Cottage and Studio
The Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program provides living and studio space for one artist at a time. The residence is a charming 1,100 sq. ft. historic cottage that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built circa 1861 and is located within Weir Farm NHP. A large separate studio just a few steps from the residence is equipped with a professional easel, several large and small tables, and a variety of hand tools. Printmakers may rent off-site facilities through an affiliation with the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT. The cottage is comfortably furnished with linens, wireless internet, and a fully equipped kitchen. Having a car is extremely helpful although it is not a necessity. Artists without vehicles typically have groceries delivered or utilize car service apps such as Uber or Lyft to get around.
Application Information
Eligibility
Graduate students, emerging artists, and professional artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Artists must be 25+ at the time of application and must be eligible to travel to and within the United States Weir Farm NHP is not responsible for procuring or sponsoring visas to the United States.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or national origin.
Accessibility
The Weir Farm AIR program welcomes artists of all physical capabilities. The art studio and restroom are wheelchair accessible. The historic cottage is not. Artists are not required to stay in the cottage as a part of their residency. Artists who choose not to stay in the cottage are encouraged to find local accommodation elsewhere in the community for the duration of their residency. Off-site accommodations are at the expense of the artist.
Deadline
The application period for the 2024 Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program will run from November 1, 2023-January 31, 2024.
Financial Support
Each artist will receive a $100 per week stipend provided by the Weir Farm Art Alliance for the duration of their residency. Half of the stiped will be provided when the artist arrives on-site, and half will be provided at the conclusion of the residency. Weir Farm NHP provides housing, studio space, utilities, and wireless internet.
Artists are responsible for their own personal living expenses, supplies, and any other expenses related to the cost of producing work that may be incurred while in the program. Travel and shipping expenses to and from Weir Farm NHP are also the responsibility of the artist.
Selection
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. The panel of jurors will consider applications based on the following:
Additional suggestions: Strong submissions often include a well-written workplan, artist statement and recent work samples (within the past two years); articulate what is exciting, different, interesting, or innovative about your process/work; have evidence of some preliminary research and understanding of Weir Farm, the Park’s history, and/or the trajectory of American art; address compelling or relevant topics such as social injustice or climate change; and have a well-thought-out plan that also leaves room for flexibility and innovation.
Applicants may apply in any of the following visual art media:
Expectations and Requirements
Limitations
Submitting the Application
The application period for the 2024 Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program will run from November 1, 2023-January 31, 2024. Click here to submit an application.
The Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program provides living and studio space for one artist at a time. The residence is a charming 1,100 sq. ft. historic cottage that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built circa 1861 and is located within Weir Farm NHP. A large separate studio just a few steps from the residence is equipped with a professional easel, several large and small tables, and a variety of hand tools. Printmakers may rent off-site facilities through an affiliation with the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT. The cottage is comfortably furnished with linens, wireless internet, and a fully equipped kitchen. Having a car is extremely helpful although it is not a necessity. Artists without vehicles typically have groceries delivered or utilize car service apps such as Uber or Lyft to get around.
Application Information
Eligibility
Graduate students, emerging artists, and professional artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Artists must be 25+ at the time of application and must be eligible to travel to and within the United States Weir Farm NHP is not responsible for procuring or sponsoring visas to the United States.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or national origin.
Accessibility
The Weir Farm AIR program welcomes artists of all physical capabilities. The art studio and restroom are wheelchair accessible. The historic cottage is not. Artists are not required to stay in the cottage as a part of their residency. Artists who choose not to stay in the cottage are encouraged to find local accommodation elsewhere in the community for the duration of their residency. Off-site accommodations are at the expense of the artist.
Deadline
The application period for the 2024 Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program will run from November 1, 2023-January 31, 2024.
Financial Support
Each artist will receive a $100 per week stipend provided by the Weir Farm Art Alliance for the duration of their residency. Half of the stiped will be provided when the artist arrives on-site, and half will be provided at the conclusion of the residency. Weir Farm NHP provides housing, studio space, utilities, and wireless internet.
