Organizer Information
Centrum Foundation is a multidisciplinary arts organization based in the Pacific Northwest, United States, dedicated to supporting artists, writers, and creative practitioners across diverse fields. Through its residency programs, Centrum fosters experimentation, reflection, and cross-disciplinary exchange in a structured yet open environment designed to strengthen artistic practice.
The organization positions residencies as a foundational component of contemporary creative development, offering time, space, and community for artists to deepen their work. Its programming emphasizes inclusivity, peer learning, and engagement with contemporary issues across visual, literary, performative, and socially engaged practices. Centrum’s residency ecosystem brings together emerging, mid-career, and established practitioners, creating a layered environment of exchange and collaboration.
Title & Description
2027 Centrum Residency Application – Multi-Program Open Call (Self-Directed, Emerging Artist, In the Making)
This is a broad Residency open call inviting artists, writers, performers, and interdisciplinary creatives to apply for multiple residency formats offered in 2027 by Centrum Foundation in the United States.
The program is designed to provide time and space for focused creative development, experimentation, and reflection. Selected participants will join a cohort of residents working across different disciplines, fostering a dynamic environment of exchange and community building.
Applicants can apply for one or more of the following residency tracks:
- Self-Directed Residency
- Emerging Artist Residency (PNW-based only)
- In the Making Residency
The residency framework encourages artists to pause active production pressures and instead focus on deepening their practice, exploring new directions, and engaging with peers in a supportive environment.
Residencies are open to a wide range of practices, including Visual Arts, writing, Curatorial work, Performance, dance, music, and socially engaged creative practices.
Categories
- Residency
- Visual Arts
- Writing
- Curatorial
- Performance
- Dance
- Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Social Practice
- Literature
Eligibility
- International and U.S.-based artists (specific residency track restrictions apply)
- Emerging, mid-career, and established practitioners
- Artists working across multiple disciplines, including visual, literary, and performative practices
- Pacific Northwest-based artists (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia) for the Emerging Artist Residency only
- Individuals able to demonstrate an active creative practice through portfolio and work samples
Applicants must be able to provide:
- Documentation of their artistic practice
- A clear statement of intent for residency participation
- Availability for the residency period in 2027
The program emphasizes diversity of practice, background, and perspective, with juried selection based on artistic merit and relevance to contemporary issues.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Fully supported Residency experience in the United States
- Dedicated time and space for creative development and experimentation
- Access to a shared community environment with other artists and practitioners
- Opportunities for networking and peer exchange across disciplines
- Structured support for artistic reflection and practice development
- Inclusion in one of three residency programs with varying cohort sizes:
- Emerging Artist Residency: 6 spots
- In the Making Residency: 3–5 spots
- Self-Directed Residency: 55–60 spots
The residency prioritizes artistic growth, conceptual development, and community engagement over production outcomes.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Work samples (portfolio of artistic practice)
- Online portfolio link (if available)
- Demographic information for selection equity purposes
- Description of workspace or accommodation needs
- Short statement (one paragraph) describing what the residency would mean for their practice
- Selection of preferred residency program(s)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
- Residency Year: 2027
Location
Port Townsend, Washington, United States
Additional Details
Centrum emphasizes early submission due to high platform traffic near deadlines and does not accept late applications under any circumstances. The selection process is juried by a panel composed of alumni and professional artists, writers, and curators representing diverse disciplines and career stages.
Due to application volume, individual feedback is not provided. The residency selection prioritizes diversity of artistic practice and engagement with contemporary cultural and social issues.
The program is designed to balance solitude and community, offering both focused studio time and collaborative interaction among resident artists.