2024 Camera Obscura Art Lab Studio Residency

Santa Monica Cultural Affairs seeks proposals from visual, digital and performing artists living in Los Angeles County for a fourteen-week studio residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab in Palisades Park, Santa Monica. The Studio Residency Program offers artists a glass-walled studio with ocean views in an iconic midcentury park building overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, four blocks from the Expo line terminus. All disciplines and mediums are considered.

Three fourteen-week terms are available: February 1 - May 9, 2024; May 16 - August 22, 2024; and August 29 - December 12, 2024. The selection panel will select either two individual artists, one collective, or a combination to share the 46'x16' dividable studio space for each period. An honorarium of $2,500 and use of the facility is offered to successful applicants. Studio access is 8:00am-10:00pm M-F and 9:30am-10:00pm Sat-Sun. Resident artists must present at least four participatory workshops for the public and a final presentation, utilize the studio at least three times per week, and be available to teach on weekends. Equipment provided includes tables, chairs, whiteboard, video projector/screen, relief printing press, craft equipment, electricity, free Wi-Fi, and kitchen access. Parking is not guaranteed but a permit is available during the day; a paid garage is two blocks away.

Eligibility is open to all artists, artisans and makers residing in Los Angeles County, including artist teams and MFA students in their final year. Applicants who have received a Santa Monica Artist Residency or Fellowship in the past two years, are current grantees or resident artists through another City program, or are employed by or serve on a Board or Commission of the City are not eligible. Selection is based on quality of previous work, proposed residency plan, ability to design and implement effective interactive classes and workshops, and suitability of practice for the space. Notification of selected residents will take place mid-December 2023.