Artist-in-residence program

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is now accepting applications for the Spring and Summer sessions of its 2024 Artist-in-Residence Program. 

Spring & summer 2024 artist-in-residence program
Program dates: January 24–April 19, 2024 / May 22–August 16, 2024. Application deadline: March 31, 2023, 11:59pm CT.

Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts facilitates the creation, presentation, and understanding of contemporary art through an international residency program, exhibitions, and educational programs. Located in the historic Old Market, Omaha’s arts and culture district, Bemis Center serves a critical role in the presentation and understanding of contemporary art, bridging the community of Omaha to a global discourse surrounding cultural production today.

Bemis Center’s core mission has always been to provide artists from around the world with dedicated time, space, and resources to conduct research and create new work across conceptual, material, performative, and social practices. The independently driven atmosphere and communal environment encourage creative growth, experimentation, confrontation of challenges, and cultivation of new ideas. To date, more than 1,000 artists have participated in the residency program.

Time and space
The Bemis residency is a process-based experience–residents have the ability to research, experiment, and explore free from expectations. Bemis residents enjoy generously-sized, private live/work studios and have 24-hour access to extensive installation and production spaces; the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, a 9,000 square foot industrial workshop used for large-scale sculpture fabrication; and a Sound Studio for rehearsing and recording.

Community
Professional collaborations and personal friendships are often formed among the multidisciplinary mix of residents from around the world. Presentations and open studios among the residents are optional and spontaneous, providing opportunities to share work with fellow cohort members. Bemis also offers opportunities to meet local and regional artists, arts professionals, and others that may specifically help advance a resident’s practice.

Financial support
US-based artists-in-residence receive a 1,250 USD monthly stipend and an additional 750 USD travel stipend. Due to the limitations of B2 visas (touring/visiting), international artists-in-residence are eligible to receive reimbursement of qualified expenses, such as airfare, ground transportation, and meals.

Technical and administrative support
In addition to financial support, residents receive technical and administrative support from a dedicated team of Bemis staff members.

Apply here.