Organizer Information
The Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA), founded in 2002 and located in Eastport, Maine, on the U.S./Canada border, serves as the eastern coast of Maine's first significant cultural institution. It acts as a cultural anchor and catalyst, bridging boundaries and exploring borders to connect the region to the broader world. TIMA stewards a dozen historic cultural sites (including nine buildings dating from 1819 to the early 1940s, some on the National Register of Historic Places), builds collections focused on art, architecture, and history of the northeast U.S./Canada coast, and fosters new works through programs like Special Projects, Hand Line Press, and the StudioWorks Artist-in-Residence Program (launched in 2013). The organization emphasizes community vitality, economic prosperity, and cross-sector innovation, with awards including ArtPlace funding and a 2023 NEH Challenge Grant. StudioWorks has hosted 125 artists from 29 U.S. states and 9 countries as of late 2025.
Title & Description
2026 StudioWorks Artist Residency Program
This residency offers visual artists and craftspeople generous private studio space, time to deepen and develop their practice, and immersion in a supportive, community-oriented environment. Located in the historic downtown and working waterfront of Eastport, Maine, overlooking the U.S./Canada boundary, the program places the arts at the center of the community to foster engagement and create a vibrant downtown. Artists work on a specific project, often incorporating place-based elements (e.g., regional history, botany, tides, maritime themes, or the international boundary), while actively participating in the community through open studio hours, workshops, artist talks, educational outreach, or socially engaged practices. Residencies emphasize community interaction over solitude, with opportunities to access museum collections, printmaking/letterpress equipment, and local partnerships. Past residents have explored mixed media, printmaking, painting, sculpture, textiles, and more, often teaching workshops or collaborating with local groups.
Categories
Visual Art, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Digital/New Media, Installation, Sculpture, Textiles, Crafts (including wood, metal, fibers, ceramics, letterpress), and combinations thereof.
Eligibility
Open internationally to professionally established and/or emerging visual artists and craftspeople from anywhere in the world. A working degree of English fluency is required for community engagement and staff interaction. Collaborative pairs (max 2) may apply (each submits separately, indicating collaboration). Preference is given to artists not already living/working in Washington County, Maine, or Charlotte County, New Brunswick. Ineligible: Students enrolled in associate, undergraduate, or master's degree programs at the deadline (doctoral candidates eligible); StudioWorks alumni (contacted separately for future opportunities); Groups/collectives larger than 2.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Private studio space (approx. 450–500 sq. ft.) and housing at no cost.
- Access to museum/research collections, printmaking/letterpress equipment (e.g., etching presses, Vandercook letterpress), basic tools, sewing machines, looms, media equipment, and shared supplies.
- Financial stipend: U.S. artists receive $2,000 (4 weeks), $1,000 (2 weeks), or $4,000 (8 weeks), paid in two installments. International artists are ineligible for stipend due to visa limitations but may be reimbursed up to equivalent amounts for airfare, ground transportation, food, and living expenses (receipts required).
- Support for requests to bring pets, children, and/or partners (noted in application; affects assignments).
- Leisure bicycles available; detailed travel planning provided upon acceptance.
- Opportunity for letters of support for external funding pursuits.
Artists cover personal living expenses, materials, travel/insurance, artwork shipping, and visas (for non-U.S.).
Application Fee
$30
Application Requirements
- 1–2 page written proposal (detailed project description, including community engagement component—required; proposals without this are not considered).
- Availability survey (list preferred terms and reasons for shorter requests).
- Short answer on interest in StudioWorks.
- CV, resume, or biographical statement.
- Current contact information for 3 professional references (contacted for finalists).
- Up to 10 images of recent work (with title, size, media) or links/uploads for time-based media.
- Short answer for special requests (e.g., family/partner/pet, accommodations).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Finalists notified: Mid-February 2026 (references contacted, possible Zoom interviews)
- All notifications: On or around March 1, 2026
- 2026 Residency terms (examples):
- 4-week: April 5–May 1; August 2–28; Sept 13–Oct 9; Oct 18–Nov 13; Nov 15–Dec 11
- 8-week: Oct 18–Dec 11
- 2-week: Available within 4-week periods (request with reason)
Location
Eastport, Maine, United States
Additional Details
Artists must be self-sufficient in realizing proposals (no instruction or assistants provided). Community engagement is central—expect regular open hours, artist talk/open studio in the final week, and accessibility for public interaction (not ideal for those seeking complete solitude). Proposals relating to place, site-specific elements, or community input are favored; purely finishing existing work or unrelated subjects are less competitive. Smoking/vaping/open flames prohibited. Transportation note: Limited public options; car may be needed for some projects (parking available if bringing a vehicle). Specific housing details (e.g., private bedroom/bath in shared house or apartment) provided upon acceptance. Contact program director Kristin McKinlay (studioworks@tidesinstitute.org) for questions (email preferred).