Organizer Information
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is a New York City museum dedicated to contemporary and historical art, craft, and design. Its Artist Studios program, established in 2008, is a distinctive museum-based residency that places artists and designers directly within a public museum environment. The program has supported more than 200 artists and designers, providing opportunities for professional development while allowing visitors to observe creative processes and interact directly with resident artists. MAD alumni have subsequently exhibited at institutions including the Queens Museum, Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and Studio Museum.
Title & Description
MAD Artist Studios | Artist Residency | Cycle 46 and 47
MAD Artist Studios — Cycle 46 & Cycle 47 is a six-month residency for contemporary artists and designers working across craft, design, and the visual arts. Residents work from dedicated studios on the sixth floor of MAD while engaging with museum visitors through scheduled public open-studio hours.
Applicants may apply for Cycle 46 (February 15–August 15, 2027) or Cycle 47 (August 16, 2027–February 13, 2028) and indicate their preferred two- or three-day public-facing schedule. The program emphasizes material experimentation, technical skill, conceptual development, and meaningful public engagement.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Craft
- Design
- Applied Arts
- Textile/Fiber Art
- Ceramics
- Wood
- Glass
- Metal
- Stone
- Experimental and Technology-based Practices
MAD particularly welcomes practices engaging traditional craft materials and new technologies.
Eligibility
The opportunity is nationally restricted to artists living in the New York City metropolitan area. Applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Be an artist or designer with an active studio practice in the applied arts.
- Live in the New York City metro area and be able to commute regularly to MAD.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident with a valid SSN or EIN.
International applicants without U.S. citizenship/legal residency are not eligible, and MAD does not provide visa sponsorship. Collectives may apply provided all members satisfy the eligibility requirements. Previous MAD Artist Studios alumni cannot reapply.
Program Benefits & Awards
Residents receive a stipend of $15,000 for three public-facing days per week or $10,000 for two days per week. Benefits also include:
- Dedicated studio space at MAD
- Materials stipend
- Mentorship and professional development
- Studio visits with museum staff
- Additional paid public-programming opportunities
- Access to MAD galleries, programs, and exhibition openings
- Opportunities to engage directly with museum visitors, school groups, and teen interns
- Inclusion in a professional network of more than 200 Artist Studios alumni
- Presentation of work in sixth-floor vitrines and promotion through MAD’s website and social media
The residency does not include housing, travel reimbursement, or an exhibition opportunity in MAD’s galleries.
Application Fee
The application fee is $5 per application. Applicants experiencing financial hardship may request a fee waiver by contacting MAD’s Education Department before submitting their application.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 September 2026
- Initial Notifications: October 2026
- Finalist Studio Visits & Interviews: November 2026
- Final Decisions and Offers: December 2026
- Cycle 46: February 15–August 15, 2027
- Cycle 47: August 16, 2027–February 13, 2028
Location
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), 2 Columbus Circle, New York City, United States
Additional Details
Residents commit to 14 or 21 public open-studio hours per week, generally Wednesday through Saturday, according to an agreed schedule. The residency is highly public-facing: artists are expected to welcome museum visitors and participate in encounters with K–12 school groups and public tours.
Studio facilities include worktables, storage, sinks, Wi-Fi, a shared kiln, pottery wheel, floor loom, and other tools. Open flames and large or unsafe power tools are prohibited, while hot work requires prior approval. Toxic materials including certain resins, turpentine, lusters, and lead-based paints are prohibited. Selected artists must also complete a background check because of regular interaction with school groups. Residents are independent contractors and are responsible for applicable taxes on their stipend.