Alex Brown Foundation Artist-in-Residence Program

The Alex Brown Foundation & Residency, inaugurated in 2020, offers visiting artists from around the world the unique opportunity to create their work in our intimate, modest-sized city. A residency at The Alex Brown Foundation is ideal for artists looking to work in a spacious private studio without distraction, and access to a unique community. We will be accepting applications until March 15th, 2024 for residencies beginning in January 2025.

Residency at Mainframe Studios

Established with funds from Brown’s estate and donations from family and friends, the Alex Brown Foundation & Residency Fund in partnership with Mainframe Studios is happy to announce our residents for 2024.

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Mission

The aim of the residency is to provide emerging and established artists of exceptional merit with an experience of the working conditions that artist Alex Brown (1966-2019) found in Des Moines, IA—the ability to make the work you want to make, free from the daily influence of being immersed in a major metropolitan scene but without the isolation of a rural residency, in an exceptional studio environment and a relaxed and pleasant living environment.

Residency Term

There are two 8 week and two 12 week residency terms in 2025.

Choose to be in residence for no less than 8 weeks, or as long as 12 weeks (3 months). Applications are accepted from artists working in any medium.

Amenities included

The residency is designed to provide the artist with an opportunity to focus entirely on their work for an extended period of time, in a comfortable work and living environment, and in a city consistently ranked in recent years as one of the best places to live in the U.S.—the city David Byrne called “beyond cool.” A residency at The Alex Brown Foundation is ideal for those looking to work in a spacious private studio with little distraction.

Studio

Dedicated use of a 1400 sq. ft. studio space at Mainframe Studios, a renovated 1970s telecommunications building in downtown Des Moines.

Stipend

A monthly expense allowance of $1,000, plus up-to $1,000 airfare or reimbursement for other travel to and from Des Moines.

Stipends are adjusted according to the agreed residency duration.

Housing

The foundation provides a fully furnished one bedroom apartment situated in a quiet centrally located neighborhood, just a 3-minute drive and a 14-minute walk from the studio.

The Alex Brown Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2025 artist residency program. Applications will be accepted from artists working in any medium. $10 USD application fee, with an increase on March 8th to $20 USD. We will be accepting applications until March 15, 2024 for residencies beginning January of 2025. If you are interested in participating, complete the form below and compile your application materials into a single PDF, including