Visual Studies Workshop (VSW) seeks residency proposals from artists for its Project Space.

VSW supports artists in any stage of their career who are working in photography, film, or media art by offering 4 week Project Space Residencies at VSW in Rochester, NY. Project Space Residents receive 24/7 access to a private studio, digital printing equipment and an analog darkroom. They also receive a stipend of $1000, plus $250 for supplies, and a $500 travel budget for those traveling from outside the Rochester region.
 

We provide accessible housing for national/international artists. All of our Residents receive the support of VSW’s digital printing technician, program assistants, consultations with curators on staff and research support in VSW’s collections. The Project Space Residency also provides opportunities for artists to engage with the public through public lectures and Open Studios.
 

VSW welcomes applications from both U.S. based and international artists working in photography, film or media art. Each year, a jury panel consisting of VSW staff, past resident artists and guest curators review applications to select up to 12 artists for 4-week terms and one 2-week term in August.  
 

This round of residencies will be scheduled from January 2026 through December 2026.
 

The Project Space provides artists the opportunity to experiment with new work, new display strategies, and to have discussions with critics, curators, VSW staff, and the community-at-large about works-in-progress. An introductory event within the VSW community and a public talk or open studio are organized to engage the public with the visiting artist’s work and ideas.
 

Call opens:           March 28, 2025

Deadline:             June 2, 2025

Notification:         On or before August 8, 2025

Guidelines and FAQs
 

• Submit a 250-500 word proposal that describes your artistic practice and the project you will work on at VSW.
• Please submit samples of recent works made within the past 3 years in the form of still images, moving image pieces, documentation of installations or writing samples where applicable to the work.
• You MUST include a first and second choice of month for the residency. Note that summer months are very highly requested due to the number of educators who apply. 
• A bio of no more than 100 words with a website link.
• Collaborations are welcome and, in the case of a collaborative proposal, an additional 100-word bio and web links for proposed collaborators may be submitted. Collaborators from outside the Western NY region in need of housing need to be comfortable residing in the artist apartment together or find housing on their own. 
• The artist accommodation is located within walking distance from VSW in Rochester's Susan B. Anthony neighborhood. Free parking is available.  The apartment has one queen size bed. There is a small kitchen with all the essentials. There is a HEPA air purifier and the accomodation is professionally cleaned between residents.
• We do not permit pets in the artist accommodation or at VSW, but if an accepted artist has a support animal with an ESA certificate we can present it to the landlord for approval. Early notification to VSW of this accommodation is essential. 
• Family members or visitors are welcome at the artist accommodation and at VSW, however the workshop is not an appropriate space for small children, except as supervised short term visitors to your studio. If you feel you require special accommodations or have questions please contact us. 
• All submissions must be made through submittable.com.
• This is an artist residency for creative experimentation and we acknowledge that proposed projects are not always worked on and rarely completed during the time allotted. There are no requirements that accepted residents perform or complete a proposed project. The project proposal simply provides reviewers with a context for the scope and fit of the proposing artists' process and ideas for new or continued work and our capacities to support it. 
• Eligibility is open to all adult practitioners except currently enrolled students, who are not eligible for residencies at this time.
• Only one proposal per applicant. 
• Proposals by previous residents are welcome, however reviewers will prioritize first-time residents over those who have had a residency within the past three years.
• The deadline for submissions is June 2, 2025 at midnight Eastern Standard Time. 

Accepted media for work samples

• Up to 10 still images, no larger than 72 resolution and 10 inches on the longest side
• Up to 10 minutes of moving image material 
• For video only, one page of PDF with links to moving image works (must be a maximum of 10 minutes) Other PDF materials will not be reviewed

Contact Hernease Davis -- herneasedavis@vsw.org if you have questions.

Visual Studies Workshop nurtures experimental and expansive approaches to photography and media arts, and builds community among artists and the public through exhibitions, publications and residencies.

VSW envisions a society that values the human need to create and share ideas.
 

Artist residencies at VSW are supported in part by Joy of Giving Something, The Max and Marian Farash Foundation, The County of Monroe, The New York State Council on the Arts, and photography artists participating in the program receive support from the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.