PARTNERSHIP RESIDENCIES

EFA Studio Program: Partnerships Residencies offers studio space and career development opportunities to sponsored artists from around the world. Nonprofit organizations, governments and individuals may support artists through a customized partnership with EFA.

International artists may apply directly to the International Partnership program. If accepted, artists have one year to secure the necessary funding and visas to join the EFA community as a short term resident.

Benefits for Participating Artists:

  • Private studio with 24-hour access, air-conditioning/heat, fresh air fan system, large windows, and 10’6” ceilings and basic studio furniture located in the EFA Center in midtown Manhattan. Studios have access to shared Internet, kitchen, resource room, freight and passenger elevators.

  • Participation in the Annual Open Studios event held for three days in mid-October

  • Private studio visits with selected curators, critics, and gallerists

  • Professional Practice lectures and seminars

  • Advice and/or introduction to relevant New York area visual arts organizations and galleries

  • Opportunity to exhibit in our 3rd gallery depending on availability.

  • Public Presentation by visiting artists to EFA Studio Members and invited arts professionals

  • Membership in EFA’s Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop

  • Use of artist assistant interns two days a week depending on availability

  • Invitation to social events, such as holiday parties, exhibition receptions, internal open studios and Armory week cocktail party

  • Interaction with professional artists in the 90 studios of the EFA Center in mid-town Manhattan

  • Discussion with Program Director about professional and cultural challenges

Partner Benefits:

  • A fully staffed partner location in the heart of the NYC art world

  • Promotion on our 18,000-person mailing list of art professionals and patrons

  • Visibility on our Social Media channels (12,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook) and during Open Studio (1800 visitors over three days)

  • Partner logo on website, press releases, Open Studios brochure and signage

  • Opportunity to co-host receptions, screening and exhibitions

  • Recent partners include Arthub Copenhagen, Artistic Freedom Initiative, Artist Protection Fund, Artis, and The Danish Art Foundation (click here for more information)


Partnership Sponsor Eligibility
Cultural institutions, government agencies, corporate organizations or private patrons.

Artist Eligibility
Professional-level visual artists selected by the sponsoring organization and approved by EFA. Artists must have a working command of the English language. Direct applicants must demonstrate strong international cultural ties through non-US citizenship or long-term residency.

Length of Residency
EFA recommends a minimum of six-week residency for an introduction to New York’s vibrant arts scene. Longer stays of three to six months are most beneficial to artists looking to develop new work at EFA.

Cost
EFA provides a studio with the benefits listed below. Studio cost varies according to the studio chosen by the sponsor. Costs for studios range from approximately $2,000 to $3,500 per month. We recommend an additional $3,000- $5,000 a month be budgeted for personal expenses.

Additional Considerations
EFA does not provide funding for transportation, housing, art materials, or living expenses. If necessary, we recommend that sponsors consult with their consulates or UN staff to ascertain appropriate support or gain help with living accommodations. The artist or sponsor is responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa. EFA will provide a letter confirming the purpose of the artist’s stay in the United States upon request.

In addition to partner-initiated residencies, international artists may apply directly to the EFA International Artist program. If accepted, they will have one year to seek sponsorship from their home country and schedule a residency.

⟶ Residency Profiles


⟶ International Artist Direct Application