MAD Artist Studios | Artist Residency | Cycle 43 and Cycle 44
The Artist Studios program at the Museum of Arts and Design is accepting applications for Artist Residencies. Two artists will be awarded Artist Residencies per six-month session:
- August 20, 2025 - February 20, 2026 (Cycle 43) or
- February 25, 2026- August 15, 2026 (Cycle 44)
All interested candidates must complete and submit this online application by Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Please read the information below in full before applying.
MAD Artist Studios Program Overview
Located on the sixth floor of the Museum and open to the public, the Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers. The first of its kind, the program encourages visitors to meet artists-in-residence as they expand their creative practice while working on-site at MAD. Three artists (two Artist Residents and one Artist Fellow) are selected per six-month session (August/early September through February or February through August), for which they receive access to studio space in the Museum and a stipend. Visitors are welcome to visit MAD’s Artist Studios to view works in progress and converse with the artists and designers.
The artists chosen for MAD’s Artist Studios program represent a wide range of creative practices within the fields of craft, art, and design. Established in 2008, the program has served as an important platform for more than 200 artists and designers to advance their careers and is recognized as an innovative model for Museum education.
Artist Residency Benefits
Each Artist Resident receives a minimum $5,200 stipend; access to a studio space in the Museum accessible from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily; a materials and mentorship stipend of $500; additional paid public programming opportunities; reaching new audiences at the museum; continued engagement through the community of over 200 Artist Studios alumni; and access to MAD’s galleries, public programs, and exhibition openings.
Artist Residency Eligibility
At the time of application, Artist Studios applicants:
- Must be at least twenty-one years old.
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident of the US with a valid SSN or EIN.
- Cannot be enrolled in a full-time degree-granting program or its equivalent.
Artist Residency Expectations
Residents commit to at least one full day of public open studio hours per week. These are scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. The residents’ weekly schedule will be established in conjunction with MAD’s Education Department and will remain set throughout the six-month residency in addition to their open studio hours. Residents are encouraged to utilize the studio space for private studio hours. During their weekly open studio hours, all Artist Studios residents welcome visits from K-12 school groups (facilitated in-person and virtually by paid artist educators) and public tour groups (facilitated in-person by volunteer docents).
Application Process
The Artist Studios program offers one full-time MAD Artist Fellowship and two Artist Residencies per six-month session. MAD is accepting applications for the August 20, 2025 - February 20, 2026 (Cycle 43) and the February 25, 2026- August 15, 2026 (Cycle 44). Artists will be selected to participate in one session and will mark which session(s) they are applying for within the application. All candidates interested in applying for the MAD Artist Studios must complete and submit this online application by Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST.
Applying for Multiple Opportunities
Artists interested in applying for both the Artist Residency and the MAD Artist Fellowship should complete one application for the MAD Artist Fellowship and indicate their interest in the Artist Residency within their Fellowship application materials. Candidates applying for multiple Artist Studios opportunities will only be selected for one program. Similarly, candidates interested in multiple sessions will only be selected for one session.
Selection Process
Selection is conducted by a committee of Museum staff and outside professionals in the fields of art, craft, and design. Successful candidates possess a solid body of work that reveals a mastery of techniques and processes within a developed conceptual framework. The Artist Studios are a vital component of the visitor experience at MAD, and successful applicants will display a readiness to engage with— and benefit from— the open studios format.
The Selection Committee strongly suggests visiting the Artist Studios before applying to fully understand the studio space and public-facing nature of the program. During the first round of review, each application is reviewed by three members of the Selection Committee who consider how well the applicant aligns with the following selection criteria:
Applicants must have a mature body of work that:
- Reveals a deep engagement with processes and materials
- Demonstrates strong conceptual framework
- Examines critical issues pertinent to the transdisciplinary fields of contemporary Applicants must have a mature body of work that should: craft, design, art, and technology
Applicants must:
- Display a readiness to engage with and benefit from dialogue with visitors, MAD’s teen interns, school groups, etc., unique to the open studios format at the Museum of Arts and Design
- Demonstrate awareness of the limitations and advantages of the Artist Studios space
The highest-rated applications are then reviewed by the Selection Committee. Selected applicants are then invited to interview with the Deputy Director of Education and Manager of Artist Residencies, who invite finalists to participate. The candidates' references are called to speak to the applicants' interpersonal and communication skills. Since Artist Studios residents interact with K-12 students, they must authorize a background check.
