2026 Ashland Artist Residency Program

Located in the heart of downtown Ashland Virginia, the Hanover Arts & Activities Center, in partnership with the Town of Ashland, invites artists working in various media to apply for a yearlong studio residency program through a juried selection process. The program provides affordable, professional studio space to local artists, with a portion of each artist's rent subsidized by the Town, allowing studios to be offered at a substantially reduced rate. Three to five artists will be selected for the 2026 program year depending on individual space needs.

The residency includes studio space at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, listing as a designated Arts & Culture Business in the Town of Ashland, waiver of the Town of Ashland BPOL license fee for the residency year, and eligibility to participate in Center-led exhibitions, workshops, and programs with opportunities for compensation. Artists must pay subsidized monthly rent of $200 for a shared studio or $300 for a solo studio, use the studio a minimum of 3 days per week with the majority of time allocated to artistic pursuits, and participate in public programs such as open studios and art shows.

Eligibility requires residency within 30 miles of the Town of Ashland (with special consideration for Town residents), age 18 or older, and eligibility to work in the United States. All disciplines are welcome. Selection is based on artistic merit and quality of submitted work samples, clarity of the artist's statement and proposed use of the studio, and demonstrated commitment to community engagement. Application requires a resume or CV, letter of interest, artist's statement, and 2-5 images of relevant work.