2026 Postmark Center for the Arts Artist in Residence - Auburn, WA

The Postmark Artist in Residence (P.A.I.R.) is a new program offering an opportunity for an artist to pursue their work in and engage with the arts community in the unique setting of the Postmark Center for the Arts in Auburn, Washington. 

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY
The Postmark Artist in Residence (P.A.I.R.) is a new program offering an opportunity for an artist to pursue their work in and engage with the arts community in the unique setting of the Postmark Center for the Arts in Auburn, Washington. The residency lasts two months during July and August 2026.

The residency will provide:

• A $3,500 stipend (funds can be used at will towards art supplies, transportation, meals, etc.)
• A studio space, approximately 162 SQFT , located within the historic Postmark property. HOUSING ACCOMODATION NOT PROVIDED.
• Opportunities to tour the White River Valley Museum, Mary Olson Farm, and local public art sites.
• An exhibition at Postmark’s Vault Gallery from January 15, 2027 – April 9, 2027, including a reception and well-publicized artist talk (other accommodations can be made based on scope and interest).
• Access to Postmark’s new art studios, including: tools and equipment for printmaking, small-scale metal work, and glass kiln fusing/casting.

Expectations of the selected artist include:

• A minimum of ten hours per week for the duration of the residency creating work on-site at the Postmark studio space during Postmark open hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and select Saturdays.
• Two free “open studio” afternoons for the public to view works in progress and talk with the artist (dates discussed between selected artist and city staff, ideally Second Saturdays)
• One free artist-led workshop demonstrating techniques or inspiration to the public. This could be an art activity, workshop, demonstration, or similar.
• Participation in a final artist talk/presentation, reception, and exhibition.
• Artists provide their own art supplies, equipment, and transportation to and from Postmark Center for the Arts in Auburn, Washington.

ABOUT THE VAULT GALLERY  

The Vault Gallery is located within the Postmark Center for the Arts and is approximately 67 SQFT with a ceiling height of 7’2”. Ceiling is equipped with 2 lighting tracks that hold 7 adjustable lights. Walls are composed of plywood backed drywall. The space is suited for installation as well as traditional 2-D & 3-D works.

ABOUT THE STUDIO SPACE

The studio space located within Postmark is approximately 162 SQFT. It is fully viewable from the main gallery via glass walls and sliding doors. The studio is equipped with a large butcher block table, durable countertop, sink, undercounter storage cabinets, drawers, lockable storage closet, tv monitor, power outlets, and adjustable lighting. The Artist will transform this space into a working studio for visitors and community members to observe during residency. The artist will also have access to Postmark’s new art studios, including: to tools and equipment for printmaking, small-scale metal work, and glass kiln fusing/casting.

ELIGIBILITY

Any individual artist in Washington State working in two or three-dimensional media are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to: drawing, painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, installation, woodworking, printmaking, etc.

BIPOC artists are encouraged to apply.

Past participants of the Mary Olson Farm A.I.R. are welcome to apply.

SELECTION CRITERIA & PROCESS
The review process will be competitive, and the selection process will be made by a jury including the City of Auburn Arts Program Supervisor, City of Auburn staff, and a panel of local artists or arts professionals.

All applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence as demonstrated in work samples.
• Artist’s Letter of Interest: strength, creativity and originality in installation concept, material implementation, and engagement level with community.
• Feasibility of artist’s ability to create innovative work during the residency, commit to the minimum 10 hours per week of active studio time, participate actively in all expected open studio days, artist talks, public workshop, and final exhibition.

PROCESS 
Phase One

• Submit application by deadline of 10:59 PM Pacific Time on Thursday, March 19th, 2026.
• Applications will be reviewed by the jury and finalists will be selected.
• Finalists notified of results by Friday, March 27th, 2026. Finalists move on to phase two.

Phase Two

• Finalists will be invited to interview with city staff on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 between 8am-12 pm to discuss proposed project in more depth.
• Final selection and artist notification by Friday, April 3rd, 2026.

Phase Three

• Selected artist receives contract, and coordinates dates of residency events/workshops.
• Artist participates in residency starting July 8, 2026 and ending August 28, 2026. Two open weekend studio afternoons and one free public workshop must take place during this time.
• A final art exhibition, reception and artist talk/presentation will be scheduled for January 15, 2027 – April 9, 2027.

