2027 Fall Artist in Residence at Hudson Gardens Application

Presented by the South Suburban Public Art Committee, the Artist in Residence at Hudson Gardens provides artists with dedicated time and space to develop their work while engaging with the public in a unique garden setting. The selected artist will work in a light-filled studio space at Hudson Gardens in Littleton, Colorado, balance independent creative practice with public interaction, present a public engagement activity, and participate in a closing reception. A stipend of $1,100 will be provided upon successful completion of the residency.

Presented by the South Suburban Public Art Committee, the Artist in Residence at Hudson Gardens program supports creative exploration while fostering meaningful connections between artists and the community. The residency provides dedicated time and space for artists to develop their practice while engaging visitors through open studio experiences and artist-led public programming.

The residency takes place at Hudson Gardens in Littleton, Colorado, a unique destination known for its gardens, natural beauty, walking paths, wildlife, and year-round visitors. Surrounded by seasonal landscapes and diverse plant collections, artists have the opportunity to create work in an inspiring environment while sharing their process with a broad audience of community members, families, students, and visitors.

Artists work in the Pavilion at Hudson Gardens, a large, light-filled, climate-controlled space equipped with tables, chairs, and access to water and electricity. The Pavilion offers a flexible environment well suited for many visual art practices, mixed-media projects, community-based work, and educational activities.

Because the residency is intentionally public-facing, artists should be comfortable creating work while visitors observe, ask questions, and engage with the creative process. The space is best suited for practices that can safely function in an open studio environment.

While applications are accepted from artists working in all disciplines, the Pavilion is not suitable for projects requiring large-scale fabrication, heavy machinery, extensive ventilation systems, significant dust production, hazardous materials, open flames, or specialized industrial equipment.

Ceramic Artists

Wheel-thrown ceramics are not suitable for the Pavilion environment. However, artists interested in hand-building may create small-scale ceramic work during the residency. Firing opportunities may be available through a nearby recreation center, with transportation coordinated by either the artist or program staff. Artists considering this option should be comfortable planning their projects around off-site firing schedules.

Residency Expectations

The residency is designed to balance independent studio practice with meaningful public engagement. Artists will be expected to:

• Be present on-site during scheduled residency hours. Times listed are approximate.
  • Monday Load-in during business hours (time TBD by artist)
    • Tuesday - Friday (times are approximate)
      • 9am-12pm Closed Studio
      • 1pm-4pm Open Studio
    • Saturday 11am-5pm (including reception)
• Develop and present at least one public engagement activity, workshop, demonstration, artist talk, or interactive experience. Public engagement activities should be welcoming and accessible. Artists are encouraged to develop programming that reflects their unique artistic practice while creating opportunities for meaningful community participation.
• Confirm details of proposed activity within three days of acceptance notice.
• Interact professionally with visitors and staff.

Stipend and Support

• The selected artist will receive a stipend of $1,100, payable upon successful completion of the residency and fulfillment of all residency requirements.
• Supplies used by public engagement participants will be covered up to $200.
• Lodging and accommodation are not provided. Artists are responsible for their own transportation, materials, equipment, meals, and other expenses related to residency participation.
• An onsite and a program liaison will be assigned to each residency to help the artist with all the details of the residency including the coordination of the public engagement activity and all marketing.

Selection Process

One artist will be selected for each Spring and Fall residency through a competitive application process administered by the South Suburban Public Art Committee.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic merit and quality of work.
• Alignment with Hudson Gardens and the residency environment.
• Quality and accessibility of the proposed public engagement activity.
• Feasibility of the proposed project within the residency timeframe, available resources, and studio setting.

Applicants must submit a complete application including:

1. Artist Statement

2. Residency Goals

3. Location Fit and Project Feasibility

4. Public Engagement Proposal 

5. Resume or curriculum vitae (correctly formatted maximum 2mb).

6. 8-12 correctly labeled and formatted images of completed artwork created within the last five years.

• Open to artists age 18 and older.
• Open to artists working in all visual art mediums and disciplines.
• Individual artists only. Teams, collectives, organizations, and commercial entities are not eligible.
• Artists must be able to complete all residency requirements, including on-site work sessions, public engagement activities, and participation in the closing reception.
• Artists must be able to safely work within the limitations of the Pavilion space.
• Artists from Colorado and beyond are encouraged to apply; however, lodging is not provided.