The Kent Cultural Alliance (KCA) is excited to announce its Spring 2026 SFW Resident Artist Program session, inviting artists to apply for a six-week residency session in Chestertown, Maryland. A total of four (4) artists will be selected through an application review conducted by KCA staff, board members, artists, and community partners. Please note, there will be a second Open Call for the Fall 2026 session.
About the Residency
Launched in 2024, the SFW Resident Artist Program provides a live-in, work-in experience at the historic Mansfield/Eliasson House, now known as the Vincent & Leslie Prince Raimond Cultural Center.
The cornerstone of this residency is Community Engagement. Artists will work with local nonprofit organizations and businesses under a common theme assigned to each residency session. The theme determines the community partners for each session and sets the parameters for the work. Artists will work closely with local organizations, learning about their missions and challenges, and will create work that amplifies their stories to engage broader audiences. Each artist will also lead a workshop at one of the five county public schools and participate in artist talks and open studio events throughout the residency.
The Kent Cultural Alliance has served the people of Kent County, Maryland as the designated county arts council since 1981. KCA operates on funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, The SFW Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, The MidShore Community Foundation, The Hedgelawn Foundation, MidAtlantic Arts, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and contributions from individuals near and far.
Residency Details
- Spring 2026: March 15 - April 25 on the theme of HISTORY in partnership with Kent County Historical Society, Museums of Kent County, and the Chesapeake Heartland Project.
- Duration: The session is six weeks long, accommodating up to four artists. (Note: artists are expected to live on-site at the Raimond Center during the session.)
- Facilities: The Raimond Center offers private en-suite bedrooms, common living area, a kitchen, dining space, and small but private, and ventilated, art studios (approx. 9x9).
- Exhibition: Artists' work will be exhibited in a 1,000 sq. ft. gallery for six weeks, following an opening reception held on the final Friday of each session. KCA will arrange the return of artwork after the exhibit (within the continental US). While artists may sell their work, KCA does not act as a broker nor does KCA take commissions on sales.
- Engagement: Artists will engage directly with the local community, creating projects that foster civic and social engagement.
- In School Workshops: each artist will provide one or two workshops in partnership with the art teachers at Kent County Public Schools (High School and Middle School)
Stipend & Support
- Each selected artist will receive a $7,500 stipend for the six-week session.
- Travel reimbursement up to $1,000 is provided
- Studio and gallery expense reimbursement up to $1,500 is provided
Who Can Apply
- Eligibility: Post-degree career artists from across the U.S. and abroad are welcome to apply.
- Accessibility: The Raimond Center is a 225-year-old building which was completely renovated and updated in 2023 and is fully accessible, with accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including an ADA-compliant bedroom, a lift, ramp, and more.
- Children, Families, Pets: The residency cannot currently accommodate children, families, or pets at this time (some special exceptions may be considered, case by case.)
Location and History
The Kent Cultural Alliance operates on the unceded lands of the Tochwogh and Ozinie people in what is now called Kent County, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The town offers a vibrant cultural scene with cafes, galleries, shops, restaurants, a theater, and a year-round Saturday morning farmers market, all within walking distance of the residency. Major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia are within 90 miles, and the nearest airports are Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Philadelphia International (PHL).
The Raimond Center has recently been selected by the National Park Service as an “escape site” on the National Parks Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. It is prominently featured in the autobiography “Life of Isaac Mason as a Slave”, published in 1893. Mr. Mason was enslaved in this house by the Mansfield Family, from 1832 to 1846, and is memorialized in the Center’s lobby with a portrait by 2018 Resident Artist, Jason Patterson.
Deadline to Apply: Friday November 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST.
There is no fee to apply. While KCA welcomes feedback on the residency experience to help improve future programs, a commitment to community engagement is mandatory.
For additional information, John Schratwieser, Director of the Kent Cultural Alliance at 410-778-3700, John@kentculture.org, or visit our website at www.kentculture.org