The Core Program awards artist and critical studies residencies to highly motivated, emerging visual artists and critical writers who have completed their academic training but have not yet fully developed a professional career.

Established in 1982 within the Glassell School of Art of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Core artist residencies encourage intensive and innovative studio practice as well as the elaboration of an intellectual framework to understand that practice. In 1998, the Core critical studies residencies were established to provide an opportunity for writers to pursue independent curatorial and writing projects and to promote the discourse necessary for both artists and critics to sustain their practices. Throughout the year, residents engage in ongoing dialogue with each other and meet with pre-eminent artists, critics, curators and art historians.

Each artist-resident is given approximately 450 square feet of private studio space, 24-hour access to school facilities and equipment, and a $10,000 annual stipend. In 1998, the program added critical studies residencies. These residencies also include a $10,000 annual stipend and access to facilities, including borrowing privileges at the museum’s Hirsch Library and the Fondren Library at nearby Rice University. The program runs on an academic calendar, from September through May. Toward the end of each year, the artist residents mount a group show in the school’s main gallery, and the critical studies residents prepare essays summarizing aspects of their independent research. These essays, as well as documentation of the resident artists’ work, are gathered in a published catalogue.

The residency term is nine months, from September to May, and is renewable for a second term.

For application instructions, please visit http://www.core.mfah.org.

The Core Program
Artist and Critical Studies Residencies
Call for Applications
Deadline: 1 April 2009