• Two residents will be selected for each residency cycle.

• One-year residency

• Private studio space: A designated 700 sq. ft. studio located across the street from the CXLA gallery. 

• A stipend to support project costs and participation, amount is subject to funding availability. The 2026/2027 stipend was $5,000 per artist.

• Development of fundamentals of community based theoretical and arts leadership through monthly Beauty Salon workshops. 

• Community-engagement guidance from both CXLA and Transformation Arts

• Professional and curatorial support: Ongoing curatorial, administrative

• Community access: Connection to CXLA and Transformation Arts’ community networks, cross-disciplinary partnerships, and equity-centered programming. 

• Public-facing opportunities: Opportunities to host workshops, public programs, or other forms of community engagement .

• Culminating presentation: At the conclusion of the residency, each resident will present a final exhibition or public presentation supported by both organizations

• A well-developed body of work and sustained commitment to practice (typically reflected through 5+years of active work)

• A demonstrated exhibition or public presentation history (regional, national, and/or international)

• Documented experiences with community-based work, including collaborative or participatory projects

• Have familiarity with the cultural history and local issues of the neighborhood they propose to work within

• Participation in the MidCity Arts & Music Festival (date TBD)

The below is a sample from our 2026/2027 application. Application requirements for the 2027/2028 residency are subject to change and will be updated to reflect annual residency goals.

• Applicant Information
  
  Full Name, Pronouns (optional)

  Contact Information (Email, Phone Number, Website, Social Media)

  City of Residence
  
  

  CV / Resume
  
  (3 pages max) - Exhibition history/ Community-engaged projects/ Awards, residencies, or fellowships/ Teaching, mentoring, or facilitation experience (if relevant)/ Collaborations with nonprofit, cultural, educational, or community organizations
  

  Narrative Response
  
  

• Artist Statement (250-300) - Discuss your artistic practice with an emphasis on:

• Core themes

• How your work engages or partners with communities

• How your artistic practice has evolved to address social or cultural contexts

• Why this residency aligns with your current trajectory as a mid-career artist

• How this opportunity contributes to or expands upon your existing community-based artistic practice

  
  
  Work Samples
  
  

• Files types required PDF, hyperlink, .mov

• All applicants must submit a portfolio of work consisting of a maximum of 20 still images. Applicants will be asked to provide the title, year, medium, and size for each artwork.

• Applicants submitting images documenting installation, performance, and project-based work should include a link to the work as well as a brief description.

• Documentation of community-engaged projects, workshops, or collaborative practices

Residency call closed, next call to be announced in early 2027