Fresh Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Houston artists with opportunities to build knowledge, amplify resources, and connect communities.
Midtown Artist in Residency 2
Open to: Houston-based Individual Artists
Application Deadline:
Residency Period: October 1, 2026 –January 31, 2027
Award: $20,000 to one emerging or mid-career Houston artist
View the Residency Handbook for more info
Summary
The Midtown Artist in Residency Program supports one emerging or mid-career Houston artist through a four-month, in-person residency from October 2026 through January 2027.
As a Texas-designated Cultural Arts District with 14 arts organizations, Midtown is committed to strengthening Houston’s creative ecosystem and investing in local artists. This residency provides dedicated workspace, financial support, professional visibility, and opportunities for meaningful community engagement within Midtown.
The selected artist will receive:
- 24/7 access to a private office-suite workspace
- A $20,000 stipend
- Professional documentation support
- Marketing and promotional support from Midtown’s in-house team
- Access to Midtown’s cultural partners
- A featured presentation at the April Cultural Arts Mixer
- A culminating public presentation at the conclusion of the residency
Artists are expected to complete three community engagement activities, participate in one Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee meeting, attend monthly check-ins, and submit final documentation and a written reflection by July 31, 2026.
This application is for Residency Cycle Two.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Reside in Houston or Harris County
- Identify as an emerging or mid-career artist
- Work in any artistic discipline, including visual, literary, performance, digital, multimedia, or interdisciplinary practices
- Commit to an in-person residency from October 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027
- Attend the Cultural Arts Mixer
- Complete three community engagement activities within Midtown
- Attend one Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee (C+A) meeting (Third Thursdays)
- Not be currently enrolled in a full-time art-related degree program
Midtown welcomes artists from all backgrounds and experiences. The residency space is accessible, and accommodations can be arranged as needed.
What Midtown provides:
- Dedicated private workspace within the Midtown Management District building
- $20,000 stipend
- Marketing and visibility support from Midtown’s in‑house team
- Professional documentation support
- Access to Midtown cultural partners and networks
- Event space for talks, workshops, or presentations
Midtown does not provide housing, travel, food, specialty equipment, or materials.
View the Residency Handbook for more info
Residency Expectations
This application is for Residency Cycle #2 (October 2026–January 2027)
The selected artist will:
- Attend an onboarding session
- Participate in monthly check-in meetings
- Lead (3) three community engagement activities
- Present at one Cultural Arts Mixer
- Attend one Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee meeting
- Complete a final public presentation
- Submit final documentation and a written reflection
- Return the workspace in original condition
At least one community engagement activity must connect meaningfully to Midtown’s people, businesses, parks, history, or cultural identity.
Alumni Engagement
Midtown is committed to long-term relationships with residency alumni. Post-residency engagement may include:
- Continued promotion through Midtown channels
- Invitations to future events
- Eligibility for panels or mentorship roles
- Consideration for future programs
Applicant Information
1. Full Name:
2. Artist Name (if different):
3. Email Address:
4. Phone Number:
5. Website/Portfolio Link:
6. Social Media Handles:
– Instagram:
– Other:
7. Primary Artistic Discipline:
Artist Background
8. Artist Statement (300–500 words):
9. Artist Biography (150–300 words):
10. Resume or CV (optional; upload PDF):
11. Upload 5–7 Work Samples (JPG, PNG, PDF, or MP4):
12. Image List (1 page describing each work sample):
13. Recommendations: Provide contact information for 1–2 past project partners, commissioners, or collaborators:
14. Previous Residency Experience:
Residency Proposal
15. Project Title (Working Title Accepted):
16. Project Description (300–500 words): Describe your concept, themes, and how your work relates to Midtown.
17. Proposed Community Engagement Activities: Describe three (3) activities you plan to lead. Examples include:
• Workshop
• Artist talk
• Demonstration
• Neighborhood activation
18. Proposed Final Residency Presentation:
• Describe how you would like to present your completed work at the end of the residency.
