Artist in Residence | Call for Proposals

The Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies invites artists to submit proposals for their Artists in Residence program. Residencies range in length from one week to several months.

In conjunction with the Renaissance of the Earth research mandate and aided by the Center’s collection of over 1,000 rare books and manuscripts, artists will be invited to explore the ways in which their process intersects with Renaissance (1490-1750) thought and craft to produce work that generates new perspectives on the relationship between the early modern world and our own. Projects should creatively open onto the ways in which today’s most urgent topics traffic in ideas that extend into the Renaissance.

For the 2025-2026 season, we are particularly interested in proposals that engage broadly with the elements of Earth or Air—through medium, thematic interest, or artistic process—and their wide-ranging evocations of ground, life, connection, atmosphere, space, breath, spirit, and motion.

The artistic project will act as a catalyst for interdisciplinary programming at the Kinney Center including masterclasses, performances, and exhibits. During their residency, artists will develop and share their work; engage students, researchers, and the public; offer opportunities for skill- and knowledge-sharing workshops; and create space for personal inquiry and collaborative relationships to flourish.

The Residency supports artists working in various fields, including, but not limited to:

• drawing
• creative writing
• sculpture
• music
• printmaking
• painting
• dance
• woodworking
• photography
• playwriting
• mixed media
• fiber arts
• jewelry making
• book arts

Program Details & Requirements

• Financially supported residencies for up to three artists per year.
• Optional office space at the Renaissance Center with Wi-Fi.
• Access to the Five College archives, libraries, digital resources, galleries, and special collections; as well as outdoor rehearsal and performance spaces at the Renaissance Center.
• Artists will donate one artwork, produced during their residency for inclusion in the Center’s permanent collection. For large-scale work, artists may negotiate an extended loan period.

To Apply

Application materials will be as follows:

• Letter of application that briefly describes the project for residency, 1-2 pages
• Curriculum vitae or resume with contact information for two professional references
• Work samples or portfolio