Studio Museum in Harlem Artist-in-Residence 2026–2027

The Studio Museum in Harlem is one of the most important institutions for art of African and Afro-Latinx descent globally. The museum's Artist-in-Residence program was founded in 1969 — among the longest-running artist residencies in the United States — and has since supported over 150 artists. The alumni list reads as a register of major figures in contemporary African-American art: David Hammons (1980–81), Wangechi Mutu (2003–04), Njideka Akunyili Crosby (2011–12), and many more.

Three artists are selected for the 2026–2027 cohort. The residency runs eleven months, November 2, 2026 through October 3, 2027. Each resident receives a $50,000 stipend paid biweekly, 24-hour access to a private studio and shared spaces within the museum's Harlem facility (144 W 125th Street), institutional guidance, professional development support, research access, and regular studio visits with the museum's curatorial team.

The residency culminates in a museum exhibition and accompanying publication, scheduled June through September 2027.

Eligibility is open to artists aged 18 and over working in any media — historically focused on artists of African and Afro-Latinx descent, though current language describes "three local, national, or international artists working in any media." The program is geared toward emerging practitioners, but all career stages are eligible.

Applications are free. Submissions go through SlideRoom and require a CV, 5 to 10 images or videos of work, and an artist statement. Letters of recommendation are encouraged but optional. The 2026 deadline is May 18 at 11:59 PM ET; results announced July 2026.