Notification Process
Finalists will be invited to meet for a studio visit and interview with members of the Education Department in March 2025. Final determinations and offers will be made in April 2025.
Studio Facilities and Restrictions
The studios are located on the 6th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design, which is open to the public. Two of the studios measure roughly 200 square feet and each studio is equipped with a large worktable, a sink, storage, and WiFi access. The third studio is roughly 400 square feet and has tables, storage, and WiFi access, but no sink. Residents and Fellows share access to a kiln and a variety of smaller tools. Please note the following prohibited tools and supplies:
- No open flames are permitted
- Hot work needs to be approved by the Director of Facilities
- No large saws or tools that are unsafe for the public
- No toxic materials such as turpentine, some resins, lead-based paints, etc.
Additional Information
Visit our website for more information. Please email education@madmuseum.org with additional questions not already answered in this application. MAD provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Artist Studios alumni apply for the residency again?
No, alumni are not eligible to reapply for either program at this time.
I’ve applied before but haven’t gotten in. Can I apply again?
Yes!
Is there an application fee?
No.
What tools and equipment will I have access to? Can I bring my own?
Each smaller studio has a large worktable, sink, and storage and the larger studio has worktables and storage. Residents and Fellows share a kiln and a variety of smaller tools. Artists also have space to store their own tools.
Do you have a WiFi connection?
Yes.
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?
Artists must be citizens or legal residents of the U.S. with a valid SSN or EIN. The museum does not provide visas. Applicants must have their legal paperwork in order by the time they are interviewed, no exceptions.
Can collective or collaborative groups apply?
Collectives are eligible for the Artist Residencies but not for the Artist Fellowship. All members of the collaborative must meet all eligibility requirements and be present for an interview.
How will my artwork be presented?
Residents and Fellows have one to three examples of their work displayed on the 6th floor at all times. This work is locked behind glass in a vitrine. Residents are featured on the Museum website and social media channels.
Does the museum pay for travel costs or provide housing stipends?
No.
If I’m selected, will I have to pay taxes on my stipend?
Yes, Artist Studios residents are one-time independent contractors and are responsible for any local, state, or federal taxes.
For any questions or concerns not addressed in the “FAQ” section, please email education@madmuseum.org
MAD Artist Studios | MAD Artist Fellow | Cycle 43 and Cycle 44
The Artist Studios program at the Museum of Arts and Design is accepting applications for the Artist Fellow. One artist will be awarded the MAD Artist Fellowship per six-month session:
- August 20, 2025 - February 20, 2026 (Cycle 43) or
- February 25, 2026- August 15, 2026 (Cycle 44)
All interested candidates must complete and submit this online application by Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Please read the information below in full before applying.
MAD Artist Studios Program Overview Located on the sixth floor of the Museum and open to the public, the Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers. The first of its kind, the program encourages visitors to meet artists-in-residence as they expand their creative practice while working on-site at MAD. Three artists (two Artist Residents and one Artist Fellow) are selected per six-month session (August/early September through February or February through August), for which they receive access to studio space in the Museum and a stipend. Visitors are welcome to visit MAD’s Artist Studios to view works in progress and converse with the artists and designers.
The artists chosen for MAD’s Artist Studios program represent a wide range of creative practices within the fields of craft, art, and design. Established in 2008, the program has served as an important platform for more than 200 artists and designers to advance their careers and is recognized as an innovative model for Museum education.
The MAD Artist Fellowship was introduced in 2016 to support emerging NYC-based artists from historically underrepresented communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to highly regarded and proceeded to exhibit work at MAD and other major institutions, including The Met, Queens Museum, Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and the Studio Museum, among others.
