Open Call for residencies July – December 2026 is live from September 1 – November 1, 2025. Apply now.

Calls for applications are made four times a year and will open two months prior to the deadline. There are several different ways to apply, learn more about each of them and choose the option that best fits your needs.

Most applicants apply through the general application, which is typically for residencies 6–9 months out from the award date. In the regular application, candidates can opt to be considered for financial aid or one of the fully funded fellowships. Because the regular application includes financial aid, it is the most competitive option. Artists requesting financial aid typically pay between $0 – $450/week depending on their needs.
La aplicación general también está disponible en español.

Deadlines for General Applications are May 1 and November 1 each year. The application will open two months prior to the deadline. (See table below for details.)

Due to the volume of submissions close to the deadline, please consider submitting your application early to take into account any technical difficulties that may happen. We do not extend the deadline for late submissions.

The Studios at MASS MoCA operates year-round, hosting up to 10 artists at a time for 2- or 4-week residencies.

The “Early Application” is for artists who could benefit from additional lead time (announcements made 9 to 15 months ahead of residency dates) to plan their stay and to apply for outside funding from sources such as their university or international or regional arts councils. Artists applying with the Early Application will NOT be considered for MASS MoCA’s financial aid budget OR fellowships, applicants should only use this particular application if you are planning to fully fund your stay through outside grants or personal funds at the already subsidized rate of $650 per week.

Deadlines for Early Applications are February 1 and August 1.

Applications will open two months prior to the deadline. (See table below for details.)

If you’re a Studios at MASS MoCA alum, we’re thrilled that you’d like to come back! Twice per year, we have an Alumni application that puts you in a separate pool from the extremely large General Application pools so you’re only competing against fellow alumni. While it’s not as competitive as the General Application pools, we only reserve a few alumni spots each season and acceptance is not guaranteed. We prioritize alumni who have not previously had an Alumni Residency at MASS MoCA, especially alumni who have reached another moment in their career when a residency in the Studios could be particularly beneficial. We ask alums to wait two years after your first residency before applying for the Alumni Residency opportunity. At this time, alumni are not eligible for residency fellowships and instead pay a standard alumni rate of $400/wk for residencies of 4 weeks, or $450/wk for a 2-week residency. (Please note: students who have attended a workshop-in-residence are not considered eligible alumni for this opportunity.)

Deadlines for Alumni Applications are February 1 and August 1. Applications will open two months prior to the deadline. (See table below for details.)

Artists are invited to apply through the Studios at MASS MoCA’s submittable page. See table below for current application deadlines. The application is currently free to apply. You can join our mailing list to be kept up-to-date when the next application round opens.

We welcome applications from artists at all career stages, income levels, and geographic locations. We primarily seek applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.) and writers in all literary disciplines. We discourage applications from dancers, musicians, and other performers because the studios are only well suited for artists who work quietly (nothing is sound-proofed) and who don’t require space for rehearsal / movement arts. Groups/collectives may apply to work on joint projects in the visual and literary arts. The studios have light-duty ventilation, so an art practice generating strong fumes cannot be accommodated.

The curatorial jury is not announced in advance, but you can peruse the Studios’ jury from the previous year on the Application Review Panel page. Due to the volume of applications we receive each season, we are not able to give feedback to individual applicants either before or after the selection process.

An artist must be at least 18 in order to apply; otherwise age is not a consideration in selection.
See a full list of Studios at MASS MoCA Alumni Here

The Studios at MASS MoCA will offer multiple full fellowships that do not have geographic or demographic limitations. This means anyone who wishes to can apply for one of these fellowships, regardless of discipline or location. The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence. To apply, simply select the appropriate box on the fellowships question of the general Studios residency application. There is no separate application for this opportunity. Be sure to also indicate whether you would like to be considered for a regular, partially subsidized residency at the Studios at MASS MoCA if you are not awarded one of these special fellowship residencies. All applicants must first be accepted through the regular jurying process to receive this fellowship.

