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, programming, classes, room, and a meal plan will be provided. Art supplies are not included.  

Am I eligible to apply to the Chautauqua School of Art residency program?
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older to be eligible to apply and interested in a studio-intensive experience. You do not need to have a BFA or MFA to apply.  

What are the requirements to apply?
See our application requirements here. Please go to Slideroom to learn more about our application requirements and submit an application.

What are the requirements of the residency program?
We want residents to embrace this unique opportunity to connect with a community of artists and challenge their work and ideas. We have found this is best done through being present. Accepted resident artists must commit to be present for the full session and participate in the school’s culture. This means engaging with faculty, attending critiques, and being respectful to the other residents at Chautauqua.  

How is this program different from other residency programs?
At Chautauqua, you will work with incredible art faculty and also be able to learn from historians and anthropologists. You have access to performances by world-renowned musicians and dancers. We are interested in working with artists who want to learn from other cultural areas and contribute to our community. 

What are studios like?
You have your studio that is about 100 sq feet and is connected to other studios to create a community experience. You have at least two working walls, a table and chair.  

Why is there a gate and 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 and our facilities.

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. 

What happens after I attend the School of Art residency program?
We continue to stay in touch as much as possible and give as many opportunities as we can to our alums. Check out Alumni news here! 

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 for approximately 300 full-time students and artists enrolled in the art, music, dance, and theater programs, as well as visitors of Chautauqua via our CHQ on a Budget Program during Weeks 1-2 and 8-9. Our dormitories are all in a central location, just a short walk from the School of Art, Dance, and Music facilities. Bellinger Hall, made up of two buildings (North and South), is the largest dormitory and the location of the dining hall, where all dormitory 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 Bellinger Hall. 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 Bellinger Hall for first aid and holds regular office hours.

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

Meal Plan
All meals (7 days a week) $1,800

Instructional Costs
Includes full instruction costs, fitness center membership, registration fee, and gate pass to attend all events for free (except opera and theater).
Studio Fee: $150

Art Residency: $3,155

TOTAL: $5,615

We are dedicated to supporting artists and want to ensure that artists who have been accepted can attend regardless of their financial status.  A large percentage of our residents receive significant financial aid to attend.

Full and partial scholarships are available for resident artists. Recipients must fulfill certain work obligations for a set number of hours a week. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program without a refund. Those who receive full financial assistance are required to contribute the full 10 hours per week. 

Participants who receive financial aid from external organizations, schools, or institutions are expected to share their experiences with the contributing institution. 

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)
• JOANN Fabric & Crafts (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 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.