Organizer Information:

Cuttyhunk Island Artists' Residency (CIAR). The residency hosts groups of twelve artists at the historic Avalon Inn on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, encouraging artists to use the island itself as their studio.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the CIAR Fall Artists' Residency 2026.

This residency offers visual artists focused time and a supportive environment to develop their work removed from daily distractions. Residents share communal meals prepared by a chef team and enjoy uninterrupted time to immerse themselves in their creative process. The Fall 2026 session features Visiting Artists Claudia Keep and Randall Exon.

Category:

Visual Arts (Including drawing, painting, collage, small sculpture, photography, and video).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Visual artists working in all mediums and at varying stages of their life and career.
  • Studio Constraints: Artists MUST have a portable studio practice (easy set-up/break-down methods). There are strictly NO special tools or shop spaces available for large-scale or intensive sculpture projects.
  • Medical & Dietary Constraints: Due to the island's remote location and limited medical access, the residency kitchen is strictly UNABLE to accommodate life-threatening food allergies.

Program Benefits & Amenities:

  • Accommodation: Housing in the historic Avalon Inn (ranging from triple shared to private single rooms).
  • Meals: Three daily communal meals prepared by the residency chef team (plus snacks/beverages).
  • Programming: Interaction with visiting professionals, residency programming, and complementary use of golf carts at the inn.
  • Fellowships: Several full and partial fellowships are available to cover or offset costs, including:
    • Environmental Artist Fellowship (Focus on nature/ecology).
    • Open Merit Fellowship.
    • Paul Cuffe Fellowship (For an artist of color).
    • Wellspring Fellowship (For an artist who is a parent with a child under 18).
    • Partial / Work-Study Fellowship (Reduced cost in exchange for 1 hour of daily kitchen work).
    • (Note: Fellowship recipients will automatically be placed in shared room accommodations).

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $25 (Submitted via Submittable).
  • Program Cost: Varies by room choice.
    • Triple Room (Shared with 2 others): $1,950 – $2,100
    • Double Room (Shared with 1 other): $2,500 – $2,800
    • Single Room (Private): $3,300 – $3,600
  • Travel: Participants are strictly responsible for their own travel to and from the residency, including the ferry tickets and luggage fees from New Bedford, MA.

Application Requirements:

  • Submit your application and portfolio materials via the official Submittable portal.
  • (Note: It is recommended that accepted artists bring a laptop with examples of their work to show visiting artists and peers).

How to Apply?

Complete the online application form and pay the submission fee via Submittable.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Residency Dates: September 9 – 16, 2026.

Location:

Cuttyhunk Island (Avalon Inn), Massachusetts, USA. (Ferry departs from New Bedford, MA).

Contact Information:

Inquiries Email: info@cuttyhunkartists.org

Website: https://www.cuttyhunkislandresidency.com/fallresidency-2026