Our application for the 2025 Open Call for Visual Arts and Music Residency will be available from Monday, August 4 at 10:00 AM ET to Sunday, August 31 at 11:59 PM ET. The application can be accessed via residency.pioneerworks.org/application.

About

Even before creating a formalized program, residencies have been a cornerstone of our mission. Before adopting the name Pioneer Works, our founding team proposed the "Museum of the Working Artist." While the name didn’t stick, the ethos did. We are deeply committed to providing emerging artists and musicians a space to work, tools to create, and a platform to exchange ideas.

Each year, we select artists-in-residence through an open call. Aided by a jury of experts and alumni residents, Pioneer Works welcomes artists who work outside existing models and “norms” of their field, and who will benefit from our unique facilities and culture. As such, Pioneer Works shifts and evolves to reflect the interests and work of each new cohort of residents, from public education offerings to Second Sundays: a monthly forum of artistic experimentation through activations, open studios, and performance.

All residents who complete the program join our ever-growing alumni network of collaborators who continue to teach, partner, and lead public programming at Pioneer Works.

FAQs

How many residents are accepted per cohort?

We host 12 Visual Arts Residents and 12 Music Residents each year.

Do you accept collectives?

Yes, we do. However, resources (including, but not limited to, the financial honorarium, studio, and studio visits) would be shared.

Can I apply if I am an alumnus of the program?

No, alumni are not eligible to apply.

Can I apply if I'm currently in college or graduate school?

No, we do not accept current students.

Can I apply if I am not based in New York City?

Yes, the program accepts applications from artists working locally, nationally, or internationally. Please note, however, that Pioneer Works cannot provide assistance with housing, travel expenses, or visas. We do not sponsor international visa applications.

What resources do you offer?

We offer free studio space; free access to facilities and tools which include a risograph printer, darkroom, ceramics studio, large format printer, 3D printers, thermobinder, and laser cutter; biweekly studio visits with curators, gallerists, critics, and artists; and free access to public programs presented at Pioneer Works.

Do you offer a financial award?

We offer Visual Arts artists-in-residence a one-time $2500 financial award, and our Music artists-in-residence a $1,000 financial award. These honoraria can be applied towards anything of the artists’ choosing.

Do you offer housing?

No, we do not.

How long are your residencies?

The Visual Arts residency is 5 months, while the Music residency is 1 month.

What is the review process for this Open Call? The review process is conducted in two phases. First, each application is reviewed internally by Pioneer Works staff. Next, during the final round, a panel of external jurors—comprising art professionals and alumni residents—reviews semi-finalists' applications before selecting a list of finalists. The Open Call jury evaluates applicants based on the strength of their application, artistic merit, and potential to benefit from a unique and collaborative public-facing residency program.

The juries will convene in mid-October, after which the finalists will be contacted. We will notify all applicants about the status of their applications by November.

Do you offer portfolio feedback?

Unfortunately, we do not due to the volume of applications received.

I have another question that is not addressed here.

Please reach out to residency@pioneerworks.org.