Fellowship Benefits
MAD Artist Fellows benefit from a stipend of $15,000; access to a dedicated studio space in the Museum accessible from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily; a materials and mentorship stipend of $1,000; professional development and studio visits with museum staff; additional paid public programming opportunities; interaction with Museum visitors weekly, reaching new audiences; continued engagement through the community of over 200 Artist Studios alumni; and access to MAD’s galleries, public programs, and exhibition openings.
Fellowship Eligibility
The MAD Artist Fellowship is designed to support emerging artists and designers from historically underrepresented communities. Candidates for the MAD Artist Fellowship must:
- Be an emerging artist with an active practice (see the following section for details). Established artists are eligible for the Artist Studios Residencies but not for the Artist Fellowship.
- Identify as an artist from a historically underrepresented community as determined by (for example) race/ethnicity, ability, and gender.
- Be a resident of the New York metro area.
At the time of application, Artist Studios applicants:
- Must be at least twenty-one years old.
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident of the US with a valid SSN or EIN.
- Cannot be enrolled in a full-time degree-granting program or its equivalent.
"Emerging" Artists and Designers
Emerging artists who can demonstrate a commitment to their practice are eligible to apply for the MAD Artist Fellowship. For the Fellowship opportunity, the Museum defines an “emerging” artist or designer as someone who:
- Has created a body of work that shows range during an active period of at least 2 years.
- Has not yet received a significant prize, grant, or award above $15,000.
- Does not have a considerable amount of work that has been acquired by museums and/or curated into an extensive number of solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums.
- Is not a current full-time student or full-time tenured faculty. There is no formal education requirement for the Artist Studios program, but applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time of application.
Candidates for the MAD Artist Fellowship must meet the criteria above. However, there are no eligibility requirements or restrictions for the Artist Residencies. Contact education@madmuseum.org with additional questions regarding eligibility.
Fellowship Expectations
Fellows must commit to a weekly schedule of 21 public open studio hours each week, during which the museum public can visit to view works-in-progress and ask questions. The Fellow’s weekly schedule will remain set throughout the six-month residency and must occur for two full weekdays and one full weekend day from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. In addition to their 21 public open studio hours, Fellows are encouraged to utilize the studio space for private studio hours throughout the week. During their weekly open studio hours, all Artist Studios residents welcome occasional visits from K-12 school groups (facilitated in-person and virtually by paid artist educators) and public tour groups (facilitated in person by volunteer docents).
Application Process
The Artist Studios program offers one full-time MAD Artist Fellowship and two Artist Residencies per six-month session. MAD is accepting applications for the August 20, 2025 - February 20, 2026 (Cycle 43) and the February 25, 2026- August 15, 2026 (Cycle 44). Artists will be selected to participate in one session and will mark which session(s) they are applying for within the application. All candidates interested in applying for the MAD Artist Studios must complete and submit this online application by Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST.
Applying for Multiple Opportunities
Artists interested in applying for both the Artist Residency and the MAD Artist Fellowship should complete one application for the MAD Artist Fellowship and indicate their interest in the Artist Residency within their Fellowship application materials. Candidates applying for multiple Artist Studios opportunities will only be selected for one program. Similarly, candidates interested in multiple sessions will only be selected for one session.
Selection Process
Selection is conducted by a committee of Museum staff and outside professionals in the fields of art, craft, and design. Successful candidates possess a solid body of work that reveals a mastery of techniques and processes within a developed conceptual framework. The Artist Studios are a vital component of the visitor experience at MAD, and successful applicants will display a readiness to engage with— and benefit from—the open studios format.
The Selection Committee strongly suggests visiting the Artist Studios before applying to fully understand the studio space and public-facing nature of the program. During the first round of review, each application is reviewed by three members of the Selection Committee who consider how well the applicant aligns with the following selection criteria:
Applicants must have a mature body of work that:
- Reveals a deep engagement with processes and materials
- Demonstrates strong conceptual framework
- Examines critical issues pertinent to the transdisciplinary fields of contemporary craft, design, art, and technology
Applicants should:
- Address a clear direction or question for pursuit during their residency at MAD
- Display a readiness to engage with and benefit from dialogue with visitors, MAD’s teen interns, school groups etc., unique to the open studios format at the Museum of Arts and Design
- Demonstrate an awareness of the limitations and advantages of the Artist Studios space
The highest-rated applications are then reviewed by the Selection Committee. Selected applicants are then invited to interview with the Deputy Director of Education and Manager of Artist Residencies, who invite finalists to participate. The candidates' references are called to speak to the applicants' interpersonal and communication skills. Since Artist Studios residents interact with K-12 students, they must authorize a background check.
