2026 Joan Mitchell Center Residency Application
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Program Overview
As a programmatic site of the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans hosts artist residencies, providing individual studio spaces on the Center’s two-acre campus for both local and national artists. Located in the 7th Ward, the residency is a retreat for artists in a city rich with creative energy and cultural histories. The Foundation first began hosting artists as part of the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program in temporary French Quarter studios in 2013 and then opened the Joan Mitchell Center in 2015. Since its inception, the AIR Program has provided dedicated time and space for artistic contemplation and experimentation to 344 artists from across the country, including more than 130 artists local to New Orleans. Fifty of those participated in the New Orleans Studio Program, which offered a hybrid virtual and onsite residency to New Orleans-based artists during the COVID-19 pandemic (from September 2020 to the beginning of February 2022).
From April 7–May 30, 2025, the Center will accept applications from eligible visual artists for residencies at the Joan Mitchell Center in 2026.
Selected artists will receive private studio space at the Center for 6 or 14 weeks in either the Spring or Fall 2026 residency session, or for 6 weeks during the Summer session. Artists-in-Residence also receive $150 stipend per week, communal meals on weekdays (excluding holidays), and opportunities to participate in professional development and community events. Additionally, the Center will book all travel within the United States and provide lodging onsite for program participants (please note, we do not house guests or family members).
Residency dates will be confirmed with selected artists based on their stated session preference and studio availability.
Spring session: February 2–May 8, 2026
Summer session: June 22–July 31, 2026
Fall session: September 14–December 18, 2026
Applicant Eligibility
In order to meet eligibility for the Joan Mitchell Center Artist-in-Residence Program, individuals must be one of the following:
Artists Applying from New Orleans
- Must have lived in New Orleans as your primary residence for the last 5 years (Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parish residents will be considered) OR
- Be a New Orleans native (born in Orleans, Jefferson, or Plaquemines Parish)
Artists Applying from Outside of New Orleans
- Must be a past recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation artist support programs including: Painters & Sculptors Grants, MFA Grants, Emerging Artist Grants, Emergency Grants, Creating a Living Legacy Awards, Early Art Practitioner Council Members, and Joan Mitchell Foundation Art Education Program Artist Teachers. Joan Mitchell Fellows in the fourth or fifth year of their fellowship may apply; therefore, 2021 and 2022 Fellows are eligible to apply for 2026 residencies.
In addition, all applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work with a serious commitment to an artistic practice
- Be at a pivotal point in their career and demonstrate how the residency would be a benefit
- Have never previously been an Artist-in-Residence at the Joan Mitchell Center, unless as an Early Art Practitioner (EAP)
- Be 21+ years of age
- Must not be enrolled as a student in any degree-granting art program during the residency period
- Need a professional workspace to support a studio practice
- Be committed to be present and active for the duration of the residency cycle and participate in the professional development and studio visit consultations
- Complete and submit an application
How to Apply
Artists are asked to provide a headshot, biography, CV/resume, describe their artistic practice, their intention for the residency, why this is a pivotal point in their career to attend a residency, and ten (10) work samples (including work sample descriptions). All of these materials will be submitted via the online platform Submittable.
The Joan Mitchell Center will hold a virtual info session on Wednesday, April 23 at 3pm CT. We will also be hosting onsite, 1-on-1 application support sessions the week of May 12th and May 19th. Please contact program associate Trécha Gay Jheneall at tjheneall@joanmitchellcenter.org if you are interested in signing up for 1-on-1 support sessions. In addition to these application support opportunities, JMC staff will be holding open house campus tours the week of May 5. Further details for these tours and how to sign up will be shared via our newsletter and social media.
Please review the detailed application instructions below before beginning the application.
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 30 at 5pm (CST). We are unable to accept late submissions. Only complete applications will be submitted for jury consideration. If you need clarification or have specific questions that pertain to your application not addressed below, please email program@joanmitchellcenter.org.