Where is the residency located?
The residency is located at Chautauqua Institution in western New York state. The area surrounding the institution is rural and is about an hour away from Buffalo.  

What is included in my acceptance to the program?
The program is fully inclusive in that you receive a studio, access to facilities, studio visits, a room, a meal plan, gym access and gate pass to see lectures and concerts.  Art supplies are not included.    

What are the requirements to apply?
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older to be eligible to apply. You do not need to have a BFA or MFA to apply.  

How is this program different from other residency programs?
In addition to meeting artists from around the US and beyond, you have access to performances by world-renowned musicians and dancers. You can be inspired by lectures that happen M-F 10:45 from luminaries from around the world.  

What are studios like?
Chautauqua is a community that is over 150 years old so the studio building itself is historic. Each studio is about 100 sq feet and is connected to other studios to create a community experience. They are open studios without doors. You have at least two working walls, a table and chair. Studios are not air conditioned. 

What is the living space like?
Residents have their own room in a dorm with a shared bathroom. The dorm is air conditioned. 

Can I secure my own living space?
If you do not want to be in the dorm, you can secure your own living space. We do not assist with this process.  

What is the food like?
Residents that stay in the dorm have meals in the dining hall that consists of a buffet style meal with salad bar.  

Why is there a gate pass required to enter?
The gate pass acts like a ticket to access all that we offer at Chautauqua. Because there are many programs, performances, and lectures that occur every day at the Institution, there is a fee to enter the grounds. However, our residency program includes the cost of this gate pass in the tuition. 

I just want to make work in isolation. Can I do that at Chautauqua?
If you want to be completely isolated, this residency isn’t for you. We recommend artists apply who are community-minded, open, and want to share. 

Will I have any time to actually work in my studio?
Yes! You have 24/7 access to your studio.  

Can I bring my family to Chautauqua?
Yes, however, your family must secure their own room/housing and purchase a gate pass to attend any Institution programming.

I have some questions that were not answered here. May I talk with someone with my specific questions?
Of course! We welcome your questions! Please send your questions to art@chq.org.

Chautauqua Institution provides residence hall lodging. Our dormitories are all in a central location, just a short walk from the School of Art.  

Greene Family Commons made up of two buildings (North and South), is the largest dormitory and the location of the dining hall, where all  residents receive meals, regardless of where they are housed.  

Students are housed together based on their age, gender and program. Chautauqua Visual Arts residents reside in Greene Family Commons. Dorm rooms are mainly all double occupancy, with a few triple occupancies. Each room includes a bed, desk and closet for each student, and each room shares a bathroom with one other room.  

Chautauqua employs a full-time, experienced Residence Staff of Resident Assistants (RA’s) that manage the student residential experience from move-in to check-out. Several of our RA’s are former students who love giving back to the current student experience. There is always an RA on duty 24 hours a day, available in–person or by a call or text to the RA Duty phone. Additionally, a full-time Registered Nurse resides in Greene Family Commons for first aid and holds regular office hours. 

Tuition & Fees 

Housing Costs
Residence Hall $660
Security Deposit $100 (refundable) 

Meal Plan
All meals (7 days a week) $2,700 

Instructional Costs Includes full instruction costs, fitness center membership, registration fee, and gate pass to attend all events for free (except opera and theater). $3,155 

TOTAL: $6,615 

Scholarships & Funding 

At Chautauqua Visual Arts, tuition includes housing, meals, studio space, and full participation in the residency program. Admissions are based solely on artistic merit and are not influenced by financial circumstances. 

Through the generosity of our donors and partners, CVA offers a range of scholarships and work-study opportunities to artists with financial need. While we ask applicants to contribute what they are able, additional funding is available to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent participation. 

Work-study recipients commit to fulfilling designated responsibilities for a set number of hours each week, contributing to the daily life and operations of the program while receiving financial support. 

Chautauqua Institution is located in the southwestern corner of New York State. 

If you choose to fly to Chautauqua, the closest airports are the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (70 miles northeast) and Erie International Airport (40 miles west). Getting to Chautauqua by train is another option. There are Amtrak Train Stations in both Buffalo, NY (77 miles northeast) and Erie, PA (38 miles west). 

From both train stations and airports, you will still need to travel the rest of the way to Chautauqua by car or bus. Bus service includes Coach USA (Buffalo to Jamestown 716-665-3076), and Chautauqua Area Rural Transit (Chautauqua County; 1-800-556-8553 in Dunkirk). 

Chautauqua Institution’s address is:  

1 Ames Ave
Chautauqua, NY 14722  

For questions or information on housing and transportation, please contact: Sarah Malinoski-Umberger. Manager, Chautauqua Schools of Performing and Visual Arts. 716-357-6233 

Chautauqua is primarily a pedestrian community with very narrow streets. The Institution provides regularly scheduled complimentary shuttle bus and tram service in the Main Lot and on the grounds during the season. The School of Art can offer a golf cart for occasional transportation around the grounds and for large items or artwork that need to be transported at any point. Many people enjoy biking around the grounds, and we can provide a limited number of communal bikes for our artists to enjoy. 

Chautauqua Institution Map of Grounds 

Transportation outside the Institution grounds is limited. If you have a car, you are more than welcome to bring it and we will provide you with a complimentary parking pass. We can provide transportation on occasion if you need to do some shopping outside of the grounds. Items may also be shipped to Chautauqua.* Paper is available for purchase for any printmaking needs. 

Nearby Art Supply Stores: 

Home Depot (14 mi) 

Michaels (13 mi) 

Cala Lily Yarn Shop (11 mi) 

Walmart (13 mi) 

*Mailing address is different than Chautauqua Institution’s address 

Resident artists receive a meal plan that covers various dietary options in cafeteria-style dorm dining.  

In addition, there are other restaurants located on the Institution grounds. You can also get freshly cooked meals, fruits, vegetables, bread and other farm– fresh items at the Bestor Fresh Market (Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and the Farmer’s Market on Massey (Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.).   

We have a Communal Fridge available in the Great Room (in the Art Quad) for our artists-in-residence to share. The Great Room is also stocked with complimentary snacks, coffee and tea.