The Midway Artist Studio Residency

3 Months of Rent-Free Studio Space for Artists at The Midway

Overview: 

The mission of The Midway Artist Studio Residency (MASR) is to fortify and foster local artists’ practices through opportunities provided by The Midway. Through exhibitions, events, artist talks, publications, and other opportunities, The Midway Artist Studio Residency seeks to support artists with the space for each individual to create. Along with the infrastructure of a major event venue, The Midway offers many platforms for artists to expand their practices.   The program is open to artists of all generations, nationalities, and disciplines. Applicants must be 21 years or older.  As a venue that promotes artistic relevance, The Midway offers a studio space free of rent to each participating artist with programming such as:

Monthly artist-led workshops and events for the community
Works of art
Curated exhibitions in The Midway Gallery
Promotions

The Midway Artist Studio Residency will also exist as a part of The Midway Gallery’s exhibition program, which focuses on engaging the public and revealing the art-making process. 

Who: 2-3 emerging to mid-career artists working across all mediums.  Priority given to artists living in San Francisco.

Length: 3 months including a 4-6 week final exhibition

Participation: MASR participants must make a serious commitment to the program for the entire three month residency. Participants are expected to utilize the studio actively and consistently (artists should be in their studios an average of 20–40 hours per week). In addition, regular attendance and participation in all MASR related public programs is required.

The Midway is seeking autonomous, self-leading artists who work well in a non-traditional environment.  

It is vital to the success of the program that MASR participants take full advantage of the unique resources The Midway is able to provide. For this reason, MASR participants cannot simultaneously participate in another residency.  

Community Building & Professional Development: 

An integral aspect of The Midway Artist Studio Residency is the opportunity to grow both a network of peers, curators, educators, and other arts professionals working in San Francisco.
To support this initiative, each participating artist is required to lead a minimum of one event.  At the forefront of each of these events will be goals of inclusion and community building: all events are open to the public and The Midway will provide materials for guests within reason.  Artists are also required to provide artwork, made while in-residency, for a group show at the end of the residency.

What is provided as part of The Midway Artist Studio Residency:
24/7 access* to your own studio
Work tables and chairs
Natural and florescent lighting
Wi-Fi

*(with the exception of full-venue buyouts, which may occur during residency)  

Please note:
Housing is NOT provided – artists must secure their own accommodation for the duration of their residency
Studios facilities do not offer access to medium- or technique-specific amenities such as a wood shop, print or media lab, or a dance floor – please take this into consideration in preparing your proposal and residency goals.
Artists must provide their own tools and materials.  
Artists must be at least 21 years old.
Artists may not have access to their studio in the case of venue buyouts or other restricted and/or private events.

The Midway can be a very loud space during concerts.  Please keep this in mind when considering the program.  

Publicity: Permission for The Midway to post and share photographs and written promotions of participating artists, ongoing artwork, and studios is required.  

Stipend: No stipend is provided

Application fee: Free

Application Deadline: January 5, 2024 11:59 PDT

Application period closed.