2027 Studio Residency Program
Applications are now closed.
The Oolite Arts Studio Residency program provides artists with the time, space, resources, and community needed to advance their practices and reach new levels of excellence. Studio Residents receive free studio space for one year at Oolite Arts’ Miami Beach headquarters, along with access to critical connections with art leaders, exhibition opportunities, professional development, and financial resources that can open pathways to career-changing opportunities.
Thanks to support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Studio Residents who have lived in South Florida for at least two years will also receive a $12,000 Knight Artist Housing Stipend. Oolite Arts will provide an additional $3,000 in support, for a total of $15,000, to help ease the impact of the region’s affordability crisis.
Studio Residency Program Commitments and Benefits
- Free studio space on Miami Beach with 24-hour access.
- Resident artists are required to commit to using their studios at least 15 hours per week.
- Absences longer than 30 days are not permitted.
- Resident artists are required to attend monthly meetups.
- South Florida artists are eligible for a $12,000 annual housing stipend through the Knight Artist Housing Stipend program.
- Oolite Arts will provide additional support of $3,000 annually.
- Use of Oolite facilities including a flex space and fabrication facilities, such as printshop, digital lab, and others.
- Resident artists are expected to actively participate in Oolite-organized public programs, including quarterly Open Studios, exhibition openings, special events, and professional development opportunities, as well as engage with visiting arts professionals, and community outreach initiatives.
- Artists selected for the program are eligible for ongoing alumni opportunities after completion, and throughout the artist’s career.
NOT INCLUDED
Oolite Arts Studio Residency Program does not cover travel or visa costs.
Selection Process
Oolite Arts staff reviews applications to ensure completion and eligibility. Submissions are reviewed by a multi-member jury of curators and arts professionals based outside of Miami. The jury evaluates each candidate and selects finalists.
Eligibility
Age
To be eligible for an Oolite Arts Residency program, applicants must be 21+ and cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting academic program (college or university) for 2027.
Location
In order to be eligible for an Oolite Arts Residency Program, applicants must be current residents of South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Monroe counties).
Proof of Residency
As proof of residency in South Florida, applicants must submit a scan of their Florida-issued ID or drivers license and a secondary proof of residency that matches the address of the ID, such as bank statements or utility bills.
Prior Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards Winners
After winning an Ellie, Oolite Arts Award (Creator Award, Art Teacher Travel Award, Curatorial Practice and Critical Writing Award and A Better World Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, Inspired by Michael Richards), the winner cannot apply for any residency opportunities for the following two years.
Resident Artists
After participating in an Oolite Arts residency (Studio Residency, Home + Away Residency, Live.In.Art Residency, or Cinematic Residency), the resident may not apply for another residency opportunity for the following 2 years.
- Current 2026 residents (Studio Residents, Home + Away Residents, Live.In.Art, and Cinematic Residents) cannot apply for a residency for 2027.
- 2025 residents (Studio Residents, Home + Away Residents, Live.In.Art, and Cinematic Residents) cannot apply for a residency for 2027.
- Even if a resident began their residency before 2025, they are ineligible if they were still in residence in 2025.
- Ex. A 2024-2025 Studio Resident cannot apply for a 2027 residency.
- Even if a resident began their residency before 2025, they are ineligible if they were still in residence in 2025.
Dual Applications (The Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards and any Artist Residency)
All applications for The Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards and Artist Residencies (Studio Residency, Home + Away Residency, and Cinematic Residency) are open at the same time.
Applicants may apply for multiple opportunities; however, they may only receive one award or residency.
As part of the application process, all Oolite Arts applications will ask the applicant to list their preferences in order in the event they are selected for more than one opportunity. This preference must be marked consistently across all submitted applications. If the order of preference is marked differently across applications, the applicant may be disqualified from consideration.
If an applicant is selected for multiple opportunities, Oolite Arts will honor the applicant’s stated preference and offer only that opportunity.
Conflict of Interest
Oolite Arts Board members, employees, and their family members are not eligible to apply.
Advisory Board Members, consultants/individuals contracted by Oolite Arts, and former staff are eligible to apply.
Discipline
In order to be eligible for an Oolite Arts Residency Program, applicants must practice in one or more of the following fields:
- Painting
- Sculpture & Installation
- Photography
- Printmaking & Works on Paper
- Video, Film & Moving Image
- Digital & New Media
- Performance & Live Art
- Public Art & Social Practice
- Material Practices (Ceramics, Textiles & Mixed Materials)
- Time-Based Media (including Sound Art)
Oolite Arts believes that artists from a wide variety of backgrounds and identities should have access to artistic support. Oolite Arts as an organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.
Contact
Celeste Viana
[email protected]
FAQ
How long is the Studio Residency?
The Studio residency program runs from Feb. 16, 2027 to Jan. 14, 2028.
Who is eligible to apply for a Studio Residency?
South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties) residents, age 21 and over who are not participating in an academic program in 2027. Applicants must have an active Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID card to apply. Applicants cannot have won an Ellie, Oolite Arts Award or participated in an Oolite Arts Residency in the past two years.
