Organizer Information

Kolaj Institute / Kolaj Magazine is a prominent organization and publication dedicated to the art of collage. Their mission centers on supporting collage artists, building a community around collage practices, and exploring how collage intersects with storytelling, folklore, and social issues.
They operate a physical gallery and studio space in New Orleans, located at 2374 Saint Claude Avenue.

Title & Description

Carnival as Folklore – Artist Residency

This is a five-day, in-person collage artist residency in New Orleans, organized by Kolaj Institute.
The residency explores Carnival as a form of folklore, looking at how Carnival traditions embody symbolic renewal, communal inversion of roles, and deep-rooted ritualistic behavior.
Participants will investigate how folklore functions in communities, learn to document it, and create collage artworks in response to these traditions.
The outcomes may be considered for:

  • Publication in the Folklore Collage Society printed journal (Kolaj Institute
  • Exhibition at the Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans (show dates: 31 January – 11 April 2026)

Categories

  • Visual Art (Collage)
  • Likely Mixed Media, since collage often involves a variety of materials

Eligibility

  • Open to collage artists specifically.
  • Age requirement: Artists must be over 21 years old.
  • Global eligibility: Artists from anywhere in the world can apply.
  • Encouraged applicants: People of color, Indigenous artists, and queer artists are explicitly encouraged to apply.
  • Must have a “developed sense of practice,” even if emerging, and ideally a connection to a community.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Dedicated residency time: 5 days in New Orleans for in-person work and reflection.
  • Virtual preparatory sessions: Two online sessions before the residency (14 and 21 January 2026) to orient participants.
  • Access to studio: 24-hour access to the Kolaj Institute studio during residency.
  • Collage materials provided: Basic collage supplies (cutting mats, adhesives, substrates, magazines/books) are available.
  • Publication opportunity: The work created may be included in the Folklore Collage Society, Kolaj Institute’s printed journal.
  • Exhibition opportunity: Selected works may be shown at Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans (31 Jan–11 Apr 2026).
  • Creative and theoretical engagement: Participants will be exposed to a working theory of folklore, how folklore functions in communities, and how art can activate it.

Application Fee

The residency cost is USD $750 per artist.

Application Requirements

  1. Contact information.
  2. Artist bio (50–250 words).
  3. Statement of artist practice (50–300 words) — describing their collage practice.
  4. 5–7 images of past artwork (or other samples) to demonstrate their work.
  5. What do you hope to gain from the residency/experience
  6. Questions about your work and needs — the form asks artists to reflect on their support or resource needs.

How to Apply

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Virtual Sessions:
    • 14 January 2026
    • 21 January 2026
  • Residency (in person): 25 January 2026 (4PM) to 30 January 2026 (3PM) in New Orleans.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Early Deadline: 14 December 2025.
    • Final Deadline (if space remains): 28 December 2025.
    • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Exhibition Dates: 31 January – 11 April 2026, at Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans.

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Additional Details

  • Materials: The institute provides basic collage supplies; if you need special materials, you can ship them to the studio in advance.
  • Commitment: Artists must attend all scheduled sessions, participate in discussions, complete readings, and produce work during the residency.
  • Rights & Documentation:
    • Artists grant Kolaj Institute / Kolaj Magazine permission to publish images of their work (photos, scans, video).
    • Artists retain ownership of the work they create.
    • Submission does not guarantee publication or exhibition.
  • Faculty / Mentors: The residency includes interactions with people like Emily Denlinger and Ric Kasini Kadour.
  • Community focus: The residency emphasizes collage as a way to engage and transmit folklore in community contexts, promoting resilience.

Website Link: https://kolajmagazine.com/content/content/calls-for-artists/call-to-artists-carnival-as-folklore-residency-in-new-orleans/

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