Studios Inc is a nonprofit arts organization and gallery in Kansas City, MO. Our competitive three-year program is designed for mid-career artists ready to propel their careers to new heights. Artists in Residence use their studio and exhibition space to produce and exhibit work, network, and attract and cultivate relationships with art patrons, collectors, and other arts professionals.
The Studios Inc Residency Program provides free industrial studio and exhibition spaces to mid-career artists of mixed disciplines. As our residents build their physical body of work, we work to help them foster relationships with collectors, patrons, and art professionals in the creative community. The converted 1900's warehouse's placement on the edge of the Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District provides artists in residency with a direct connection to their community through Studios Inc-hosted events during the popular First Friday monthly arts walk.
Qualifications
- A willingness to support program objectives by maintaining a strong studio presence, maximizing use of available facilities to create significant work, contributing to a collegial creative atmosphere, and participating in studio community activities.
- A strong desire to produce art as demonstrated by a solid track record.
- A focus on the artist's unique definition of their "next level" of professional achievement.
- Must reside in the Greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Platte, and Clay counties in MO and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Douglas counties in Kansas) now or be willing to relocate to live in the Kansas City area for the duration of the residency. If applying as a non-resident, please include a short statement regarding your intention to relocate to the area.
- Must be a mid-career artist with at least seven years experience since undergraduate studies or professional equivalent. Mid-career is a flexible category, defined partly by age, partly by time on the job, but they have one thing in common: their work has developed over time and maintained its presence for a number of years as evidenced by regional or national recognition through publication or public presentation. Beyond our quantitative measure of seven years experience after undergraduate studies, it is a qualitative measure where an artist has a body of work that has a well developed language or style.
Requirements
- Artist must sign a Temporary Art Space License Agreement documenting their occupancy requirements.
- Artist is required to purchase and maintain Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance for the duration of their residency.
- Artists provide their own materials, supplies, furniture, equipment, etc. Studios Inc is never responsible for loss to an Artist's personal property including art work. Artists are encouraged to carry insurance for personal property.
- Artist shall maintain residence in the Greater Kansas City area for the duration of their residency (typically a 3 year term).
- Artist must maintain a strong studio presence, maximizing use of available facilities to create significant work.
Benefits
- Three-year residency term, beginning February 2027 and concluding January 2030.
- Access to wood shop and fenced-in lot for outdoor installations or workspace.
- Industrial studio spaces ranging from 500 to 3,000 sq ft.
- The opportunity to create a powerful solo exhibition in our large exhibition hall.
- Resident artist's work included in our annual Spring exhibition.
- The Studios Patron Program provides the opportunity for a heightened level of dialogue between resident artist and patron through studio visits and exhibitions.
- Heightened public recognition and broader access to collectors.
Timeline
- August 1, 2026: Application period opens
- October 1, 2026: Application period closes at 11:59 CST
- October 2026: Jury will review all eligble applications
- November 2026: Finalist Presentations
- Mid-December 2026: Award Notification
- February 2027: Three-year Residency term begins