Artist-in-Residence Program

The New Gallery at Austin Peay State University invites applications for its Artist-in-Residence program — an opportunity for contemporary artists to develop ambitious new work within a supportive academic and creative environment. The program provides a dedicated studio space, professional resources, and the chance to culminate the residency with a public solo exhibition of work produced on site.

Designed to support experimentation, research, and artistic growth, the residency brings practicing contemporary artists to Clarksville and the Middle Tennessee region, creating meaningful engagement with the university and broader community. Artists are encouraged to explore new ideas, expand their practice, and take creative risks in a setting that values innovation and dialogue.

The program is generously supported by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA) and the Department of Art + Design at Austin Peay State University.

Key Dates
Event	Dates
Application Deadline	July 31, 2026
Residency Dates	September 25 - October 22, 2026
Exhibition Dates	October 19 - December 4, 2026

Eligibility

Artists who live within a 300-mile radius (+/- 10 miles) of Clarksville, TN
Must be at least 21 years old
Submission materials should demonstrate professional experience and preparedness for a solo exhibition
Works in all media will be considered

Apply now for the Artist in Residence

What the Artist Receives

Stipend & Housing

$2,500 artist fee
$2,500 for travel, shipping, food, and incidentals
On-campus housing in APSU's Visiting Scholar's residence — a spacious unit with a full kitchen and laundry, a five-minute walk from the gallery and studio

Studio & Exhibition Support

Access to a secure gallery/studio space
Studio visit(s) with regional curator(s)
Collaborative exhibition design and installation with the curator, director of The New Gallery, and student assistants
An exhibition catalogue documenting the show — the artist receives five complimentary copies
An exhibition essay — the artist identifies and contracts a writer to compose an essay for the gallery guide and catalog
Press releases, posters, and social media promotion — the artist receives five posters for their archives
A featured slot in the CECA Visiting Artist Speaker Series

Artist Expectations

Artists selected for the residency are expected to:

Create new artwork during the residency for exhibition in The New Gallery at the end of the residency term
Existing artwork may be brought to expand upon, build context or conceptual frameworks, and exhibit alongside newly created work
Engage directly with students through studio visits or a workshop with selected undergraduate students
Be present for two open studio events during the residency
Present an evening Artist Lecture as part of the CECA Visiting Artist Speaker Series

Events & Schedule

Upcoming Events

First Thursday Art Walk: (Open Studio)

OCT 1 Gallery Workroom, Room 105, Art + Design Building (or Room 108 Gallery, Trahern Building)

Artists must be present for both open studio events.
Gallery Talk & Reception

OCT 21 The New Gallery, Room 101, Art + Design Building
First Thursday Art Walk: (Open Studio)

NOV 5 Gallery Workroom, Room 105, Art + Design Building (or Room 108 Gallery, Trahern Building)

Artists must be present for both open studio events.
Artist Lecture

Sara and Mike Gotcher Theatre, Trahern Building

Date To Be Determined

How to Apply

There is no application fee. CECA covers all administrative costs.

Upload the following materials via Submittable — The New Gallery Artist-in-Residence Application:

20 images and/or videos of artwork
A brief bio (max 300 words)
Current CV/resume
Artist website
Project description and prospective goals

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed in three rounds:

First round — The Curator/Director of The New Gallery and APSU Art + Design faculty narrow submissions to the top 10 candidates. Decisions communicated by Monday, August 10, 2026.
Second round — The Director of The New Gallery, Art + Design faculty, and the Director of CECA narrow to the top 3 candidates. Decisions communicated by Monday, August 17, 2026.
Final round — The top 3 candidates participate in a one-on-one studio visit via Zoom or FaceTime with the Curator/Director of The New Gallery. Final notification by Friday, August 21, 2026.

About The New Gallery

The New Gallery is a 1,500-square-foot contemporary exhibition space featuring 120 linear feet of wall space and 36 feet of movable walls, offering exceptional flexibility for installation and presentation.