ABOUT THE POSTMARK    

The historic Auburn Post Office was built in 1937 and functioned as such until the 1960’s, when it was then purchased by King County and was used as a medical center for over four decades. In the year 2000, the Post Office was listed on the King County Landmarks Register, the Washington State Heritage Register, and the National Register of Historic Places. Its closure in 2009 left the building unoccupied, with room to be reimagined by the community. The City of Auburn purchased the building in 2016, with a vision for the future: Postmark Center for the Arts. With the goal to make the economic, educational, cultural, and civic benefits of the arts available to all communities by broadening public access to the arts in Auburn. The Postmark officially opened in September of 2023.

SELECTED PARTICIPANTS MUST AGREE TO

• Sign agreement with the City of Auburn about residency plans, expectations and guidelines.
• Leave the space in the same or better condition as when they moved in.
• Understand that the residency stipend will be paid in four phases: an initial $500 payment upon signing of contract; $1,000 paid at beginning of residency; and $1,000 paid upon the completion of the residency. The remaining $1,000 will be retained until all of the expected residency requirements are completed, including the final exhibition installation, reception, and deinstallation.
• Understand that the artwork created must be appropriate for general all-ages public viewing.
• Install and de-install artwork for the final exhibition.
• Partner with the City of Auburn to market and promote the program and exhibition. The program and exhibition will be publicized through city-generated press releases, printed materials, social media, and the City’s web site at www.auburnwa.gov/arts.
• The artist agrees to make available their photos, or photos taken of them, during the residency, for use by the City of Auburn to promote the program.
• The selected artist must agree to participate in the entire residency program including all events, the final exhibition, etc. No exceptions.
• Artists are welcome to have visitors during the residency, but should not interfere with the completion of the time required of the residency.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
• No pets or children are allowed during working studio time.

QUESTIONS & MORE INFORMATION
Contact:
Allison Hyde
City of Auburn Arts Program Supervisor
ahyde@auburnwa.gov 
253.804.5043

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

1. WORK SAMPLES

5-10 digital images that demonstrate the artist’s past work (required)
Individual artists are advised to submit 10 images.

• File Format: Submit according to CaFE requirements with the highest resolution allowed.
• File Labeling: Files must be titled with the applicant’s last name followed by a number indicating the viewing order. Use a “0” in front of single digit numbers and use only letters, numbers, and underscores. For example: Smith_01.jpg; Smith_02.jpg. If using Mac OS 8 or later, be sure to include a “.jpg” extension at the end of each image title.

1 video that demonstrate the artist’s past work (optional)
The panel will view a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 3 minutes of each video.

2. WORK SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS
Provide the following information on the online application upload for each image:

• Title of each work represented in the image
• Media & dimensions (H x W x D)
• Description if needed. If work is presented as part of a collaboration, explain your role in the larger project

3. LETTER OF INTEREST
The Letter of Interest should include: a brief personal statement or artist background, a project description that explains how the residency opportunity will advance the artist's practice, artistic goals, materials, concepts, community engagement plans, and anticipated outcomes for final exhibition if selected for the opportunity. Work(s) will be displayed as part of the final exhibition in the Vault gallery. Applicants should use the Letter of Interest to provide the selection committee with an idea of the artwork that would be created and why the opportunity would be most influential to this stage of your art practice.

Upload as a PDF, 500 words/3000 characters or less, name your residency proposal file as follows: “Last Name_ Letter of Interest.pdf” 

To get an idea of what kind of experience you can expect at the Postmark Artist in Residence, we welcome interested artists to make an appointment or come visit the building during open hours to see the Vault and meet with Postmark staff.

4. ARTIST STATEMENT (required)
Provide us with a brief artist statement to give us a sense of your work, inspiration, materials or techniques. Feel free to describe your work overall, or describe a past project or body of work.

• Upload as a PDF
• 500 words/3000 characters or less
• Name your artist statement file as follows: “Last Name_ Artist Statement.pdf”

5. ARTIST RESUME/CV (optional)
Provide information which may include: education, exhibition record, awards, residencies, visiting artist lectures, relevant work experience or training, publications, etc. If submitting as a group, a current resume should be submitted for the contact person and all group members.

• Upload as a PDF
• 3 pages or less
• Name your resume file as follows: “Last Name_ Resume.pdf”

ELIGIBILITY

• Any individual artist in Washington State working in two or three-dimensional media are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to: drawing, painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, installation, woodworking, printmaking, digital art, mixed media, etc.
• BIPOC artists are encouraged to apply.
• Past participants of the Mary Olson Farm A.I.R. are welcome to apply.
• Artists must be 18 years of age at the time of contracting.