PlatteForum 2025/2026 Resident Artist Application

PlatteForum has been serving artists, youth, families, and the Denver community since 2002. The organization hosts an award-winning youth development program, a world-class Resident Artist program, and other arts education and community engagement programs. PlatteForum's innovative model teams youth with professional artists in learning laboratory settings to build meaningful connections and collaborate on creative projects, while supporting participants with wrap-around resources including mental health support, groceries, stipends, transportation assistance, and arts and technology supplies.

The Resident Artist program is competitive with over 100 applications and only 4-5 slots awarded each year. Residencies last 6-8 weeks and are scheduled as follows: Resident Artist 1 (Sept-Nov 2025), Resident Artist 2 (Jan-March 2026), Resident Artist 3 (March-May 2026), and Resident Artist 4 (June-July 2026). The program is open to artists in all genres and disciplines, including established professional artists, emerging artists, and graduate students. Local, national, and international artists are encouraged to apply. Former Resident Artists may apply again after a three-year waiting period.

Resident Artists receive a working stipend of $350/week and a materials stipend of up to $750, plus private studio and gallery space, artist housing for out-of-town artists, and staff support for exhibition creation, marketing, installation, and coordination. Professional documentation of the culminating exhibition or performance is provided. PlatteForum offers an additional $250 for participation in the ArtMoves Podcast and Artist Conversations series, and a $200 stipend for pre-residency workshop curriculum planning. Resident artists have 24-hour access to studio and gallery space with wireless internet and printers available. There are no residency fees.

Resident Artists dedicate 4-6 hours each week to work with high school-aged youth from historically marginalized communities in intensive workshops. In collaboration with PlatteForum staff, the Resident Artist creates, organizes, and facilitates a series of youth workshops on Saturdays at the ArtLab program. Each residency culminates in a public exhibition or performance where the work and ideas of the Resident Artist and youth are presented together. Artists will be notified of acceptance no later than June 1st, 2025. Application requirements include an artist statement (1000 character limit), a residency statement describing the work and social justice topics to be addressed (1000 character limit), a resume/CV, and 8-10 work samples. The entry fee is $35.