Organizer Information
The Recycling Artist Residency (RAIR) 2026 is officially open for applications, offering a unique platform for artists to explore the intersection of sustainability and creativity. This program is organized by the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive creative economy in Bellevue, Washington. Based in a historically industrial area, the Alliance leads the transformation of the district into a cultural hub where arts serve as the primary catalyst for urban growth. In collaboration with the City of Bellevue and Republic Services, a leader in environmental services, the Alliance established this Residency to merge high-level artistic innovation with environmental stewardship.
Title & Description
Recycling Artist Residency (RAIR) 2026
This residency is a pioneering initiative designed to challenge perceptions of waste and consumption. Inspired by the renowned Recology programs, the BelRed RAIR program invites artists to explore the intersection of art and sustainability. The selected artist will be tasked with creating a body of work primarily using materials salvaged from the waste stream. The residency emphasizes "creative reuse," encouraging the public to reconsider their relationship with discarded items. Residents are expected to produce high-quality, thought-provoking art that reflects the local environment and the global necessity of recycling.
Categories
- Visual Art: Sculpture, Installation, Mixed Media, Painting (using reclaimed surfaces).
- Textile Art: Weaving or fiber arts utilizing recycled materials.
- Interdisciplinary: Projects that combine performance or digital elements with physical reclaimed structures.(Note: The studio currently does not have a kiln or hot shop; however, the residency is open to any medium that can be safely executed within a standard studio environment.)
Eligibility
- Location: Open to local, career-level artists living in the Greater Seattle Area, with a strong preference for those based on the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, etc.).
- Experience: Applicants should be professional artists who can demonstrate a history of original artwork.
- Content: Artwork must be suitable for public display and a general audience (no graphic violence, branding, or sexually explicit material).
- Commitment: Artists must be able to dedicate roughly 15–20 hours per week to the residency activities.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Financial Support: A monthly stipend of $1,400 (totaling $4,200 for the 3-month term).
- Studio Space: A fully-funded, private studio at the BelRed Arts Studio.
- Material Access: Exclusive "scavenging rights" at the Republic Services’ Bellevue mini recycling center and the Seattle Recycle Center.
- Exhibition & Programming: A public workshop or program at the close of the residency to showcase the final work.
- Legacy: Opportunity to have work curated into the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance’s permanent collection or loaned for public display across the city.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Professional CV/Resume: Detailing artistic background and exhibition history.
- Artist Statement: Reflecting on your interest in sustainability and creative reuse.
- Project Proposal: A brief outline of what you hope to explore or create during the residency.
- Portfolio: Digital samples of past work (typically 5–10 images or video links).
- Contact Information: Full name, phone number, and email.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 8 January 2026
- Residency Period: February 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026
- Public Showcase/Event: Friday, April 24, 2026
Location
Bellevue, Washington, United States
Additional Details
The resident artist will act as an environmental ambassador. Beyond the creation of art, the artist is encouraged to engage with the community to promote mindfulness regarding consumption and waste disposal. The residency culminates in a "Public Day" where the community is invited into the studio to see the transformation of "trash" into "treasure."