Organizer Information:
Touchstone Center for Crafts is a unique crafts school and residency campus located in the scenic Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. It offers a creative environment for artists and makers to live, work, and connect within a community of peers.
Title & Description:
Applications are open for the 2026 Touchstone Spring Artist-in-Residence program.
This 2-week residency is designed for self-motivated individuals seeking the time, space, and equipment to focus heavily on their studio practice. Because no instruction is provided, qualified candidates must possess a strong working knowledge and understanding of the equipment and tools used within their designated studio.
Category:
Fine Crafts & Mixed Media.
(Residency space is available in ceramics, small-metals, drawing/painting, writing, fibers, and other various mediums).
Eligibility:
- Who: Self-motivated artists, writers, and makers.
- Experience Level: Must have a strong working knowledge of the equipment in their chosen medium (no instruction is provided).
- Requirements: Due to the rural location, bringing a car is strongly recommended.
Program Benefits & Awards:
- Workspace: Access to a shared, prepped studio space within the artist's invited discipline.
- Accommodation: Private dorm lodging is included.
- Facilities: Access to a fully equipped communal kitchen, grill, and dining area. (Note: The Dining Hall is closed during the residency, so residents must provide and prepare their own meals).
Application Fee & Program Costs:
- Application Fee: $5 USD.
- Residency Fee: $700 USD (Includes private lodging and studio access).
- Studio Deposit: An additional $150 USD refundable studio deposit is required (refunded at the end of the residency following studio cleanup).
- Note: All fees must be paid in full 2 weeks prior to arrival. Consumables (oxygen, propane, etc.) and materials (steel, clay, etc.) are the responsibility of the resident and will be charged at cost. Linens can be provided for an additional $50.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must complete the online form and provide:
- A Statement of Intent.
- 5 images of artwork.
- 2 References with contact information.
- A Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
How to Apply?
Submit your materials through the official Touchstone application portal. If you have specific questions about studio equipment, you can email Travis Winters at twinters@touchstonecrafts.org.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Check-In: May 18, 2026 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM).
- Residency Dates: May 18 – June 1, 2026.
- Check-Out: June 1, 2026 (by 11:00 AM).
Location:
Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA (Laurel Highlands).
Contact Information:
Email: twinters@touchstonecrafts.org (Travis Winters)