Artists are responsible for their own personal living expenses, supplies, and any other expenses related to the cost of producing work that may be incurred while in the program. Travel and shipping expenses to and from Weir Farm NHP are also the responsibility of the artist.
Selection
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. The panel of jurors will consider applications based on the following:
- Quality of work/artistic merit
- Well defined, realistic project proposal. What is the likelihood that the artist will be able to successfully execute their work plan in the time given?
- Selection of the cohort of six artists should represent a diversity of artistic mediums.
- Selected artists thoughtfully address the ‘Why Weir Farm’ question. Include artists who have reflected on the importance of this location, will flourish in this environment, and will capitalize on the opportunities specifically related to Weir Farm.
- Does the work foster experimentation, innovation, or diversity/relevance to audiences?
- Artists must commit to the full residency (4 weeks).
Additional suggestions: Strong submissions often include a well-written workplan, artist statement and recent work samples (within the past two years); articulate what is exciting, different, interesting, or innovative about your process/work; have evidence of some preliminary research and understanding of Weir Farm, the Park’s history, and/or the trajectory of American art; address compelling or relevant topics such as social injustice or climate change; and have a well-thought-out plan that also leaves room for flexibility and innovation.
Applicants may apply in any of the following visual art media:
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Fiber Art
- Mixed Media
Expectations and Requirements
- Age 25+ at submission of application
- Graduate student, Emerging Artist, Professional Artist
- Artists may only apply as individuals, as only one person can be in residency at a time. Couples, collectives, etc. will not be considered.
- Ability to speak and read English at a conversational level.
- Willingness to engage with the Park and art community while in residence:
- Welcome Event - Artists are required to attend a Welcome event - a small meet and greet event with Park staff, partners, volunteers held at the start of each residency that is organized by the Friends of Weir Farm.
- Open Studio: Meet The Artist event – Artists are required to provide one public program during their residency – a Public Open Studio. This program will be scheduled with Park staff and will take place towards the end of your residency. This is your opportunity to share your work and a bit about your experience with the public in the studio space.
- Artists are required to sign up with the NPS VIP Program as volunteers and track/submit their hours worked.
- Artists are required to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement Form and adhere to all Park Polices during their residency.
- While not required, it is encouraged that artists arrive with their own mode of transportation. Due to the location, a vehicle is recommended. Biking in the area is not encouraged.
- Artists will send 3-5 images of their work to the Park each week of the residency to be shared on Park and partner social media.
- Artists will send digital representation of their work done while in residence no later than 6 months from the last date in residency.
- Artists are required to complete a post-residency feedback questionnaire.
- Must commit to full 4-week residency (applicants requesting a shortened residency will be removed from consideration).
- Upon accepting the residency, artists must provide headshot, bio, and paperwork as requested.
- Optional: Artists will participate in a post-residency video interview speaking on their experience and sharing images of their work/work-in-progress.
- For more information about the Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program, click here.
Limitations
- Projects that plan for outdoor installations or projects that may negatively impact Weir Farm’s natural and cultural resources will not be considered. Weir Farm NHP does not allow any temporary or permanent installations on-site that would impact the historic landscape.
- The use of toxic chemicals or hazardous materials is prohibited. Prohibited items include chemicals identified as hazardous in the Safety Data Sheets Database, combustible materials, large quantities of paint thinners, anything containing mercury, and heavy metals (such as lead).
- Working with open flames, welding, grinding of metal, or acid etching is prohibited. Items that produce heat that do not have an automatic shutoff are prohibited (Weir Farm has an approved hot plate available for studio use).
- 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.
- Selling artwork on Federal lands is prohibited.
- No overnight guests or pets.
- No smoking.
- There is not a kiln and firing would not be permitted on the property.
- Limited access to museum collections (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.)
Submitting the Application
The application period for the 2024 Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program will run from November 1, 2023-January 31, 2024. Click here to submit an application.
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