Español y portugués abajo

Espanhol e português abaixo

The Iris Residency, in partnership with the Berkshire Immigrant Center, will award 2 artists based in Western or Central Massachusetts (counties: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester) who are foreign-born or identify as first or second generation American. Awarded artists receive the usual residency benefits, a $250 per week general stipend, and the opportunity to access all of the resources of The Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC), including immigration legal services and citizenship test preparation classes if needed. 

We welcome applications from artists in all career stages, income levels, and disciplines whose practice allows them to work quietly in the studio. In the application, artists will have a choice to select a two-week or four-week fellowship from a year’s worth of residency sessions (July 2026 – June 2027). This opportunity has a separate application, which can be found here. 

La Residencia Iris, en colaboración con el Centro de Inmigrantes de Berkshire, premiará a 2 artistas residentes en el oeste o centro de Massachusetts (condados de Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden y Worcester) que hayan nacido en el extranjero o se identifiquen como estadounidenses de primera o segunda generación. Los artistas premiados recibirán los beneficios habituales de una residencia, un estipendio general de 250 dólares semanales y la oportunidad de acceder a todos los recursos del Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC), incluidos servicios legales de inmigración y clases de preparación para el examen de ciudadanía, si fuera necesario.

Se aceptan inscripciones de artistas en todas las etapas de su carrera, niveles de ingresos y disciplinas cuya práctica les permita trabajar en silencio en el estudio. En la solicitud, los artistas tendrán la opción de seleccionar una beca de dos o cuatro semanas entre las sesiones del año (julio de 2026 – junio de 2027). Esta oportunidad tiene una solicitud aparte, que puede encontrarse aquí.

A Iris Residency, em colaboração com o Berkshire Immigrant Center, premiará dois artistas residentes na região oeste ou central de Massachusetts (condados de Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden e Worcester) que sejam estrangeiros ou se identifiquem como americanos de primeira ou segunda geração. Os artistas premiados receberão os benefícios usuais de uma residência, um estipêndio geral de US$ 250 por semana e a oportunidade de acessar todos os recursos do Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC), incluindo serviços jurídicos de imigração e aulas de preparação para o teste de cidadania, se necessário.

São aceitas inscrições de artistas em todos os estágios da carreira, níveis de renda e disciplinas cuja prática lhes permita trabalhar tranquilamente no estúdio. Na inscrição, os artistas terão a opção de selecionar uma bolsa de duas ou quatro semanas entre as sessões do ano (julho de 2026 a junho de 2027). Essa oportunidade tem uma inscrição separada, que pode ser encontrada aqui.

Meet our 2025 Iris Residency Awardees / ​​Conozca a los ganadores de la residencia Iris 2025 /Conheça nossos ganhadores do Prêmio Iris Residency 2025.

This award is for parent-artists working in any discipline to receive a fully funded 17-day residency and they will be invited to bring their family. Three families will be awarded and will be in residence during the same session. Each awarded artist (or artist-couple) will receive a private apartment (3 or 4 bedrooms), and the use of up to two studios on the MASS MoCA campus (24/7 access to studio). Artists will also receive  reserved slots in “Camp MASS MoCA” to provide care and educational entertainment for the artists’ camp-aged children from 9am – 3pm on weekdays, so we will specifically seek artist-parents with one or more children currently in grades 2-9 so they can take advantage of the summer art camp opportunity. The family residency will only be available for the dates August 7 – August 24, 2026. Additionally, the awarded artist will receive a $600 general stipend. We prefer if selected families can attend for the full 17 days, but if you need to leave somewhat early for the launch of the new school year, we understand.

There is no separate application for this opportunity. Be sure to also indicate whether you would like to be considered for a regular, partially subsidized residency at the Studios at MASS MoCA if you are not awarded one of these special fellowship residencies. All applicants must first be accepted through the regular jurying process to receive this fellowship. Please be aware that other than the August Family Fellowship, we cannot accommodate partners or children during a MASS MoCA residency due to housing/space limitations.

Meet our 2025 Family Fellowship Awardees.

