Initiated in 2018, the Universal Access Artist Residency is for artists who identify as having a disability. This month-long residency provides funding, studio space and professional support for an artist to produce a solo exhibition immediately following the residency at Artspace. During the residency the artist works in the gallery where the work will be exhibited.
Residents can actively contribute to Artspace’s artistic and educational programming by participating in First Friday, Raleigh’s monthly art walk; being available for studio visits and tours; and working in their studios during Artspace’s business hours. While this contribution is encouraged, the main goal of this residency is to provide the resident with the space and opportunity to devote themselves to their creative practice.
Application deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026 11:59 EST
Artist Notified: Second week of April 2026
Residency dates: June 1 - June 30, 2026
Exhibition dates: July 2 - August 2, 2026
This opportunity includes:
- A month to work on a project of their choice
- 24-hour access to a private, rent-free 320 square foot public-facing space
- A stipend of $2500 (50% paid at the start and 50% at the end of the residency)
- Housing for artists coming from outside the Triangle.
- Opportunities to interact with the public and the artist community
- Community engagements through intentional programming, including speaking and teaching opportunities with our studio artists, meetings and community conversations, artist talks, and critiques
- Continued support through consultations with our knowledgeable staff, promotions on our social media channels and website, and monthly e-news with calls for artists and other listings
- A professionally installed solo exhibition at Artspace
- A professionally written essay and full color brochure
ELIGIBILITY
- Open to artists who identify as having a disability
- Artists working in most media will be considered, including experimental media; however, artists working with toxic materials, hazardous machinery, etc. will not be considered due to limitations within the building
- Artists must not be enrolled in an institutional artistic program of study, including instructional museum programs, during the residency period. (Applicants may be in school during the application process)
- Artists must be ready to enjoy working in an open studio setting where the public is able to interact with artists
- During the course of the residency the studio must serve as the resident’s primary work space
- Artists will be expected to engage in Artspace programming during the course of the residency and exhibition, for example: attending First Friday, events, participation in tours and/or field trips, artist talks and/or demos, teaching, and/or collaboration with other studio artists
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
- Artist statement (250 words or fewer)
- Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
- Statement of interest addressing the following questions: What is your proposed exhibition? How will engagement with the community (artists, visitors, and/or community groups) help you to achieve your goals? How do you plan to use your time at Artspace? What if any accommodations and/or tools will you need for success?
- Portfolio:
- 2D and 3D:
- Upload 10 digital images of works completed within the past 3 years
- Images must be in JPEG or PNG format
- 5MB maximum per image
- Video (if applicable):
- Upload a minimum of 3 videos completed within the last 2 years
- MPG or AVI file formats only
- 5-minute maximum for each video (can be segments of longer works)
- List of your images/videos files in your portfolio. For each file, please provide:
- Title
- Media
- Dimensions for two or three dimensional work (height x width x depth)
- Year Completed
- Two letters of recommendation. Please ask the person recommending you to send their letters directly to Artist Programs Manager, Alexandra Jane at awalker@artspacenc.org
ACCESSIBILITY
Studios, galleries and all public areas are wheelchair accessible. If you have an accessibility need, please let us know in the application. Questions? Contact Artist Programs Manager, Alexandra Jane at awalker@artspacenc.org.
INCLUSION STATEMENT
We believe that access to the arts is a right; one which has the power to create positive change in communities. Through education and engagement for people of all ages and abilities, community outreach and engagement, accessible studio space, and art exhibitions, Artspace works to remove the barriers that prejudice and privilege have created so that everyone in our community has equitable access to arts and culture.