19. Engagement Budget Plan:
• Provide a simple estimated budget (max 1 page) outlining how you plan to allocate stipend funds toward materials, supplies, and community engagement activities.
20. How will your work benefit or reflect the Midtown community? (150–300 words):
21. How does this residency align with your professional goals? (150–300 words):
Residency Requirements Confirmation
22. Are you available for the full residency period (October 1, 2026–January 31, 2027)? (Yes/No)
23. Can you attend the Cultural Arts Mixer? (Yes/No)
24. Can you attend one A+C Committee Meeting (Third Tuesday)? (Yes/No)
25. Can you complete three community engagement activities? (Yes/No)
26. Can you deliver final artwork, final presentation, written reflection, and documentation by January 31, 2027? (Yes/No)
Logistics & Support Needs
27. Do you require any accommodation or supports?
28. Will your project require outdoor space or community partnerships? If yes, describe:
Reference Requirements
Each reference must be someone who has worked with the applicant in one of the following capacities:
- A project partner, collaborator, or creative team lead
- A commissioning organization or client for a past artwork, design, or installation
- A supervisor, curator, program manager, or arts administrator familiar with your work
- For emerging artists: a mentor, educator, or community arts program lead may be used
Personal references will not be accepted.
Information to Provide for Each Reference
For each reference, applicants must include:
- Name
- Organization / Role
- Relationship to Applicant (e.g., commissioning client, curator, project partner)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Brief Description of Work Completed Together (1–2 sentences, e.g., mural commission, design project, public program, exhibition collaboration)
References will be contacted only if the applicant advances to the finalist round. Midtown Houston and its project partners may reach out to confirm:
- Quality and professionalism of past work
- Ability to meet deadlines and project expectations
- Communication and collaboration style
Capacity to execute public-facing work in community environments
Optional Demographic Information
29. Race/Ethnicity (optional):
30. Gender Identity (optional):
31. Age Range (optional):
32. Zip Code of Residence:
Certification
33. Applicant Agreement:
By submitting this application, I certify that the information provided is true and complete. I understand and agree to the expectations of the Midtown Artist in Residency Program, including:
- Completing three community engagement activities
- Participating in the Cultural Arts Mixer
- Participating in one C+A Committee meeting
- Completing monthly check‑ins
- Providing required documentation and deliverables
- Returning the workspace to its original condition
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a juror panel composed of arts professionals, community members, and cultural partners. Final selection is made through a juried process with staff oversight.
Selection criteria include:
- Artistic quality and professionalism
- Feasibility of the proposal
- Relevance to Midtown
- Strength of community engagement plan
- Overall fit with residency structure
We highly recommend drafting your responses in a Word document to prevent saving errors when working in Submittable. The deadline is 11:59 PM on August 16, and late submissions will not be accepted. Please allow plenty of time to enter your answers and avoid technical difficulties. For any Submittable technical issues, applicants should contact Submittable directly.
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Please note that Fresh Arts is facilitating this call on behalf of Midtown. For all application questions, contact: csnipe@midtownhouston.com
Fiscal Sponsorship Applications
Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis; however, only pre-approved projects that have met with our team may submit an application.
Before You Apply Please review the Fiscal Sponsorship FAQs and schedule a meeting with the Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator (by emailing fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org) before the 15th of the month. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis with deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
A $25 non-refundable application fee is required for your application to be reviewed. You can pay the fee through our portal https://fresharts.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/fiscal-sponsorship-application-fee
Application Review Process Fiscal sponsorship applications are reviewed quarterly by a committee, with final recommendations subject to approval by the Fresh Arts Board of Directors. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process before you begin fundraising for your project.
If you already have a budget, mission statement, and project description prepared, the application should take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete. Click here to download a budget template for your application
Important Note Fresh Arts is a small organization with limited capacity to support fiscally sponsored projects. If our program reaches capacity, we reserve the right to decline otherwise eligible applications or temporarily close the application process.
Questions: fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org