I was an Oolite Arts Resident (Studio, Home + Away, Live.In.Art, Cinematic) and/or won an Ellie, Oolite Arts Award in the past two years (2025 and/or 2026). Can I apply for a 2027 Studio Residency?
No. An individual is ineligible to apply for a Studio Residency if they won an Ellie, Oolite Arts Award or participated in any Oolite Arts Residency in the past two years. Therefore, any Oolite Arts Residents or Ellies winners from 2025 or 2026 are ineligible to apply for a 2027 Studio Residency. Any Ellies, Oolite Arts Award winner or Oolite Arts Resident must wait 2 years before applying to another Oolite Arts opportunity. 2025 awardees/residents may apply for a 2028 Oolite Arts opportunity, and 2026 awardees/residents may apply for a 2029 Oolite Arts opportunity.
Do you accept artists from other states and other countries?
No, only artists currently residing in one of South Florida’s four counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe) are eligible to apply.
I have applied for a studio at Oolite Arts before. Do I need to apply again?
Yes.
Will having had a studio at Oolite Arts in the past help or hinder my chances of being selected?
If you had an Oolite Arts studio in the past, it will not help or hurt your chances of being selected.
I work with another artist as a collaborative team or artist collective. Do we need to apply separately?
Collaborative teams may apply together and show their collaborative practice. If you wish to be considered as an individual artist separate from your collaborative work, then individual work should be submitted.
What if I am accepted, but I cannot move in right away?
The program will run from Feb. 15, 2027 – Jan. 14, 2028. Once accepted, all applicants will be expected to move in February 2027.
When will I be notified of acceptance/rejection?
After all applications are received, they will be reviewed by a multi-member jury of arts professionals based outside of South Florida. The jury evaluates each candidate and selects finalists. Oolite Arts will notify applicants in late fall 2026.
How long will the application take me to complete?
The application is designed to be as simple as possible, to empower applicants with a quick, straightforward process, while providing enough information to the independent jury to review applicants’ work. Last year, Oolite Arts asked for a recommendation letter, but that requirement was eliminated to reduce the application workload and replaced with two names of references. Oolite Arts applications only ask one or two narrative questions, in addition to items most artists already have available: artwork images, artist statement, CV, and bio. We estimate the application will take most users up to 2 hours to assemble uploads or links, and draft one or two narrative answers.
Do I need to have renter’s insurance for my studio?
Yes. All resident artists are required to maintain renter’s insurance for the full duration of the residency term.
I don’t have an account with Submittable.com. Can I still apply for a Studio Residency?
You will need an account with Submittable.com. It is free, so please create one if you intend to apply.
I am having trouble with Submittable.com. Where can I get help?
Submittable.com has an extensive Help Section. Submittable Help Link
Can I drop off my application at Oolite Arts in person?
If you have no access to the Internet, then you should call our office, 305-674-8278 ext. 311.
I have read the FAQ and the application, and I still have some questions before applying. May I call the office to see if I can have my questions answered?
We are happy to answer any other questions that you may have. You can reach Celeste Viana at 305-674-8278 ext. 317.
I am having issues uploading files. What should I do?
For assistance with uploads, Submittable.com offers a clear step-by-step guide to the file submission process. Submittable Help Link
My work is more suitably presented in video or audio format; can I upload a video or audio file instead?
While you cannot upload video and audio files directly to Submittable, the application allows you to provide a link to sites such as YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, etc., where the files can be reviewed by Oolite Arts.
Can I bring my work to the office or gallery for review?
You cannot bring your work to the office or gallery for review. Oolite Arts cannot ensure the security of the artwork due to the volume of applications we receive.
Contact
Celeste Viana
[email protected]
Knight Artists Housing Stipend FAQ
Who is eligible for the Knight Artist Housing Stipend?
All artists awarded the 2027 Studio Residency are eligible, provided they can verify continuous residency in South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Monroe counties) for the past two years.
What documents do I need to submit to be eligible for the Knight Artist Housing Stipend?
If selected, Studio Residents will need to provide two of the following documents to qualify for the Knight Artist Housing Stipend: a monthly mortgage statement, residential rental/lease agreement, Florida voter registration card, or utility bill. Please note: you may use two of the same type of document.
I am an artist who is coming back to South Florida and has always had an address in South Florida. Do I qualify for the Knight Artist Housing Stipend?
You will qualify if you can show proof of two consecutive years as a South Florida resident.
Will the funds from the Knight Artist Housing stipend be taxable?
Oolite Arts will provide a receipt for your tax records but cannot offer guidance on personal tax matters. Please consult your own tax advisor for assistance.
What if I do not have proof of South Florida residency documents because I share my living space with someone else whose name is used on all the bills?
You may provide mail delivered to your address, along with a letter from the leaseholder confirming the amount you contribute toward rent and bills, and a bank statement showing regular monthly payments to that person.
How is the Knight Artist Housing Stipend going to be distributed?
Oolite will distribute funds monthly, either by ACH direct deposit to your bank account or by mailing a check to your preferred address.
The Studio Residency
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