Call for Artists: Spring 2027 SFW Residency at the Kent Cultural Alliance.
The Kent Cultural Alliance (KCA) is excited to announce its Spring 2027 SFW Resident Artist Program session, inviting artists to apply for a six-week residency session in Chestertown, Maryland devoted to the theme of service. A total of three (3) 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 2027 session. Service, as the theme of KCA’s Spring 2027 session is intended to creatively serve the needs of our communities for which the artwork is made.
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 within the Kent County community. In the past, these workshops have engaged participants in public schools, care facilities, and senior centers among others. Resident artists also participate in artist talks and open studio events throughout the six-week 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 MidShore Community Foundation, The Hedgelawn Foundation, MidAtlantic Arts, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and contributions from individuals near and far.
Residency Details
Spring 2027: March 14 - April 24 on the theme of SERVICE in partnership with For All Seasons, Kent County Food Pantry, and Sumner Hall, Chestertown.
Duration: The session is six weeks long, accommodating up to three artists. (Note: artists are expected to live on-site at the Raimond Center during the full 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. 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 related to the theme of service.
Workshops: each artist will provide one or two workshops in partnership with a social service agency or school in Kent County.
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 (all disciplines of artistry are encouraged including visual art, creative writing, music, fashion, dance, etc. if you have questions please reach out) from across the U.S. are welcome to apply. International Artists may only apply if they have a current visa allowing them to work legally in the USA (no tourist visas).
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.
Application Process
Artists should submit:
Up to 4 images of current work and links to a website and/or social media.
A narrative statement (500 words or less) detailing the connection between the artist’s past/current work and community engagement,
A narrative statement (500 words or less) on the artist’s connection to the theme of SERVICE - why does this theme appeal to you and how does this theme fit within the history of your artistic practice?).
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, please contact Rob Blackson, Director of the Kent Cultural Alliance at 410-778-3700, rob@kentculture.org, or visit our website at www.kentculture.org