--- title: Villa Barr Art Park Artist In Residency 2027 description: >- Spring, Summer or Fall 2027 residency at Villa Barr Art Park, Novi MI, with private studio, wood and metal tools, onsite housing for visiting artists and a $500 stipend. url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/80221102-03ea-4436-b9ed-b8cd71b72318' type: program status: closed createdAt: '2026-09-03' updatedAt: '2026-09-29' programType: Residency organization: City of Novi organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/city-of-novi' deadline: '2026-09-15' entryFee: 20 USD location: 'Villa Barr Art Park, Novi, MI, United States' isOnline: false compensationRange: >- $500 stipend for all residents, plus a $500 travel stipend for visiting artists; private studio space and onsite housing for visiting artists --- # Villa Barr Art Park Artist In Residency 2027 **Hosted by:** City of Novi **Type:** Residency | **Location:** Villa Barr Art Park, Novi, MI, United States | **Deadline:** September 15, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $20 ## About This Program > "Public engagement at Villa Barr Art Park — proposals that engage the park's grounds, gardens, history or studio" The Villa Barr Art Park Artist Residency in Novi, MI, offers a unique retreat for artists to create and explore. With opportunities for local and visiting artists seeking inspiration and focus, the program fosters creative growth in peaceful environment rich with artistic history. The sculpture park and studios are located in in the countryside outside Detroit, on beautifully landscaped grounds with a pond and mature trees and gardens. The residency provides private studio space, onsite housing for selected visiting artists, and access to wood and metal-working tools. All residents are awarded a $500 stipend and private studio space. Artists traveling from out of the area are also awarded a $500 travel stipend. Villa Barr is located on four acres of landscaped grounds in the countryside outside of Detroit, Michigan. This property was sculptor David Barr's dream house and studio, and residents enjoy access to a private studio equipped with wood and metal working tools. Visiting artists also enjoy the use of the beautiful architect-designed home. The home consists of a ground level with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a skylit, lofted upper level of open-concept living space with an office, kitchen, and large living/dining area with a grand piano. The upper level of the house is only accessible via a spiral staircase. There are two private studio spaces and one shared studio space at Villa Barr. Visiting artists will use the home studio attached to the main dwelling. It houses worktables, storage and a sink with easy access to the main shared studio that contains woodworking equipment with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Local artists work out of the separate outbuilding that contains metal-working tools and an open, heated workspace with lofted ceilings and a large window that overlooks the grounds. We run three residency sections each year, Spring, Summer, and Fall. We accept two artists each section, one Visiting Artist who resides in the home, and one Local Artist who has access to the studio. Each artist is provided with a private studio space in addition to the main shared studio. Residents are each awarded a $500 materials stipend. Visiting artists are additionally awarded a $500 travel stipend. Strong project proposals state a clear vision for how you will engage with the public. Your public engagement could take many forms, including hands on workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, or permanent or temporary installation-based projects suitable for display in a public park. Great proposals additionally engage with Villa Barr Art Park grounds, gardens, history, or studio in thoughtful and creative ways that will also bring the public out to see what you are up to. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** International - **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old - **Note:** Must be 18 years of age. Location Eligibility Type: International. Eligible Applicant Types: Artist. Submission Limit: 3. Two artists are accepted each section: one Visiting Artist who resides in the home, and one Local Artist (Michigan artist) who has access to the studio. ### Additional Requirements You'll need to prepare a portfolio of up to 10 works, a brief artist bio, an artist statement, and a project proposal. Media requirements: Images min 0 / max 10; Audio min 0 / max 6; Video min 0 / max 3; Total min 6 / max 10. ## Compensation & Benefits $500 stipend for all residents, plus a $500 travel stipend for visiting artists; private studio space and onsite housing for visiting artists **Includes:** Stipend, Travel grant, Materials budget All residents are awarded a $500 stipend (described as a materials stipend) and private studio space. Artists traveling from out of the area (visiting artists) are also awarded a $500 travel stipend. $250 will be disbursed upon arrival and the remaining $250 upon successful completion of the residency and responsibilities. If the artist project proposal includes a ticketed event or class/workshop with paid registration, Novi Parks and Recreation will split any proceeds with the artist 60% artist / 40% Novi. ## What's Provided - **Housing:** Provided - Onsite housing for selected visiting artists in the architect-designed home: a ground level with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a skylit, lofted upper level of open-concept living space with an office, kitchen, and large living/dining area with a grand piano. The upper level of the house is only accessible via a spiral staircase. Local artists do not reside on site. - **Travel Support:** Available - Visiting artists receive a $500 travel stipend. The closest airport is Detroit (DTW), about a 35 minute drive. Villa Barr is located in the countryside with no public transportation, so residents will need to plan for their own transportation while residing on the property. - **Materials Support:** Available - Residents are each awarded a $500 materials stipend. - **Studio Access:** Provided - Two private studio spaces and one shared studio space. Visiting artists use the home studio attached to the main dwelling, with worktables, storage and a sink, with easy access to the main shared studio containing woodworking equipment, high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Local artists work out of a separate outbuilding containing metal-working tools and an open, heated workspace with lofted ceilings and a large window overlooking the grounds. ## Timeline - **Opens:** April 15, 2026 - **Deadline:** September 15, 2026 - **Program Start:** March 1, 2027 - **Program End:** November 30, 2027 ## Contact **Email:** jkayser@cityofnovi.org **Phone:** 248-347-0509 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://cityofnovi.org/villabarr