DVAA is now accepting applications for our 2027 FELLOWSHIP & Residency program:

Inspired by the vision of our founders, the DVAA Fellowship & Residency Program offers underserved artists and curators living within the Greater Philadelphia region an opportunity to access space, mentorship, and community with other local artists. Split between two distinctive tracks, a curatorial fellowship and artist-in-residence, the program offers creatives at different stages of their careers opportunity to grow alongside one another in a cohort setting. Designed to support underrepresented artists and curators from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, and experience levels at pivotal stages in the development of their practice – all cohort members receive one-on-one support from DVAA staff, collaborative support through studio visits and critiques, targeted professional development workshops, exhibition planning support, and installation technical guidance and support.

What THE RESIDENCY offerS:

• 1 month of 24-hour access to a private studio space on the third floor of Da Vinci Art Alliance (This is not a live-in space and does not include room and board)

• Inclusion in Cumulative Threads, DVAA’s annual exhibition featuring Resident’s work made within the year of their cohort program.

• 2-years of free Artist Membership with DVAA

• Support over the course of the year through monthly events, studio visits, workshops, cohort critiques, and one-on-one meetings

• Ongoing support from DVAA’s Fellowship & Residency Director and the rest of the staff

• An Artist Profile on the DVAA website

artwork courtesy of the 2024 residency cohort, see more here

Guidelines and Submission Requirements 

What is Expected:

• Attendance at cohort events including group meetings (4 a year) and Resident open studios (1 a month).

• Attendance at the DVAA annual members meeting (usually held on a Sunday afternoon in May or June).

• Attending at least one DVAA program each month.

• When in residence:

  • Coming to the Residency studio at least 3 days a week.

  • Meetings with the Fellowship & Residency Director when in residence.

  • Being present for your open studio day.
    
    

Who Can Apply:

We annually award the Residency to 10 individuals

The DVAA Residency Program is designed to support historically underrepresented and underserved artists at any point in their careers. The residency program is designed to support artists in a transitional period of their practice. This refers to artists who have recently graduated from a program, full time caregivers who are trying to find time for their art practice, people transitioning careers, a recent move, etc. Please feel free to apply if you feel like something in your life is calling out for time to focus on your practice both individually and amongst a community.

To qualify, applicants must be:

• Over 18.

• Planning to live in the Greater Philadelphia region during the full year of the program.

• Not currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a degree-granting program at time of application or during the cohort year.

The Residency is open to artists working in any medium, including writers and performers. However, please note that the nature of our studio space and building creates some practical restrictions. 

• The studio is located on the third floor of our 180+ year old building that has narrow stairs and no elevator. 

• It is not equipped with an industrial ventilation system to accommodate the use of volatile or toxic chemicals. 

• We do not have an automatic sprinkler system, so practices such as welding or glass torchwork are prohibited in the building for fire-safety reasons. 

• DVAA has a small outdoor space where artists may use spray paint, fixatives, and other more toxic materials at their own risk with the suggestion to provide themselves and regularly use a respirator. 

• Any artist using the yard will be asked to put a tarp down prior to spraying anything to avoid damaging the permanent art installation in the yard.

DVAA encourages prospective applicants to reach out with any questions about specific materials or techniques that they are unsure fall into the allowable categories. 

If you are an artist who typically uses art processes that DVAA cannot accommodate, please describe this in your application and include what alternative materials and processes you will be utilizing during your time with us.

Selection Criteria

The selection of the DVAA Residents is facilitated by DVAA’s Staff, who will be making selections based on the following criteria:

• Description of personal need for the Residency and cohort experience

• Project intentions, both during month of studio access and rest of residency year

• Clarity of application

• A portfolio that demonstrates a dedication to studio practice

  
  

Submitting an Application:

Only digital applications submitted through the button below will be accepted.

Any applicants who do not submit an application fee or an application will not be reviewed.

Applicants may only apply for one track within the Fellowship & Residency program. Duplicate applicants will not be reviewed.

• Application Fee $5

• Deadline to Apply May 31st, 2026 at 11:59 PM

• Applicant Notification By September 15th, 2026
  

Agreement:

By submitting artwork to this call, the artist is agreeing to allow DVAA to use images of the artwork on its website and social media if accepted into the residency program. Artist retains full copyright of the work. Images will not be used by DVAA aside from the DVAA website, marketing content, and social media posts.

If you have questions about the DVAA Fellowship & Residency program or need support in the application process, please contact info@davinciartalliance.org