Residencies in New Orleans

Artist Louise Mouton Johnson working at a sewing machine in her studio at the Joan Mitchell Center. She is surounded on the walls by patterned paper and fabric framed works. — Louise Mouton Johnson in her studio at the Joan Mitchell Center, 2018. © Reginald Eldridge, Jr.

Overview

At the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans, we offer artists dedicated time and space for the creative process through residencies ranging from 6 to 14 weeks in length. Artists have opportunities to engage with arts professionals, partner arts organizations, and others in the community.

Eligible artists must either be based in New Orleans (for the last five years) or native to New Orleans, or be a former grant recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation based anywhere in the United States. Former Artists-in-Residence of the Center are not eligible to apply, with the exception of the JMF Early Art Practitioners (EAP).

The application for 2026 residencies is now open through Friday, May 30 at 5pm (CT).

Selected artists will receive:

A private studio at the Center for either 6 weeks or 14 weeks in the Spring or Fall sessions or 6 weeks in the Summer session
Weekday communal meals
A $150 weekly stipend
A range of professional development and community building opportunities

Past Residents

More About the Center

Eligibility & Selection Process

ELIGIBILITY

Artists applying from New Orleans:

Must have lived in New Orleans as your primary residence for the last 5 years (Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parish residents will be considered) OR
Be a New Orleans native (born in Orleans, Jefferson, or Plaquemines Parish)

Artists applying from outside of New Orleans:

Must be a past recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation artist support programs including: Painters & Sculptors Grants, MFA Grants, Emerging Artist Grants, Emergency Grants, Creating a Living Legacy Awards, Early Art Practitioner Council Members, and Joan Mitchell Foundation Art Education Program Artist Teachers. Joan Mitchell Fellows in the fourth or fifth year of their fellowship may apply; therefore, 2021 and 2022 Fellows are eligible to apply for 2026 residencies.

In addition, all applicants must meet the following criteria:

Identify as a visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work with a serious commitment to an artistic practice.
Be at a pivotal point in their career and demonstrate how the residency would be a benefit.
Have never previously been an Artist-in-Residence at the Joan Mitchell Center, with the exception of the Early Art Practitioner (EAP) residencies.
Be 21+ years of age.
Must not be enrolled as a student in any degree-granting art program during the residency period.
Need a professional workspace to support a studio practice.
Be committed to be present and active for the duration of the residency cycle and participate in the professional development and studio visit consultations.
Complete and submit an application.

Application & Selection Process

Use the links below to access the online application form (via Submittable) and application guidelines
Applicants are asked to submit ten work samples with descriptions, an explanation of how their practice would benefit from the residency experience, along with a biography, resume, and headshot. Full Guidelines & FAQs for all eligible applicants are linked below.
Applications for 2026 residencies must be submitted by Friday, May 30, 2025 at 5pm CT.
Applications will be reviewed by a jury of artists and arts professionals. Selected artists will be notified early Fall 2025.
For more information or support with the application process, please contact [email protected].

Application for All Eligible Artists

2026 Guidelines & FAQs

Campus tour on the porch of the Joan Mitchell Center residences building.

Want to Learn More?

We will host a virtual information session about the residency program which will include an overview of the residency program, best practices for your application, and time for questions from attendees. We will also be offering campus tours to see the studios and residences and learn more about the program.

Virtual Info Session:
Wednesday, April 23, 3:00pm CT

Campus Tours:
Wednesday, May 7 at 11:00am CT and 3:00pm CT
Thursday, May 8 at 11:00am CT and 3:00pm CT

See All Event Details & Register

We also offer a virtual tutorial and application walkthrough in the video linked below.

Application Support & Resources

For further information or support with the application process beyond these resources, please contact [email protected]. We will also host onsite, 1-on-1, application support sessions May 13–24. Contact program associate Trécha Gay Jheneall at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more.

Guidelines & FAQ

If you have questions about your Joan Mitchell Center Artist-in-Residence application, find the answers here!

Video: Application Walkthrough

This tutorial walks you through the application on Submittable, outlining best practices for your application.

My residency at the Joan Mitchell Center was an experience that exceeded my expectations on many levels. The connections and reconnections that I formed during my residency were numerous.”

LOUISE MOUTON JOHNSON, NEW ORLEANS

Studios at dusk - a modern siding-clad one-story building with four peaked studio roofs with warm light glowing from the skylights. — Joan Mitchell Center studio building.

About the Joan Mitchell Center

To complement its grant programs and deepen its relationships with artists, in 2015 the Foundation opened the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans to host both national and local artists in residencies. The Foundation’s decision to locate the residency program in New Orleans was, in part, a continuation of its commitment to the city’s creative community following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Center is a retreat for artists in a city rich with creative energy and cultural histories.

More About the Center