WHO REVIEWS MY APPLICATION?
A three-member jury of experts from the professional art world (academics, museum curators, gallery owners, professional artists, previous Artists-in-Residence) are selected to review applications.
HOW OFTEN DOES THE JURY PANEL CHANGE?
Jury members rotate on a yearly basis with no jury member serving more than two consecutive years. No jury will have more than one repeat juror in any given year.
I’VE APPLIED BEFORE AND WAS NOT OFFERED A RESIDENCY. HOW CAN I MAKE MY APPLICATION STRONGER?
We are not able to provide individual feedback to applicants. Our advice to all applicants is to ensure that your application is complete, that your artist statement and work plan are clear, and that your work samples are current. Following our application guidelines will ensure that the jurors have all the information that is needed to evaluate your application.
CAN I COLLECT MATERIALS FOUND IN NATURE TO USE IN MY WORK?
Collection of natural materials is not permitted on Federal land which includes all areas of Weir Farm NHP. Collection of natural materials may be permitted from within the neighboring Weir Preserve with permission.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM ME DURING AND FOLLOWING A RESIDENCY?
For a full list of expectations and requirements please visit our website here.
IF CHOSEN FOR A RESIDENCY, DO I NEED TO CREDIT THE WEIR FARM ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM WHEN EXHIBITING OR PUBLISHING MY WORK CREATED DURING THE RESIDENCY?
Artists are currently not required to credit the Weir Farm Artist-in-Residence program, but are encouraged to do so. If crediting the program/park, the credit line should read: “Created as National Park Service Artist-In-Residence at Weir Farm National Historical Park.”
Will I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC OR LEAD PROGRAMS DURING MY RESIDENCY?
During the residency, artists are required to provide one public program – an Open Studio: Meet The Artist event – towards the end of their residency. Additionally, there is an opportunity to informally interact with visitors during a weekly informal Saturday Open Studio hour. Being present in the studio and interacting with visitors during weekly open studio hours is optional for the artist. Artists will not have the opportunity to lead additional programs during their residency. Additional public engagement happens virtually through social media and a post-residency interview with the Weir Farm Art Alliance. Artists are also required to attend Welcome event - a small meet and greet event with park staff, partners, volunteers held at the start of each residency.
AM I REQUIRED TO DONATE A WORK OF ART TO THE PARK AS PART OF MY RESIDENCY?
No. Artists are not expected to donate any of their works to Weir Farm NHP. Weir Farm staff may take photos of you and/or your work during the residency with your permission. Images of artists and their work are used for social media posts, program documentation, and potentially park media (i.e. online or in publications like brochures, park website, e-flyers, etc.) to promote the AIR program.
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THE PARK’S COLLECTIONS OR ARCHIVES DURING MY RESIDENCY?
Artists may schedule a time with Park staff to take photographs inside the Weir House and Studios to use as inspiration for their work, but will not be permitted to handle any archives or collections or use them as part of their artistic process during the residency. The Park has many images and scans of collections and archives that can be shared with artists upon request.
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