Self-Directed Residencies for individual artists in the Leighton Studios
Application DeadlineOctober 29, 2025
Program Dates Apr 06, 2026 - Mar 26, 2027
Arrive Apr 05, 2026
Depart Mar 27, 2027
Program Duration: Minimum 2 weeks, maximum 6 weeks.
Proposed dates must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Leighton Studios are purpose-built, private workspaces designed to support a range of creative disciplines. Each studio offers a distinct environment, allowing applicants to indicate a preferred space that best supports their practice.
- Writers and curators may prefer the Hemingway, Henriquez, or Evamy studios—quiet, contemplative spaces designed for literary or research-based projects.
- Musicians, composers, and songwriters may select the Valentine, Davidson, or Cardinal studios, which accommodate solo composition or sound-based work.
- Visual Artists, designers, animators, and filmmakers often choose the Thom or Gerin-Lajoie studios, which provide more space for physical creation and experimentation.
Learn more about each studio’s features and find the best fit for your project.
This residency is designed for independent work and does not include production support, technical assistance, or access to specialized facilities. Applicants are responsible for bringing all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project.
Requirements
This residency is open to creative professionals with a demonstrated record of accomplishment and a clearly defined project. Including but not limited to:
- Curatorial Practice: research and writing
- Design: architectural, environmental, interactive, visual, functional, and fashion
- Music: composition and songwriting
- Theatre Arts: dramaturgy, playwriting, and theatrical development
- Visual Arts: drawing, painting, digital art, and multimedia
- Writing: literature, poetry, non-fiction, journalism, and screenwriting
- Interdisciplinary Projects: work integrating multiple creative disciplines
Applicants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. This residency is best suited for those who:
- work independently without production support, instrument rentals, or access to specialized production facilities
- have a project that fits within the footprint of a Leighton Studio
- provide all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project
Financial aid is available for this program.

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