MASS MoCA Studios: July–December 2027 Visual Art & New-Media Residencies – Apply by November 1
Residency time for visual and new-media artists at MASS MoCA
The Studios at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, have announced a general-application call for residencies taking place July through December 2027. The published 2026 deadline is November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern time. This artist-in-residence opportunity primarily serves visual artists and writers; painters, photographers, sculptors, installation artists, printmakers and video/new-media artists are explicitly mentioned in the programme description. Applications are open internationally to adults aged 18 and older, without a uniform age or nationality limit.
What selected artists actually receive
Residencies last either two or four weeks. Artists have around-the-clock access to a private furnished studio, accommodation in a shared apartment with a private bedroom across from MASS MoCA, one communal meal per day and optional connections with curators and creative peers. Residents also receive access to professional-development webinars and certain museum membership benefits. The programme is designed for independent creative concentration, not as a paid gallery-show contract or an automatic commission for commercial video production.
The cost question: fellowship versus partially subsidized stay
The application itself is currently free, but not every accepted residency is free. Applicants using the general scheme may request financial aid and may be considered for relevant fully funded fellowships. Depending on need and outcome, the published standard contribution under the financially assisted regular application has been approximately US$0–450 per week. A fully funded fellowship, when awarded, can cover residency fees; it does not imply that every accepted artist receives the same financial package or a cash salary. Applicants should inspect updated rates and award-specific eligibility in the official guide.
General application is different from the early application
MASS MoCA operates a standard general application with deadlines normally on May 1 and November 1, plus separate early and alumni routes that have different fees and dates. The early application does not make candidates eligible for MASS MoCA's fellowship or aid budget and has listed a subsidized self-funded rate of US$650 per week. For a visual artist wishing to be assessed for a full or partial financial award, choosing the wrong application route could materially affect costs. Check the options carefully on the official portal.
Medium and workspace restrictions
The museum's artists' studios are not soundproof, so it discourages applications from musicians, dancers or performers needing rehearsal space. Art practices involving fumes beyond the venue's light-duty ventilation are also unsuitable. Video artists working quietly and new-media artists whose production fits the equipment and studio conditions can be appropriate, but availability of specialist installation technology or equipment should never be presumed. Groups or collectives can apply for compatible joint visual-arts and literary projects.
Organiser background and prior activities
MASS MoCA is a major contemporary art museum in the former factory complex at North Adams, Massachusetts. Since 2015, its Studios programme has hosted more than 1,000 artists and writers from a broad range of career stages and locations. Resident activities may include open studios, visiting curators, presentations, workshops and informal creative exchange. Published alumni, selection-process and studio-facilities pages provide an opportunity to review the programme's history before applying.
Submission procedure and next steps
Apply through the Studios at MASS MoCA's official Submittable portal reached from the programme website. The general application is competitive and does not guarantee either acceptance or financial support. An applicant should prepare a relevant portfolio, an account of their artistic practice and a proposal that fits the available studio setting. The published deadline is November 1, 2026, and the organisation cautions that technical difficulties near closing time do not justify late applications. Inquiries may be directed to studios@massmoca.org.
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This article summarizes the organisers' public information; fellowship availability, application route, residency fees and dates should be rechecked in the current Submittable form. Information last checked 20 October 2026.
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