ARTIST RESIDENCY
THE BLANC artist residency hosts emerging and mid-career visual artists engaged in critical investigations of contemporary issues. The residency draws on the unique cultural landscape of Midtown Manhattan—its museums, galleries, libraries, and presenting organizations—as a living resource where artists can develop new work. Individual artists are granted a 2-3 month, non-live-in studio to create a proposed project, with the expectation that the resulting work will be shown publicly in the future.
We're now accepting applications for the 2027-2028 residency cycle.
Residency Dates:
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May 1—June 30, 2027
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August 1—October 31, 2027
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November 1, 2027—January 31, 2028
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February 1, 2028—April 30, 2028
Timeline:
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Applications open: November 1, 2026
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Applications close: January 20, 2027
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Finalists announced: February 28, 2027
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Residency begins: May 1, 2027
Location:
15 E 40th St, New York, NY 10016
Please note: housing is not provided.
Eligibility:
The program welcomes artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging to mid-career, working across all disciplines, from around the world.
We’re looking for artists who:
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Have a developing or established body of work and a clear artistic practice
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Are prepared to be present in New York City for the full 2-3 month residency period
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Will make active use of the studio space, materials stipend, and resources available through the program
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Must be 18+ years of age and must not be currently enrolled in an institutional program of study, including instructional museum programs, full or part-time
The Residency Offers:
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A fully subsidized studio space
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A $500 materials stipend
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Access to world-class archives to support research and practice
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The opportunity to propose presentation, artist talks, workshops, or panels
Artists Afroditi Psarra and Audrey Briot working together during their residency at THE BLANC.
Artists Neil Leonard discussing an installation with a fellow artist at THE BLANC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can collectives apply?
Individual artists only. Collectives are not eligible to apply.
I live outside the U.S. Do I need a visa, and can THE BLANC help?
International applicants are responsible for securing the appropriate visa to enter the United States. If you are selected, THE BLANC can provide an invitation letter to support your visa application. Visa approval is not guaranteed, and selection is contingent on obtaining the necessary visa before your session begins.
Is housing provided?
No. Housing is not provided, and the studio is non-live-in. New York residents are encouraged to apply. Applicants based outside New York City must submit a housing plan with their application.
Can I edit my application after submitting? Is the fee refundable?
Applications cannot be edited once submitted, so please review everything carefully before you submit. The $10 application fee is collected by SlideRoom at submission and is non-refundable.
How will I be notified?
Finalists will be announced on February 28, 2027 via email and social media.
What does the studio offer, and what kind of work is it suited for?
Artists have access to a private, secure studio, suited for clean, dry, and low-impact work. The studio includes:
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High-speed Wi-Fi
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Work table and chairs
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Access to a shared kitchenette and common area
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Approx. 2.9m (9.5 ft) ceiling and natural light
Electricity, water, and heat are included free of charge. To comply with the building’s safety regulations, hazardous, fume-producing, or dust-generating materials and processes (e.g., aerosols, plaster, cutting or sanding foam) are not permitted. If your project has specific needs, describe them in the Studio Requirements field of your application, and we'll confirm what the space can support. We don't provide a production budget beyond the $500 stipend.
Is the studio accessible?
Yes, the studio is accessible with elevator access.
Do I have to be there every day, and can I travel?
No daily attendance is required. Residents are expected to work in the studio at least 75% of their session. We don't monitor attendance, but we expect residents to be an active presence in the studio. That leaves room for short trips.
Can THE BLANC document and promote my work?
THE BLANC may photograph and document residents' work and Open Studio events for archival and promotional use, with credit to the artist. Artists retain ownership of their work.
Institutions
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Research-Driven Academic Content
The program prioritizes projects that originate in clearly articulated academic inquiry and demonstrate methodological rigor. Supported formats include, but are not limited to:
Thesis and Capstone Exhibitions
Cohesive bodies of work grounded in a defined research question, such as MFA thesis exhibitions exploring specific topics or material experimentation through installation, performance, and technical prototyping.
Practice-Based Research Installations
Studio- and lab-based outcomes presented as public tests of method—such as data sonification, soft robotics, or machine listening—where audience interaction may generate qualitative insights relevant to the research process.
Interdisciplinary Labs-in-Exhibition
Collaborative projects across disciplines (e.g., art, engineering, critical theory, data science) presented as active working environments, including open experiments, seminars, and iterative displays that make research methodologies legible to a public audience.
A glimpse into the studio spaces at THE BLANC, where artists develop their practices, experiment, and create.
Curatorial Framework and Standards
THE BLANC’s curatorial process is designed to safeguard both academic integrity and public accountability.
Selection criteria include:
• Clarity of research objectives, questions, and methodologies
• Feasibility within spatial, technical, and operational constraints
• Public engagement strategy, including accessibility and interpretability
• Ethical considerations related to materials, data, subjects, and potential risk
• Alignment with THE BLANC’s programmatic and curatorial context
The Institutional Support Program is intentionally designed for depth rather than volume, prioritizing sustained, multi-year partnerships with institutions committed to research excellence, experimentation, and meaningful public engagement.
For partnership inquiries and additional information, please contact us at info@theblanc.art.
Featured Projects
Neil Leonard