Orr Street Studios recognizes that Black and minority artists are underrepresented in the art world, and that dedicated studio space is key for developing an artistic practice.
By implementing this residency, Orr Street Studios seeks to make the valuable resource of studio space more readily available to Black and minority artists in the Columbia, Missouri
area.
As a member of the artistic community in Columbia, this is a tangible step Orr Street Studios can take to make the Mid-Missouri art community more inclusive and make valuable resources available to artists who may not feel welcome or represented in the local art scene.
The Artists in Residence Program (referred to as The AIR Program) offers studio space for 11.5 months to either four black artists or to three black artists and one artist from a another underrepresented minority group working in Columbia, MO or the surrounding area, all who have financial need.
This residency is meant to support both emerging and established artists whose practice could benefit from dedicated studio space.
Artists in Residence will receive Rent-free studio space at Orr Street Studios from Sept. 1, 2026 to Aug. 15, 2027 (Studio spaces are approximately 144 square feet), a one-time $250 stipend and a one-year membership to Columbia Art League.
The residency culminates in a group exhibition of current resident artists’ work in the Orr Street Gallery during the month of July 2027.
The Orr Street Studios Artist in Residence program is made possible by a generous donation from Veterans United Foundation. This gift has a tremendous impact on the lives of the recipients and the entire community here at Orr Street Studios.
- Please reading review these guidelines before submitting: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bcL2itwHkYb6LtVibNlkp7P5Gq5ZF8-5/view?usp=sharing
Interested in applying for our 2026-2027 program?
- Applicants need to email the following to director@orrstreetstudos.com
1. A brief artist’s statement.
2. A paragraph to explain the applicant’s goals, intent and what they hope
to achieve with a dedicated studio space, including how much they will be
at the studio creating art.
3. An digital portfolio of six to eight pieces (saved as jpegs, 72dpi) that show the applicant’s current
direction.
4. Statement of Financial Need.
5. Must submit all application materials by June 30, 2026.
After viewing application materials, the committee will select applicants to
participate in an in-person interview in early July 2026. The artists selected
will be chosen without preference over gender, national or ethnic origin,
age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or gender expression.