Notification Process
Finalists will be invited to meet for a studio visit and interview with members of the Education Department in April 2025. Final determinations and offers will be made in May 2025.
Studio Facilities and Restrictions
The studios are located on the 6th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design, which is open to the public. Two of the studios measure roughly 200 square feet and each studio is equipped with a large worktable, a sink, storage, and WiFi access. The third studio is roughly 400 square feet and has tables, storage, and WiFi access, but no sink. Residents and Fellows share access to a kiln and a variety of smaller tools. Please note the following prohibited tools and supplies:
- No open flames are permitted
- Hot work needs to be approved by the Director of Facilities
- No large saws or tools that are unsafe for the public
- No toxic materials such as turpentine, some resins, lead-based paints, etc.
Additional Information
Visit our website for more information. Please email education@madmuseum.org with additional questions not already answered in this application. MAD provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Artist Studios alumni apply for the residency again?
No, alumni are not eligible to reapply for either program at this time.
I’ve applied before but haven’t gotten in. Can I apply again?
Yes!
Is there an application fee?
No.
What tools and equipment will I have access to? Can I bring my own?
Each smaller studio has a large worktable, sink, and storage and the larger studio has worktables and storage. Residents and Fellows share a kiln and a variety of smaller tools. Artists also have space to store their own tools.
Do you have a WiFi connection?
Yes.
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?
Artists must be citizens or legal residents of the U.S. with a valid SSN or EIN. The museum does not provide visas. Applicants must have their legal paperwork in order by the time they are interviewed, no exceptions.
Can collective or collaborative groups apply?
Collectives are eligible for the Artist Residencies but not for the Artist Fellowship. All members of the collaborative must meet all eligibility requirements and be present for an interview.
How will my artwork be presented?
Residents and Fellows have one to three examples of their work displayed on the 6th floor at all times. This work is locked behind glass in a vitrine. Residents are featured on the Museum website and social media channels.
Does the museum pay for travel costs or provide housing stipends?
No.
If I’m selected, will I have to pay taxes on my stipend?
Yes, Artist Studios residents are one-time independent contractors and are responsible for any local, state, or federal taxes.
For any questions or concerns not addressed in the “FAQ” section, please email education@madmuseum.org
The Burke Prize is a biannual contemporary art prize for a new generation of artists working in a world of expanded media with a foundation in glass, fiber, clay, metal, or wood. Selected by a diverse and distinguished jury of curators, artists, and scholars through an open-call application process, the Burke Prize winner receives an unrestricted award of $50,000.
One Burke Prize artist will also be selected for the biannual Burke Residency at The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass. The Burke Residency artist will receive a one-month to five-week residency with all the benefits and opportunities awarded to artists selected for The Studio's Artist-in-Residence program.
Inspired by the disciplines that shaped the American studio craft movement, the Burke Prize is named for Marian and Russell Burke, two longtime supporters of MAD and passionate collectors of craft. Established in 2018, the Burke Prize honors exceptional artists, 45 or under, working in the United States whose highly accomplished work is conceptually rigorous, relevant, and pushes the boundaries of materials and creative processes.
Please read all application instructions carefully and make sure to fill out all information before submitting. Applications cannot be edited once submitted.
For collectives who wish to apply, you must choose one person to be the contact person, but all members of the collective must meet the requirements of the application. See specific instructions for materials submission within the application itself. An extensive collaborative practice must be demonstrated in order to be considered for the prize.
Please refer to the FAQ page on the website.
Artists interested in applying for both the Artist Studios and the Burke Prize should complete separate applications: one for the Artist Studios and one for the Burke Prize. Information about the Artist Studios can be found here. The Artist Studios application is due April 8, 2025, and the Burke Prize application is due April 28, 2025.