Organizer Information:

Mendocino Art Center (MAC). Since 1959, MAC has served as a haven for artists, located just a quarter mile from the rugged Northern California headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The ceramics department features one of the few women-run woodfire kilns in the country.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Ceramics Artist in Residency Program (2026–2027).

This 8-month residency is designed for artists working in clay to deepen their practice, experiment boldly, and root themselves in a vibrant coastal community. The program provides a 10x10 dedicated studio space, 24-hour access to high-end facilities, and an environment focused on both rigorous practice and community exchange.

Category:

Ceramics (Also open to multidisciplinary artists with a strong emphasis on clay).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Artists working in ceramics (minimum age 18 at start).
  • Physical Requirement: Studio apartments and facilities are located on the second floor; residents MUST be able to comfortably navigate an outdoor staircase.
  • Work Study: Residents are strictly required to contribute 4 hours per week of studio work trade (cleaning, loading kilns, restocking materials, and inventory).
  • Environment: Residents must be mindful of noise levels as the studios are located within a performing arts theater building.
  • Fee Waiver: Artists who are Indigenous to the Americas are eligible for a 100% waived entry fee (contact ceramics@mendocinoartcenter.org for the discount code).

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Facilities: 24/7 access to a 10x10 dedicated studio and communal areas. Equipment includes a glaze lab, slab roller, extruder, clay mixer, and a diverse range of kilns (2 Electric, 2 Gas, Bourry-box train kiln, and Catenary arch wood-soda kiln).
  • Exhibitions: All residents are invited to participate in a month-long exhibition in the MAC Main Gallery during April 2027.
  • Professional Development: Opportunities for teaching workshops, leading demonstrations, and hosting open studios.
  • Firings: One electric firing per month is included in the residency fee.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Entry Fee: $10.00.
  • Monthly Rent: $700 per month. This covers a furnished private studio apartment (with shared kitchen/bathroom) and the dedicated art studio space.
  • Additional Costs: Residents are responsible for their own materials and additional firing fees (available at a discounted rate).

Application Requirements:

Submit via Artwork Archive, including:

  1. 6 images of work made in the past two years.
  2. Letter of Intent (300 words max): Outlining your goals and why MAC is the right fit.
  3. Artist Statement (300 words max) and Biography (200 words max).
  4. CV and 2 professional references.

How to Apply?

Submit your application materials via the official Artwork Archive portal link provided on the Mendocino Art Center website.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT.
  • Residency Term: October 5, 2026 – May 21, 2027 (8 months).
  • Main Gallery Exhibition: April 2027.

Location:

Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, California, USA.

Contact Information:

Email: ceramics@mendocinoartcenter.org (Katie Applebaum, Ceramics Studio Coordinator).

Website: https://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/ceramic-residency