What Makes this event different?
Residents are given a membership, for the duration of their residency, to Crosstown Arts’ on-site shared art-making workspace. This facility includes a range of analog and digital fabrication and production resources, including a wood shop, multiple CNC/laser cutters, a Mac-based computer lab, a large-format digital printing service, a silkscreen/print shop, a small recording studio, and individual editing bays for video/audio production. Additionally, Residents have the privilege to reserve and utilize the Musician & Artist Services production spaces at no expense. Founded in 2010, Crosstown Arts (501c3) completed the renovation of Crosstown Concourse in 2017, a one-million-square-foot former Sears & Roebuck distribution warehouse. The Concourse building is now home to Crosstown Arts’ contemporary art center, which includes the artist residency program, multiple galleries, large-scale exhibition/installation spaces, screening rooms, and a space dedicated to live music performance. Crosstown Arts also operates a 419-seat black box performing arts theater and a craft cocktail bar. Crosstown Concourse is also home to a major health and wellness initiative, including a walk-in clinic for the uninsured and a fitness facility, both available to participants in Crosstown Arts’ residency program. A variety of restaurants are located in the Crosstown Concourse building, as well as a small grocery store, coffee shop, pharmacy, and other commercial, retail, and residential tenants.
Situated in Memphis, TN, the highly competitive artist residency program at Crosstown Arts welcomes only 15 artists and curators, both visiting and local, per year, spanning various disciplines including visual arts, music, film, and literature.
Artists awarded a residency will have special 24/7 access to a private studio workspace as well as free access to the Crosstown Arts Shared Art workspace. Additionally, artists in residence are given the opportunity to work with the Musican & Artist Services department which offers 3 different music production suites, sync opportunities, publishing support, and more.
Live/work residencies feature a furnished private bedroom and bathroom adjacent to shared living quarters and a kitchen. Accessible housing options are available for differently abled residents. All residencies are offered free of charge, but participants must cover their own studio materials and travel expenses to and from Memphis.
Residency sessions for 2025 include a three-month term in the spring (February 13 – May 13) and fall (September 16 – December 16), as well as a two-month session in the summer (June 3 – July 31). Crosstown Arts also offers specialized residencies in music composition and film/video as part of the application process.
During their stay, residents are encouraged to engage in a limited number of public activities, such as informal artist talks and open studio events.
Application fee is $20.
