Please contact us at arts@jackstraw.org or 206-634-0919 if this application format is not accessible to you for any reason.
Our artist residency programs - the Jack Straw Artist Support Program, New Media Gallery Program, and Writers Program - offer established and emerging artists in diverse disciplines an opportunity to explore the creative use of sound in a professional atmosphere through residencies in our recording studios, training, and participation in our various presentation programs.
Applications for each year's residency programs are generally available in the summer and due in the fall of the preceding year.
Residency Application workshops with Jack Straw staff and artists:
Archived recordings:
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 with 2025 Writers Program Curator Kathleen Alcalá, New Media Gallery artist Moonyeka, and Artist Support Program artist Reggie Garrett.
Thursday, October 27, 2022 with new Media Gallery artist Chanee Choi, Artist Support Program artist Marilyn Montúfar, and 2022 Writers Program Curator Michael Schmeltzer.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 with 2021 Writers Program Curator E.J. Koh, New Media Gallery Artist May Maylisa Cat, and Artist Support Program alum Natasha Marin.
Eligibility:
Artists may only apply for one of our artist residency programs each year.
Established and emerging artists working in any discipline or genre may apply to any one of the residency programs offered. Artists living outside of the Puget Sound region may apply, but should be aware that expenses for travel, lodging, etc. are not included in the award. Artists may apply as individuals or in teams.
Current Jack Straw staff, interns, board members, or their immediate family members may not apply. Artists participating in 2024 programs may not apply again for the same program in 2025. However, they may apply for a program in which they did not participate in the previous calendar year.
Please contact us at arts@jackstraw.org or 206-634-0919 if this application format is not accessible to you for any reason.
Jack Straw Cultural Center is now accepting applications for the 32nd year of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program, which helps artists of many genres and disciplines to create and present new work. Up to eight artists/teams are awarded 20 hours of free recording and production time with an engineer at Jack Straw Cultural Center; an additional 10-12 artists/teams receive matching awards. The Artist Support Program is open to artists of all disciplines whose project proposals include sound as a major component. Such projects might include recording a music album, producing radio programs, oral histories, audio literature, sound for a gallery installation or public art project, film, music and sound design for dance and theater, digital media work, etc. Completed projects are publicly presented at a Jack Straw artist event.
Selection Process:
Artist Support Program applications are evaluated and awarded by a multidisciplinary selection panel. The panelists change each year, and are all established artists and arts professionals invited by Jack Straw staff. The names of the panelists will be made public after the selection process has been completed. All applicants will be notified of the results in writing. Please allow at least twelve weeks after deadline dates for the review and notification process to be completed.
Selection Criteria:
The process can be highly competitive depending on the number and range of applications. Panelists will base their selections upon the excellence of the work represented in the support materials provided by the applicant; the artistic merit of the proposed project; the feasibility of the proposed project; and the subjective response of the panelists to the applicant’s proposal/work in comparison to the other submissions received.
Covid-19 Advisory
Our studios are currently operating at close to pre-pandemic capacity. However, given the overall uncertainty around the pandemic's progress, we may need to impose more restrictions in the future.
For artists located outside of the area who are unable to travel the Jack Straw, we may still be able to work with you, as long as your physical presence is not required in the studio. We are able to work with artists remotely for recording, editing, mixing, and training, with the lead artist providing direction remotely as needed.
QUESTIONS? Please carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.
Please contact us at arts@jackstraw.org or 206-634-0919 if this application format is not accessible to you for any reason.
Jack Straw Cultural Center is now accepting submissions for the 27th year of the Jack Straw New Media Gallery, a unique venue in Seattle where artists from various disciplines can present works in which sound is an integral or exclusive element. This program enables artists to experiment with audio and other technology and to develop new skills and ideas in a supportive setting. Up to four artists/teams are selected to receive up to 20 hours of free studio time with an engineer, which they may use to realize the sound component of their project, with training as needed. Artists’ new work is presented in our gallery in the following year. Gallery exhibitions include an opening reception, artist talk/workshop, podcast/interview posted on our web site, youth and family engagement programs, and other events.
Selection Process:
New Media Gallery applications are evaluated and awarded by a multidisciplinary selection panel. The panelists change each year, and are all established artists and arts professionals invited by Jack Straw staff. The names of the panelists will be made public after the selection process has been completed. All applicants will be notified of the results in writing. Please allow at least twelve weeks after deadline dates for the review and notification process to be completed.
Selection Criteria:
The process can be highly competitive depending on the number and range of applications. Panelists will base their selections upon the excellence of the work represented in the support materials provided by the applicant; the artistic merit of the proposed project; the feasibility of the proposed project; and the subjective response of the panelists to the applicant’s proposal/work in comparison to the other submissions received.
Covid-19 Advisory
Currently our exhibits are open to the public, but viewable by appointment only. Opening receptions and artist talks are being held in person, with artist talks available to stream online. The projects selected for the 2025-2026 year of the Jack Straw New Media Gallery will be scheduled to show no earlier than fall of 2025, so we are hopeful that we’ll be able to present them as planned. However, given the level of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is possible there may be unexpected changes in the schedule or details of this program.
QUESTIONS? Please carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.