APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ARTISTS & CURATORS

We are currently accepting applications from artists and curators for residencies in 2026 on a rolling basis. Residencies run from February 1 to November 30, with start dates typically on the first of each month. To fully benefit from the RU experience, we encourage residencies of 2 months or more for artists, and at least 1 month for curators. 

Please submit a proposal through this form. 

We encourage you to read our About RU page to learn more about our core values and features — and also sign up to our mailing list to receive RU news.

Once you have submitted your online application, the RU team will schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss your goals and determine mutual feasibility.

Selected artists and curators receive a formal letter of invitation from RU which serves both to confirm your residency and to assist your funding efforts. Funders typically support airfare, housing, stipend expenses, and, for artists, RU’s program fee ($1,900 per month in 2026).

CORE RESIDENCY FEATURES

Every residency is customized and discussed in detail with the RU team. During your residency we provide:

• Ongoing administrative and curatorial support from the RU Team. Residents are given access to the RU App designed to support schedule management. 
• Artists and curators can work from RU’s multi-functional and shared space located in Brooklyn. This space is suitable for research based practices and those not requiring intensive production. From May through October, artists with a wide range of practices can access studio space at the RU House on Governors Island. For artists with specific studio requirements, RU will help identify external studio space rentals. 
• Weekly studio visits/meetings for critical feedback between artists and art professionals (See Guest Visitors Program). Curators-in-residence are also invited to meet the artists in residence. 
• Each resident participates in a group exhibition, talk or other program opportunity. Curators are invited to present their practice in RU’s Meet Over Lunch series (Examples of RU’s 2025 programming can be found here).
• Monthly Welcome Gatherings for incoming artists, field trips twice a month, and weekly community building activities.
• Access to Material for the Arts for free materials.

SPECIAL PROGRAM: NYC-BASED ARTISTS RESIDENCY (NYCBAR) 

Each year, RU supports four local NYC-based artists from underserved communities for fully funded residencies supported by NYSCA and DCLA. Our next open call for 2026 NYCBAR will be launched on October 30, 2025 for a three-month residency in March – May 2026. Please sign up to our mailing list to be notified about the open call. 

RU ALUMNI SUPPORT

Upon completing the residency, artists and curators join RU’s global alumni community (currently 850 members) and a dedicated mailing list. As part of our mission RU actively engages its alumni community in various ways, promoting their activities in our newsletters and social media, providing letters of recommendation, and offering additional support for projects and professional opportunities, among others. 

We look forward to welcoming a new cohort of artists for this exciting and supportive program.

If you have questions, please contact info@residencyunlimited.org

Residency Unlimited (RU) is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of the organization. RU represents a community of local and international artists from historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.