In partnership with National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (known as YoungArts), the Studios will offer up to two fellowships for qualifying applicants. The Fellowship is open to previous YoungArts award winners ages 18 and over, and the opportunity is specifically for visual artists, writers, and other artists who work quietly (studios are not sound-proofed) and who don’t require space for rehearsal/movement arts.

The fellowship funds all residencies for up to four weeks in residence.

ART+EVERYWHERE FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Art+Everywhere, the Studios will offer one fellowship for qualifying applicants. The Fellowship is open to members from the Art+Everywhere community which include degree-holding graduates from the MFA programs of the Art Institute of Boston, Lesley University Art+Design, and Clark University
The fellowship funds all residency fees for one 2-week residency.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY MFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Boston University, the Studios will be offering one fellowship for a qualifying applicant. Applicants must be a second year M.F.A painting student graduating from BU in May 2026. The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

BROOKLYN COLLEGE

In partnership with the Brooklyn College Department of Art, the Studios will be offering one fellowship for a qualifying student. Applicants must be either currently earning their M.F.A. in any visual arts discipline in Brooklyn College’s Department of Art, or they must have graduated with their M.F.A. from Brooklyn College Department of Art in 2022 or after. Priority will be given to applicants within one year of graduation. The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

BROWN UNIVERSITY

In partnership with Brown University, the Studios will be offering one or more fellowships for qualifying applicants. Applicants must be Brown University students or recent alumni with a graduation year of 2023 – 2027. All terminal degrees in any subject area are eligible applicants as long as they are in the graduating classes listed above.The fellowship funds all residency fees for two or four weeks in residence.

CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK CUNY

In partnership with the Art Department at The City College of New York, CUNY, this fellowship shall be for one qualifying City College student. Applicants must have graduated/will graduate from one of The City College of New York Art Department’s graduate degree programs in 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026. The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence with an additional stipend of $1000 (to be provided by the College directly to the selected applicant).

MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN MFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with the Massachusetts College of Art & Design, the Studios will be offering two fellowships for qualifying applicants. Applicants must have a graduation date from any of MassArt’s graduate degree programs sometime between 2023–2026. The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

MAINE COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN MFA + BFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Maine College of Art and Design, the Studios will be offering two 2-week fellowships:
MFA FELLOWSHIP: Applicants must have previously attended or are currently attending MECAD’s MFA program (low or full residency). There are no restrictions regarding year of graduation.
BFA FELLOWSHIP: Applicants must have previously attended or are currently attending MECAD’s BFA program. There are no restrictions regarding year of graduation.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to two weeks in residence.

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART MFA OR MA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Maryland Institute College of Art, the Studios will offer two fellowships for qualifying applicants. Applicants must be earning their MFA or MA from MICA with a graduation year of Spring 2025 – 2027.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

SCHOOL OF ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO MFA OR MA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with School of Art Institute of Chicago, the Studios will offer three fellowships for a qualifying applicant. Applicants must be earning their MFA or MA at SAIC in any discipline, with a graduation year of 2026.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON MFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with University of Oregon, the Studios will offer one fellowship for a qualifying applicant. Applicants must have a graduation date of 2024 – 2028 in any of U of O’s MFA Art Programs.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA BFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with University of Virginia, the Studios will offer one fellowship for a qualifying applicant. Applicants are an undergraduate student/alum artist with a graduation year of 2023 – 2025. UVA faculty will nominate up to 5 current students or recent alumni of the Department of Art to apply for this opportunity.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY MFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University, the Studios will offer one fellowship for a qualifying applicant. Applicants eligible for support must have a graduation date of 2024 – 2026 from VCU’s MFA in Craft / Material studies, Graphic Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, or Sculpture + Extended Media.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

YALE UNIVERSITY MFA FELLOWSHIP

In partnership with Yale University, the Studios will offer one fellowship for a qualifying applicant. Applicants must have a graduation date of 2026 – 2028 from any of Yale’s MFA Departments.
The fellowship funds all residency fees for up to four weeks in residence.

If you have any questions regarding the application or selection process, please email: studios@massmoca.org.