The South End Arts + Business Association (SEABA), in partnership with Unsworth Properties, is pleased to offer an ongoing annual residency program at The Vaults, located in the heart of the South End Arts District in Burlington, Vermont. The program is in its sixth year and allows one artist access to a private art studio to use free of charge for one year to create a new body of work or further their creative practice. 

Deadline: Extended from Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 11:59pm EST:
NOW: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:59pm

Residency Duration: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026

Winner Announced: Art Hop Weekend, September 5-7, 2025

Residency Start Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Residency End Date: Art Hop Weekend, September 11-13, 2026 (move out end of Sept.)

Application Fee: $20 or Free for Current SEABA Members. Coupon code is located in the 'about' section of your member profile when you log on here: SEABA Manage Your Account

Winner must be a current SEABA Member. Membership is $50 and includes one year in the art curation program, access to registration for the 2025 South End Art Hop, invites to artist member mixers and more! If you are interested in joining or renewing your membership visit SEABA Annual Membership here. You may also wait to join after you have received your residency status, though will need to pay the entry fee. Note that Art Hop registration requires current membership and has a deadline of July 31st, at seaba.com.

Located at 28 Howard Street in Burlington, Vermont, this three story newer construction hosts a number of artist studios and creative businesses, along with the offices of SEABA and Unsworth Properties. The building is located in the Five Sisters Neighborhood in the South End Arts District and is a short walk from food, coffee shops, vintage stores, and Lake Champlain.  

Measuring 325 sq ft, the studio is on the first floor, has a locking interior door, and a locking overhead garage door in a loading dock style, facing an alleyway leading to other buildings filled with artist studios. There is a shared common lobby space, water fountains, bathrooms, and utility sink. There is parking nearby, an elevator, and handicap accessibility. Does not include a living space. This art studio is free to use for the duration of the residency. Access is 24/7.

Open to one artist, 18 years or older, living in the U.S. Not to be used by groups or teams. 

Open to an artist working in visual arts. 

Studio to be utilized on a consistent basis, with the goal of being routinely on site throughout the duration of the residency.

Materials used in creation of work should be non-hazardous to you and others. No spray paints or welding. 

Sign a lease with Unsworth Properties to comply with the regulations of the building and common spaces. Obtain renters insurance for your work and studio. 

Sign an agreement with SEABA to be open to the public on a select number of First Friday Art Walks during the year, to welcome visitors to view your work and process. Take part in the South End Art Hop, a three day arts festival, scheduled to take place the weekend after Labor Day in 2026 on September 11-13 for a closing reception and culmination of the work created during the residency.  

Content of work should be appropriate for viewing by all ages or with parental guidance, as applicable.

Create and donate a piece of work to SEABA/Unsworth Properties be left on site in the building as part of a permanent Vaults Residency Collection. 

All personal living, housing, travel, and materials expenses related to the residency are the full responsibility of the artist. 

NOTE: SEABA Members may access a coupon code for free application entry by loging in to seaba.com/manage-your-account and looking under the tab 'coupons'.

To apply, fill out this application form about yourself, your work, what you will use the studio for, and how this residency will be beneficial. 

Application is open to all artists, 18 years or older, living in the United States. Must be a current SEABA Member at the beginning of the residency. 

Applications are reviewed by the current members of the SEABA Board of Directors and a representative of Unsworth Properties. Winner will be notified by email by September 7, 2025. All applicants will be notified about membership opportunities. Any questions on membership or registrations may be sent to outreach@seaba.com. 

Upload a minimum of three examples of your artwork and describe the images. Images may include details of the work, your materials, your process, and/or the work installed in various settings. You may upload more than one image in each section below. Please label the files with your name before uploading when possible.

Good luck, we look forward to working with you!

NOTE: Current SEABA Members may access a coupon code for free entry by loging in to seaba.com/manage-your-account and looking under the tab 'coupons' or 'assets'.