Residency Programs
Ground Floor Program residency group Alchemyverse in their studio, 2022. Courtesy of the artists
Ground Floor Program resident, Nicole Franchy in her studio, 2015. Photo by Megan Paetzhold.
At the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) each artist and curator is provided with a private and furnished studio space and 24-hour access to all communal facilities. While ISCP does not provide accommodation, most International Program sponsorships include stipends for living expenses, travel, materials and housing. All residents at ISCP are encouraged to take advantage of the in-house community of artists and curators, offering invaluable international and local networks, professional conversations and critique.
An International Program residency at ISCP is typically three to six months, although artists and curators can apply for up to one year. While in the International Program, all residents are invited to participate in a number of activities in and outside of ISCP including the four core program activities: Visiting Critics, Field Trips, Artists and Work and Open Studios.
Visiting Critics
The Visiting Critic series is the hallmark of ISCP’s residency program. It introduces residents to professionals from museums, galleries, alternative spaces and publications within the context of a studio visit, generating critical feedback from diverse positions.
Field Trips
ISCP organizes visits to museums, galleries, alternative spaces, archives and other places of interest to art professionals. Often, a curator or staff member introduces the institution’s mission and program. Past Field Trips have included the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Conservation Department at MoMA, Dia:Beacon, Art Omi, art spaces in SoHo and on the Lower East Side, private collections and many other institutions in Greater New York.
Open Studios
Twice a year, in April and November, ISCP hosts two-day Open Studios, presenting work by the 35 ISCP artists and curators in residence, accompanied by performances, panel discussions and exhibitions. During Open Studios, residents present recent projects, work in progress, site-specific installations and their archives to thousands of professionals and art enthusiasts from New York and beyond.
Artists at Work
Residents at ISCP are invited to present their recent work in monthly public ‘Artists at Work’ presentations. These events feature lectures, screenings and performances, and introduce the work of ISCP artists and curators to the New York art community.
The Ground Floor residency is a one-year program that offers subsidized workspace and professional development for New York City-based artists. Launched in 2015, Ground Floor at ISCP takes place on the first floor of ISCP in tandem with ISCP’s acclaimed international residency program, forming an integral part of the dynamic, in-house fusion of artists and curators from all over the world.
Throughout the year, ISCP organizes professional development activities specifically for Ground Floor artists, including regular one-on-one meetings with Visiting Critics. Past critics include Ruba Katrib, Polly Apfelbaum, Jim Hodges, Gee Wesley, and Piper Marshall. In addition, Ground Floor artists are invited to make proposals for ISCP’s project space, participate in three open studios events annually, and attend monthly social gatherings.
Apply
International Program at ISCP
Artists and curators from anywhere in the world, including the United States, can apply for International Program residencies at ISCP.
Current ISCP Open Calls (scroll down for more information on each):
- ISCP Direct Application – no deadline to apply
- ISCP Pollock-Krasner Residency – deadline: September 5, 2023
There are three ways of applying to the International Program: 1) a partner application 2) by ISCP open call or 3) a direct application. These residencies are generally between three and twelve months and are sponsored by governments, corporations, foundations, institutions, organizations, galleries and private patrons. Each artist or curator is provided with 24-hour access to his or her studio, and free wireless internet. In addition, all residents can use ISCP’s common areas. ISCP does not provide or arrange living accommodation, however, a number of partner sponsors, who send participants to ISCP each year, have furnished apartments for residents. In addition, sponsors often give a stipend for accommodation, living expenses, travel and materials.
Partner application
ISCP collaborates with over forty partner governments, institutions and organizations to fund residency opportunities. Partner sponsors publicly call for applications for residencies at ISCP. Over the course of the year, ISCP holds various open calls. Open calls are often sponsored by partner sponsors and are fully funded. Applicants will apply to ISCP directly meeting the specific parameters of the open call application and its process. Please check our open calls page regularly for more information and opportunities.
Direct application
If you wish to apply directly to ISCP, please read the information below carefully:
- Please email the application form and supporting materials to application@iscp-nyc.org. ISCP does not locate sponsors for direct applicants.
- Once accepted, artists and curators are responsible for securing funding. Please have a look at our previous sponsors for potential funding sources.
- When planning your residency, please bear in mind that residencies are scheduled approximately one year in advance. There is extremely limited availability for 2022-2023, and we are currently scheduling for 2024.
- There is no deadline and the application review takes place once a quarter.
- ISCP does not accept applications from artists or curators currently enrolled in school.
- ISCP requires that artists and curators in residence are highly proficient in spoken and written English.
- Due to the volume of applications received, ISCP is unable to provide feedback for unsuccessful applications.
The following steps must be taken in the order below before an applicant can be accepted into ISCP’s International Program:
- Application is sent to ISCP.
- ISCP’s panel reviews the application within two months.
- If the application is successful, the applicant receives an acceptance letter.
- Applicant has two years from the date of the acceptance letter to locate funding.
- When funding has been secured by applicant, ISCP confirms directly with sponsor. Residencies cannot be self-funded or crowdfunded.
- When sponsor has confirmed, ISCP staff and applicant schedule residency.
- If necessary, applicant must apply for a US visa (see below).
- Applicant makes appointment with ISCP staff and arrives in New York.
The program fee for 2022 is $27,615.33 to $30,522.40 per year or $2,301.28 to $2,543.53 per month. The program fee for 2023 is $28,443.82 to $31,438.03 or $2,370.32 to $2,619.84 per month. In addition, the applicant needs to calculate accommodation, living, travel and health insurance costs for the duration of their stay in New York. Addendum for foreign applicants regarding visa application: Once a contract has been signed between the sponsor and ISCP, residents should immediately begin the process of securing a visa to enter the United States. The U.S. State Department’s consular website can be checked to confirm visa eligibility and requirements: http://travel.state.gov/ ISCP recommends making contact immediately with the nearest United States Consulate or Embassy in the resident’s home country. ISCP residents generally enter the United States on a B1/B2 visa, which is issued for business/tourist purposes. Upon request, ISCP will provide a letter in support of the visa application to incoming participants. Please fill out and email the downloadable application form along with your supporting materials to application@iscp-nyc.org. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF. Please include all the supporting materials below in one document by email. Direct Application Make sure to attach the following supporting materials in your application:
- Curriculum vitae: 5 pages max.
- Work samples: this should include 10 images or video links with a caption (title, date, medium, and dimensions/duration for each work) and a description of each work
- 2 – 3 Scanned copies of reviews (if applicable): 10 pages max.
- 2 – 3 Scanned copies of catalogs (if applicable): pages that feature your work only
- Reference letter: can be sent to ISCP directly with applicant’s name in subject line to application@iscp-nyc.org
- Second reference contact information: please include name, title, institution, email, telephone and address (different referee from above, contact information only)
Applications should be emailed to application@iscp-nyc.org. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt and will hear from ISCP’s review panel within two months. If you should experience technical difficulty or have any questions about applying for the residency program at ISCP, please email Veronica Sanchez, Programs Assistant, vsanchez@iscp-nyc.org.