2027 Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program

The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program at Weir Farm National Historical Park (WEFA) selects artists to spend up to one month living and working at the park. Visual artists apply for residencies in all media and artistic points of view from traditional to experimental.

The Weir Farm National Historical Park (NHP) Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program continues the creative legacy of Julian Alden Weir by supporting contemporary artists whose work advances artistic dialogue and innovation. For more than 140 years, Weir Farm has inspired generations of artists and visitors, including over 250 artists who have participated in the residency program. The park’s enabling legislation underscores the importance of maintaining an active artistic presence, and the AIR Program is central to fulfilling that mandate.

Envisioned as a leading National Park Service residency program, the AIR Program reflects the values and character of Weir Farm NHP by fostering contemporary visual art practices that engage with and interpret the world in creative, experimental, and thought-provoking ways. By encouraging artistic exploration and the exchange of new ideas, the program sustains Weir’s spirit of innovation while enriching the experiences of artists, communities, and park visitors.

Visual artists apply for residencies in all media and artistic points of view from traditional to experimental. Artists are chosen through an annual call for applicants followed by a competitive jury process. The Weir Farm AIR Program hosts established or emerging visual artists who spend one month (May – October 2027) living and working at the park. Housing and studio space are provided. Artists will receive a stipend of$400 -- with $200 provided at the beginning of the residency, and $200 provided after the residency -- pending all requirements are completed, including filling out the feedback questionnaire.

The Weir Farm NHP AIR Program is supported by the Friends of Weir Farm NHP, the park's authorized philanthropic partner. For 2027, Friends of Weir Farm received a grant from the Connecticut-based business, Tauck, to support the AIR program.

Mission of the National Park Service:

The National Park Service (NPS) preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Housing & Studio:

The fully furnished residence sits in the middle of the 68-acre Weir Farm NHP and is one of the park’s many historic structures. The AIR Studio, located just a few steps from the residence, is a compatible new construction building built on the footprint of the former garage/barn. Constructed in 2010, it received the NPS Certificate of Honor Award and serves as a contemporary creative space for resident artists. Virtual tours of the AIR residence and studio are available here. Please note that while Weir Farm NHP is in a residential area, the site is very quiet and dark at night. We encourage selected candidates to prepare accordingly ahead of their residency, as resident artists must supply their own food, personal items, and art supplies. 

Selection Process & Criteria

A three-member jury of experts from the professional art world (e.g. academic professionals, museum curators, gallery owners/directors, professional artists, previous resident artists, etc.) are selected to review applications.

The panel of jurors will consider applications based on the following:

- The quality of work/artistic merit. Does the work foster experimentation, innovation, and relevance to a variety of audiences?

- Development of a well-defined, realistic project proposal. What is the likelihood that the artist will be able to successfully execute their work plan in the time given?

- The answer to the ‘Why Weir Farm’ question, with consideration of artists who articulate the importance of this location and how they expect to flourish in this environment, drawing on the unique opportunities that Weir Farm specifically provides.

- Commitment. Can the artist commit to the full residency (4 weeks), present their work at an Open Studio event, and participate in a video interview for the public which will be promoted by the Friends of Weir Farm?

Jurors will select a representative group of artists from a wide array of artistic mediums and perspectives. Strong submissions often include a well-written workplan, artist statement and recent work samples (from within the past two years). They clearly articulate what is exciting, different, interesting, or innovative about the artist’s process or work; demonstrate evidence of preliminary research and an understanding of Weir Farm, the park’s history, and/or the trajectory of American art; address compelling or relevant topics; and present a well-thought-out plan that still allows room for flexibility and innovation.

When Will I Be Notified of a Decision?

All Applicants will be notified whether they are selected, or not selected, by mid-March 2027.

Artist Expectations and Requirements:

- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

- Age 25+ at submission of application

- Graduate Student, Emerging Artist, and/or Professional Artist

- Apply as one individual, as only one person can be in residency at a time. Couples, collectives, etc. will not be considered.

- Ability to speak and read English at a conversational level.

- Artists may reapply to the program in the tenth year after their most recent residency. Artists who participated in a residency between 2017 and 2026 are not eligible to apply for the 2027 cohort.

- Willingness to engage with the park and art community while in residence. This includes participating in the following events:

 - Welcome Event - Artists are required to attend one welcome event, which isa small meet-and-greet event with park staff and partners held at the start of each residency and organized by the Friends of Weir Farm.

o Open Studio: Meet The Artist Event – Artists are required to provide one public program during their residency: a public Open Studio organized by the Friends of Weir Farm. This program will be scheduled by park staff and will take place the last Saturday of your residency. It is an opportunity to share your work and a bit about your experience with the public in the studio space.

- Willingness to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement Form and adhere to all park polices for the duration of the residency. A handbook with detailed polices, rules, and restrictions will be provided.

- Ability to send 3-5 images of work to the park mid-residency to be shared on  social media.

- Submission of a digital representation of the work created during the residency. Artists must provide a short PowerPoint presentation about their experience and art created during the residency to the park, as well as participate in a Zoom interview which will be recorded, edited, and promoted to the public through the Friends of Weir Farm website and social media channels.

- Completion of a post-residency feedback questionnaire.

- A dedicated commitment to living in the park for the full 4-week residency (applicants requesting a shortened residency will be removed from consideration).

- Completion of the necessary paperwork, including submission of a headshot and bio upon acceptance of the residency.

For more information about the Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program, click here.

Limitations

- Projects that plan for outdoor installations or projects that may negatively impact Weir Farm’s natural and cultural resources will not be considered. Weir Farm NHP does not allow any temporary or permanent installations on-site that would impact the historic landscape.

- The use of toxic chemicals or hazardous materials is prohibited.

- Collection of natural materials is not permitted on Federal land which includes all areas of Weir Farm NHP. Naturals may include, but are not limited to, leaves, bark, mushrooms, wildflowers, grasses, stones, dirt, nuts, fruits, and seeds. Collection of natural materials may be permitted from within the neighboring Weir Preserve with permission.

- Selling artwork on Federal land is prohibited.

- No overnight guests or pets.

- No smoking.

- No kiln of any type nor firing is permitted on park property. The park does not have a kiln.

- Any project proposals that include the use of open flame, fire, or burning will be removed from consideration. Open flame of any kind is not permitted on-site.

- Artists may schedule a time with park staff to take photographs inside the historic buildings to use as inspiration. However, artists will not be permitted to handle any archives or museum objects, or use them as part of their artistic process during the residency. The park has images and scans of collections and archives that can be shared upon request.

Applicants may apply in any of the following visual art media:

Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Fiber Art, Mixed Media

Weir Farm NHP encourages applications from artists representing a wide range of perspectives and media (e.g., painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, fiber art, mixed media). Graduate & doctoral students, and emerging and professional artists aged 25+ at the time of application may apply. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.