Call for Artists: 2026–2027 Artist-in-Residence Program

We invite applications from visual artists, performing artists, writers, musicians, theater makers, dance artists, poets, and multidisciplinary collectives for our 2026–2027 Artist-in-Residence program. Residency honorarium: $30,000.00

About the Residency
The Alamo Colleges District Artist-in-Residence program supports artists whose work engages communities, inspires learning, and expands artistic experiences for students across disciplines. Residents will create new work while participating in a collaborative educational environment.

Residency Expectations
Proposed residency activities, public programming, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and creative works developed during the residency should align with the mission, values, strategic priorities, and Moonshot commitment of the Alamo Colleges District while supporting student success, belonging, and community engagement.

Selected artists will:
● Develop a new body of work or performance project during the residency.
● Offer workshops or masterclasses sharing their artistic process at our 6 campuses.
● Present public programming (performance, exhibition, reading, or artist talk).
● Engage students from diverse academic areas, not solely arts majors.
● Provide a statement describing how their project connects to higher education and student learning.
● Contribute a legacy element such as donated artwork, digital documentation, or collaborative project outcome.
Optional opportunities include:
● Curating a student exhibition or performance showcase.
● Participating in a traveling exhibition/performance across campuses.
● Hosting virtual or hybrid talks for broader student access.

Who Should Apply
We welcome:
● Emerging and established artists.
● Individual artists and artist collectives.
● Artists committed to community engagement and educational collaboration.
● Artists from the Texas Commission on the Arts roster (encouraged but not required).

Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
● Artistic quality and innovation.
● The relevance and impact of their work within the Alamo Colleges District service area, including engagement with and benefit to the local community.
● Potential for interdisciplinary engagement.
● Feasibility of proposed residency activities.

Application Materials

• Residency Application (see “Artist-in-Residence Application Requirements” below) addressing how they plan to fulfill all “Residency Expectations”.
• Portfolio (images, video, writing, or any other form of documentation that details and showcases the artist’s or artist collective’s scope of work)
• Two letters of recommendation from arts professionals and community leaders who can speak to the caliber of art, artistic creativity and innovation, and

Artist-in-Residence Application Requirements

1. Artist Information
   ● Full name
   ● Artistic discipline(s)
   ● Organization or collective name (if applicable)
   ● Website/social media/portfolio links
   ● City and state of residence
   ● Contact information
2. Artist Biography
   Length: 200–300 words
   A short professional biography describing:
   ● Artistic practice
   ● Career highlights
   ● Community or educational engagement experience
   ● Relevant exhibitions, performances, publications, or collaborations
3. Artist Statement
   Length: 500–750 words
   Applicants describe:
   ● Their artistic philosophy and practice
   ● Themes explored in their work
   ● Why they are interested in the residency
   ● How their work connects to students, learning, or community engagement
   This statement should help reviewers understand both the artist’s work and their approach to collaboration and education.
4. Residency Proposal
   Length: 1–3 pages
   The core project proposal should include:
   Project Description
   ● What the artist plans to create, develop, perform, research, or facilitate during the residency.
   Student & Community Engagement
   ● Workshops, performances, talks, collaborations, rehearsals, readings, demonstrations, or participatory activities.
   Academic Integration
   ● How the project could connect to coursework, disciplines, or student learning experiences.
   Legacy Component
   ● Proposed contribution such as:
   ○ Donated artwork
   ○ Documentation
   ○ Student showcase
   ○ Public archive
   ○ Performance recording
   ○ Collaborative project outcome
   Space/Technical Needs
   ● Studio, rehearsal, gallery, AV, performance, or installation requirements.
   The Alamo Colleges District reserves the opportunity to provide collaborative input and guidance regarding residency activities, public engagement components, and to approve the final development and/or presentation of creative work produced through the residency to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, educational goals, and community standards.
   Residency activities and creative projects should reflect and uphold the educational mission, institutional values, and public-serving responsibilities of the Alamo Colleges District while remaining consistent with applicable state and federal statutes, policies, and college procedures.
5. Work Samples
   Tailored by discipline.
   Visual Artists
   ● 10–15 images of recent work
   ● Optional exhibition documentation
   Performing Artists
   ● 3–5 video excerpts or performance recordings
   Literary Artists/Poets
   ● 5–10 pages of writing
   ● Audio/video readings
   Musicians/Composers
   ● Audio recordings and/or live performance videos
   Multidisciplinary Artists
   ● Combination of media samples
   Applicants should include:
   ● Title
   ● Medium
   ● Date
   ● Brief description/context
6. Workshop or Engagement Proposal
   Length: 1 page or less
   Describe:
   ● Potential workshops, classes, or public engagement activities
   ● Intended audience
   ● Learning goals or outcomes
   ● Format (interactive, lecture-demo, collaborative, etc.)
   This helps assess teaching and facilitation capacity.
7. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
   Include:
   ● Education/training
   ● Exhibitions/performances/publications
   ● Residencies
   ● Teaching/community engagement experience
   ● Awards/grants
8. References
   Typically 2–3 professional references.
9. Access & Accessibility Statement
   Applicants should describe:
   ● How they create accessible artistic experiences
   ● Approaches to working with diverse communities and learners
10. Collective/Collaborative Statement
    For ensembles or collectives:
    ● Describe collaborative structure
    ● Roles of members and shared artistic vision
    All completed applications must be submitted by August 1, 2026, to:
    Dr. Eric Castillo, Associate Vice Chancellor for Arts, Culture, and Community Impact
    Alamo Community Colleges District
    Submit application and/or questions to: Ecastillo34@alamo.edu

Deadline: 08/01/26
Location: San Antonio Texas
Website: https://www.alamo.edu/about-us/offices-departments/departments/arts-culture-community

For a limited time, Sunspot Lit is calling for single works of novella-length fiction or nonfiction in any category, including memoir, literary, genre, and historical. Open July 1 through July 31. See guidelines and submission form, along with the journal’s other open calls (including art), here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.

Deadline: 07/31/26
Location: Online
Website: http://www.SunspotLit.com

Call for Artists: Sims Bayou Trailheads Public Art Commission, Houston ($14,000)
UP Art Studio and the South Post Oak Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 9) invite artists to a paid Open Call to transform four concrete trailhead structures at Buffalo Speedway and Sims Bayou into a welcoming gateway to the regional trail network in southwest Houston.

Commission: The selected artist or team receives a $14,000 all-inclusive fee. Materials, surface preparation, lift and equipment, traffic control, public safety, and a protective clear coat are covered separately by the project. Three shortlisted artists each receive a $500 stipend for concept development.

Who should apply: Houston-area and regional artists are especially encouraged. Brush experience is preferred; prior experience with mineral paint is not required, and technical guidance is provided. Artists with ties to the Five Corners, Hiram Clarke, and South Houston communities will receive special consideration.

How to apply: Submit through the application portal at https://form.jotform.com/261377886267171 by 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Info sessions (virtual): Monday, June 15, 2026, 12 to 1 PM and 6 to 7 PM CST. Register at https://form.jotform.com/261527874415160.

Questions: info@upartstudio.org

Deadline: 07/01/26
Location: Houston, TX
Website: https://form.jotform.com/261377886267171