Alaska AIR - Bunnell Arts 2027-2028 Artist in Residence Program

The Alaska AIR artist residency program seeks international, US & Alaska artists to create new work and deeply engage Bunnell Street Arts Center’s community. 

Bunnell seeks artists to strengthen the social, physical & economic fabric of Homer through the arts by addressing pertinent themes. These may include accessibility, inclusion, sustainability, skills sharing, enhancing community well being, or strategies to build connection. 

Mediums include (but are not limited to) social & civic practice; ephemeral art; moving image; movement & dance; music composition & performance; and visual, literary or performing arts.

Alaska AIR residencies are generally scheduled for one month, October to April and provide $2000, travel, lodging, & studio/gallery space. There is a $25 application fee. (Needs-based waivers are available).

One to four fully-funded Alaska AIR residencies are awarded annually. Additional or partially-funded residencies may be awarded as funding and scheduling permit.

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Overview

Bunnell Street Arts Center's Alaska AIR residency program seeks international, US and Alaska artists looking to create new work and strengthen the social, physical and economic fabric of Homer through the arts. Residencies of generally one month are scheduled in fall, winter and spring months of 2027 and 2028. 

The Alaska AIR program selects artist residencies that strengthen Bunnell's community and address pertinent themes. These may include themes such as accessibility, inclusion, sustainability, stewardship, skills sharing and exchange, connection, joy, and enhancing community well-being. Community engagement strategies might include collective art-making, performances, Artist in Schools programs, workshops for general or specific audiences (i.e. seniors, youth, etc), or other artist-driven visions. 

Bunnell accepts artists working in mediums including (but not limited to) visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, social and civic practice, ephemeral art, moving image, movement and dance,  music composition and performance, and more.

About Bunnell Street Arts Center

A non-profit, multidisciplinary arts center located at Tuggeht (Dena’ina, at the shore), Bunnell Street Arts Center occupies Indigenous lands currently stewarded by Ninilchik Village Tribe. Since time immemorial, these lands have been home to the Dena’ina and Sugpiaq people living around Kachemak Bay. 

Bunnell is located in a historic Trading Post building in the rural community known as Homer, Alaska. Founded in 1991, Bunnell’s mission is to spark artistic inquiry, innovation, and equity to strengthen the physical, social and economic fabric of Alaska through the arts. Bunnell's programs include artist residencies, Artist in Schools, grants to artists, visual arts exhibits and an Alaska art gallery, performances and concerts of all kinds, public art projects, and inclusive community engagement. Bunnell has been a powerful force in shaping and connecting Alaska’s cultural landscape since 1991.

Learn more about Bunnell's work at www.bunnellarts.org.

Alaska AIR Applications and Jurying

Alaska AIR is a juried residency program. Applications are accepted September 1 to October 15. Applicants are notified by December 31. 

There is a $25 application fee. (Needs-based waivers are available. Please email adele@bunnellarts.org to request a waiver of application fees). 

The strongest Alaska AIR applications show a clear and unified body of work. The artist’s work and intentions are clearly represented and described. The project proposal is clear, specific, and demonstrates a strong community engagement component that seeks to strengthen the social, physical and economic fabric of Homer.

The Alaska AIR jury is comprised of prior artists in residence, community members, and Bunnell staff and board. 

One to four fully-funded Alaska AIR residencies are awarded annually. Additional or partially-funded residencies may be awarded as funding and scheduling permit. 

Residency information

Bunnell's Alaska AIR residencies are generally scheduled October through May during the Alaskan fall, winter, and spring months. 

A premier exhibition and performance space with historic charm, Bunnell's main floor doubles as an open studio for artists in residence. 

Lodging is generally a private room with a private bath, with a shared kitchen and living area located in the apartment upstairs from Bunnell Street Arts Center, or similar accommodations elsewhere in the Old Town neighborhood. 

Residency scheduling and program design is done in consultation with Bunnell's Artistic Director. 

Statistics

• Residency length: generally one month
• Average number of artists in residence at a time: 1-3
• Number of residencies in the most recent year: 12 (These include the Alaska AIR program alongside Bunnell's other residency programs).

Facilities & Services

• Studio information: The residency studio is Bunnell’s spacious 1000 sq foot main exhibition gallery, open to the public during regular gallery hours Monday-Saturday.
• Housing: Private bedroom with private bath in a shared apartment located above Bunnell Arts, or elsewhere in the Old Town neighborhood.
• Meals: occasional meals/food provided, shared kitchen; restaurants and grocery stores nearby (walking distance).
• Computer/internet access: Wireless Internet
• Studios/special equipment available: piano; sound system (mixer, monitors, mains, mics, cables); light board and theater lights; HD/3D video projector, HD video camera, darkroom (no enlarger), tripod; nipping press, small printing press; workshop furniture (tables, chairs); reception inventory (tables, chairs, bowls, cutlery, etc); office equipment. Bunnell also draws on its active and engaged community to meet artists' space, equipment, collaboration or other needs.
• Bicycle available for use. Occasional use of vehicles may be found.

Residency stipend and support

• $2000 stipend for 1 month residency (pro-rated if shorter)
• Round trip travel to Homer (up to $1000 value)
• Lodging in a private room with private bath, shared kitchen and living area in an apartment above the Arts Center or elsewhere in the Old Town neighborhood.
• $250 materials stipend

Additional expectations / opportunities

• Alaska AIR artists generally provide (1) an introductory artist talk or presentation, and (2) a community engagement component to strengthen the physical, social or economic fabric of the community through the arts. This may be collective art-making, an Artist in Schools program, a workshop, outreach to general or specific audiences (i.e. seniors, youth, etc), presentation of work in an installation, exhibit, performance, reading, or screening, or other artist-driven visions.

Bunnell Street Arts Center  • 106 W. Bunnell Ave. Homer, AK, 99603 • (907) 235-2662  • info@bunnellarts.org  •  www.bunnellarts.org  • @BunnellArts on FB / Instagram. 

Applications for Bunnell Street Arts Center's Alaska AIR program should include:

• An artist statement
• A statement of intent and residency proposal.
• Preferred months of residency and any special needs.
• A resume
• $25 application fee (Needs-based Waivers available)
• Work samples (see below)

Work samples will differ according to each artist's work. 

• Work samples** may be images, audio, video, or a combination thereof.
• Up to 5 work samples may be images.
• Up to 3 work samples may be audio. (Total audio time should be no more than 15 minutes)
• Up to 3 work samples may be video. (Total video time should be no more than 15 minutes)
• **Writers may include up to 10 pages of written work as a PDF.

**Please note, the Alaska AIR application on CaFE will require a minimum of 3 work samples of audio/video/image. Writers may submit .jpgs of pages, audio/video clips of readings, or other solutions to meet this requirement. 

• Open to International, US, and Alaska artists
• Application deadline: October 15 annually