Organizer Information
A House Unbuilt is a nonprofit arts organization working at the intersection of art, environment, community, movement, storytelling, and place-based inquiry. Its programs connect artists and communities through creative exploration, dialogue, and engagement with water and the surrounding landscape. The organization operates across the St. Croix River Valley, Coastal Louisiana, and other communities connected to the Mississippi River watershed. Its Art & Water Space in Stillwater, Minnesota functions as a studio, gallery, reading room, and community space, hosting exhibitions, workshops, public conversations, and artist residencies.
Title & Description
Art & Water Residency — A House Unbuilt
Art & Water Residency is a short-term residency program connecting artistic practice with water, environment, community, and place. The program currently includes two residency opportunities: the Art & Water Micro Residency in Stillwater, Minnesota, and the Gulf Coast Materials Residency in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Stillwater Micro Residency supports artists developing new work, researching ideas, experimenting with materials, or engaging deeply with the local environment and community. The flexible Art & Water Space can accommodate installation, research, material exploration, listening practices, choreography, and multidisciplinary experimentation. Artists are encouraged to explore themes including ecology, movement, memory, environment, and community storytelling.
The Lake Charles residency is specifically designed for artists working with ceramics and clay-based practices. Hosted by The Art Factory and facilitated by A House Unbuilt, it provides dedicated studio access for material experimentation, sculptural development, and research-informed making. Artists are encouraged to respond to Southwest Louisiana's waterways, coastal ecosystems, industrial landscape, weather, and cultural histories.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Ceramic Art
- Sculpture
- Installation
- Performance
- Choreography
- Multidisciplinary Art
- Environmental Art
- Social Practice
- Material-Based Art
- Research-Based Art
- Community-Engaged Art
The Lake Charles residency specifically prioritizes Ceramics, Clay-Based Art, and Materially Driven Sculpture.
Eligibility
The Stillwater residency is a regional call, primarily intended for artists from the Twin Cities metropolitan area and St. Croix River Valley. For the 2027 cycle, inquiries from Greater Minnesota and the Midwest are also welcomed.
The Lake Charles residency prioritizes artists connected to Southwest Louisiana, including McNeese State University alumni and regional artists. Emerging and mid-career ceramic artists are eligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists receive a small artist stipend, administrative support, and access to studio facilities appropriate to their practice.
For Stillwater residents, the Art & Water Space provides a flexible working environment for research, experimentation, and development of new work. Residents must also conduct at least one public engagement activity, such as an open studio, workshop, performance, or facilitated conversation.
Lake Charles residents receive studio access, ceramic equipment and facilities, administrative and curatorial support, public programming opportunities, and an artist stipend. The selected artist must participate in one community workshop and one artist talk or facilitated discussion.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Applicants should email their materials to victoria@ahouseunbuilt.com.
Key Dates
Stillwater — 2026
- Applications Open: July 1, 2026
- Deadline: September 26, 2026
- Residency: November 14–December 13, 2026
- Length: 1–4 weeks
Stillwater — 2027
- Applications Open: September 11, 2026
- Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Residency periods: March–April, July–August, and November–December 2027
- Length: 1–4 weeks
Lake Charles — 2026/2027
- Applications Open: July 1, 2026
- Deadline: September 18, 2026
- Fall residency: November 30–December 13, 2026
- Spring residency: April 5–18, 2027
Location
- Stillwater, Minnesota, United States
- Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Additional Details
The residencies are strongly site-responsive and community-oriented. Participation in public programming is an integral part of the residency rather than simply an optional exhibition opportunity. Applicants should therefore demonstrate an interest in connecting their artistic research with place, environment, materials, or community.
The Stillwater program encourages culminating projects or bodies of work but does not require a finished project. The Lake Charles residency is particularly appropriate for artists whose practices depend on access to ceramic equipment and dedicated material experimentation.