For Applicants
2026 RAIR Open Call applications open August 1st 2025. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on instagram for residency news and updates. We are excited to announce our jurors for this years open call will be Kristen Neville Taylor, Sunanda Ghosh, and Anne Ishii. Click here to read more about this years Jurors!
Ang Li, 2019 Open Call resident
RAIR RESIDENCIES
RAIR has 2 residency programs: THE STANDARD RESIDENCY and THE BIGGIE SHORTIE. Both are given access to Revolution Recovery’s waste stream as well as access to RAIR’s staff- who work closely with all residents.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO REGISTER FOR A IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE SITE BEFORE APPLYING AND CRAFTING A PROPOSAL. It is important to understand the nature and operation of the recycling facility to craft a feasible project proposal. Tour dates will be available on August 1st. Q&A’s will occur at the end of each tour provided. If you cannot make the scheduled tour dates, you can still watch a recording of a previous tour here.
THE BIGGIE SHORTIE:
a shorter length, project based residency that takes place mainly on weekends typically outside of the recycling facilities operating hours. The flexible nature of Biggie Shorties allow for proposed projects to be customized to fit each residency. This residency is good for artist with commitments during the weeks and can only be present at RAIR during the weekends.
Duration:
2-4 Weekends
March- November
Working hours
Weekends 9am-9pm*
*additional site visits and/or material collecting visits may be scheduled
Shop / studio access:
Partial access to project space tools and equipment. Some ability to store materials onsite. No private studio.
Professional Benefits:
Assistance with project documentation
Studio visits and interviews Open studio event, on-site or off-site exhibition
Opportunities for public programming, workshops, talks, screenings, etc.
THE STANDARD RESIDENCY:
a longer, more traditional studio based program. Standard residents are given access to waste materials and a studio and project space during the week and weekends. This residency is good for people who want to dedicate 4-6 full weeks to their project and studio practice as RAIR.
Duration:
4-6 Weeks
March- November
Working hours:
*minimum of 20 hours per week
Weekdays 7am-5:30pm*
Weekends 9am-4pm*
*additional hours can be scheduled if needed
Shop / studio access:
Full access to shop, project space and private studio.
Professional Benefits:
Assistance with project documentation
Studio visits and interviews Open studio event, on-site or off-site exhibition
Opportunities for public programming, workshops, talks, screenings, etc.
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR 2026
Applications are open from Thursday, August 1 until Monday, September 30 at 11:59 pm EST. Applicants will be notified in January 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
Residencies are open to all emerging and mid career artists based nationally and internationally. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and not be actively enrolled in a college or university program during the time of residency.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
10 WORK SAMPLES: images or video *refer to submittable application for file specifications
PROJECT PROPOSAL: max 500 words
REFERENCES: 3 names and contact information of people who can speak to the rigor of your work
RESUME/CV
SUBMISSION FEE: $25