Deepen your creative practice as an Artist in Residence at The Factory on Willow
A 12-week non profit program designed to bring new emerging and amateur artists from around the world to Manchester, NH. Our program fosters an environment that allows creative freedom to explore, define, and polish your working portfolio. Apply Here
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“The residency offered me so much more than I could have ever expected. The AiR program is connected to a truly supportive and enthusiastic team, enabling me to feel both encouraged and equipped throughout my whole experience. There is also an active community of creatives throughout the city of Manchester too, and these connections, alongside those I made directly through the residency program offered me so much.
Amira Hasoon, Fall 2022
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“The residency connections formed the conceptual basis for my final work, and created lasting professional relationships which will stretch out into the future. I have been in contact with ARMI about possible international projects in London and Seoul, and the article about my work in NH Magazine will be released sometime this month. In my experience, it is specifically these types of networking opportunities which further an artists' career.”
Alexander Augustus, Winter 2022
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![Manny "Phelany" Ramirez]()
“Being chosen to take part of the AiR program was a blessing!, I didn’t know how bad I needed to be immersed in my art. The opportunity led me to realize my true strengths and weaknesses. I learned how to stay true to myself and my artistry with every challenge that arose. I think every artist, sorely needs a program like this no matter what level in their career they’re in.”
.Manny “Phelany” Ramirez, Fall 2021
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![Cecelia Ulibari]()
“The Artist in Residence program at the Factory is truly one of transformation. The AiR team is fully supportive in each artists growth while maintaining the artist’s individual creative needs. I highly recommend this program for any creative that has the urge to purge their creativity without obstacles and feels the need to transcend their work to another level.”
Cecilia Ulibarri, Fall 2021
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“The residency has allowed dedicated time and space to reconsider and push my practice forward. I have enjoyed visiting the Currier Museum and getting to know the arts community in Manchester.”
Anthony Peyton, Summer 2021
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“We have been wanting to participate in a residency together ever since meeting each other in graduate school. I am grateful for this opportunity that allowed us to meaningfully converse and collaborate throughout our residency.”
Julia Kown, Summer 2021
Fostering innovation & experimentation for amateur and newly emerging artists.
The Factory’s AIR program is designed to support emerging artists with a place to live for up to 3 months. During this time selected applicants can focus full-time on further developing their creative practice as they take steps to cross the bridge into becoming career professionals.
We curate stipends for supplies, food & travel. You curate art!
Selected applicants are provided a studio apartment with baseic household amenities, heat, hot water, electricity & internet provided. Additionally each artist is granted a $350 travel stipend and a $1600 stipend that covers food and art supplies.
Each residency concludes with an artist opening celebration.
The Opening acts as a solo or duo exhibition to feature each artist’s developing works. Our onsite event space is set up to feature your installations and presentations to the local community. AIR’s may also organize/host additional public events/programs (artist talks, community dinners, workshop, studio visits, etc.) Preview the event space here
The AIR program Runs Three Times a Year
Session 1: March - May | Session 2: June - August | Session 3: September - November
Am I a Good Fit For This Program?
Assessing what level your creative practice is at
HOBBY ARTIST
Creating/performing just for fun
Lacks consistent style or technique
Blank resume/cv
You’re not a good fit for The Factories AIR program just yet.
AMATEUR ARTIST
Creating/performing regularly
Beginnings of a consistent style & quality
Starting to appear in exhibitions or at venues
Starting to network with other artists and organizations.
You’re a good Fit! Apply
NEW EMERGING ARTIST
High quality of executions
Exhibiting in smaller art galleries/venues
Starting to have sales of high-grade work or tickets to performances
Some art world validation (institutional exhibitions, residencies, awards, etc.)
Regularly developing & maintaining relationships in the art world.
You're a good Fit! Apply
Materials, tools, and quality of executions on a professional level
Represented by small to medium-sized art galleries
At least a half dozen group exhibitions + solo at high-end venues
Some art world validation (institutional exhibitions, residencies, awards, etc.)
You may be too advanced in your career for what this program can offer. Consider applying and talk with our team. Apply
Located inside a reimagined historic property.
The Factory on Willow is located less than a half mile from Manchester’s downtown scene. The property provides a multitude of amenities and is centrally located within the state making exploration to Boston, the White Mountains and the seacoast only a 45 minute drive. The property hosts a small gym, community garden, comic book shop, event space, dog park and a distillery.
Yes, The Factory on Willow is dog friendly! 🐶
Residency Live/Work Studios
Selected applicants are provided a studio apartment with basic household amenities like coffee pots, cookware, and utensils. The program also covers all, heat, hot water, electricity & internet provided to the artist unit.
Artist also have the option to expand their creative workspace area into our lower level commercial lot.
Expectations for Selected Applicants
Time to step out of your comfort zone: The program will create some introductions to the local artist communities but it is also necessity of each artist to this pursue avenues of growth themselves.
Project planning: Artists plan their creative executions with the programs stipends in mind. Works that go beyond the scope of the AIR stipends will depend on self funding or acquiring community partnerships/sponsors.
Exhibitions: Each program concludes with a capstone celebration to feature the progress of each artists creative practice during their time at the residency. This public showing gives emerging artists a date to invite friends, family, an the community to see their work.
Giving Back: The program requires for each artist to donate once piece created during their residency to be part of the Factory on Willow’s permanent collection. Works are displayed through the campas.
A City of Connection
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city and has experienced a sure in development and population growth over the last decade. Our reimagined Silicon Mill yard has pushed our traditionally historic mill buildings into an Eastern technological renaissance. Additionally, creative organizations like Mosaic Art Collective, See/Saw Gallery, Art at French, MHT Art Walk, Manchester Maker Space, The Currier Museum of Art, Studio 550, and The Palace & Rex Theaters.
Application Process
The applications are reviewed by an art committee whose efforts ensure that a broad range of artistic disciplines, styles, and national origins are represented. We ask that your application include your CV / artist statement, portfolio and a project proposal with a general idea of what you would like to develop during your residency. There is no applicant fee and the deadline is rolling, but we encourage you to apply as our spots fill up quickly
Download The Air Packet
And help us get the word out by sharing this opportunity with your friends and family.