Become a Local Studio Artist

Local studio artist residencies are open to local artists who wish to rent either live/work or day studios at the center for terms of 1-2 years with a possibility for renewal. We have artist studios on two campuses – on our 18th Street campus at 1639 18th Street, and the Airport campus at 3026 Airport Ave at the Santa Monica airport. On our 18th Street campus, these studios are subsidized in part by 18th Street Arts Center at far below market rate in an effort to provide local artists with affordable rental properties within Santa Monica. Our Airport campus is a city-owned building and artists lease directly with the City of Santa Monica, who set the terms for the leases on that site, with 18th Street Arts Center acting as facility and program managers. The local studio program is open to artists of all disciplines, as well as small, artist-run initiatives. When a space becomes available, applications are reviewed by an impartial jury and artists are selected at that time. Applicants should indicate their space and affordability requirements, as well as which campus they prefer.

The Local Studio Artist Residency program accepts applications from working, professional artists who demonstrate a deep commitment to their practice. The program is open to artists of all disciplines, as well as small, artist-run initiatives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

When there is an opening, 18th Street Arts Center posts the listing on our website, as well as sending out a call for applications through diverse media outlets. To submit an application, please submit the following materials via our online application form: Apply Here.

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Work samples (pdfs, and website links are appropriate)

Additional materials may also be considered including an artist statement, press materials, letters of recommendation, and pdfs of catalogs or publications.

Generally, local studios open up every 2-3 years. However, opportunities may arise within a period of months if there is a sudden vacancy. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly.

You can find current and past local studio artists in residence here: Local Artists.

All of the studio spaces are different in size and layout. Price is based upon square footage. 18th Street Arts Center offers subsidized rents on our 1639 18th Street campus with prices at ranging between $1.00 and $2.00 square feet – which is well below market value for comparable studio space in the area. Most of our studios range from 400 to 1,000 square feet. Our Airport campus is a city-owned building with 28 studios, and artists hold leases directly with the City of Santa Monica, who set the terms for the leases according to market-rate indicators.

18th Street Arts Center rents both live/work and day studios.

Local Studio Artist Residency studios open up every 2 to 3 years.

The Artistic Director reviews applications when they are received, and applicants are chosen by an outside selection committee of experts. However, until a studio space is open, the selection committee will not evaluate applications for consideration. Studios open up on average every 2 to 3 years. Potential candidates for the Local Studio Artist Residency are invited for an in-person interview with the selection committee and 18th Street Arts Center staff as a prerequisite to occupancy.

For its Local Studio Artist Residency programs, 18th Street Arts Center seeks to work with artists whose practices relate to our organization’s mission statement, which is to “provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making.” Artists who can help broaden our reach within diverse communities and who can potentially partner in upcoming programming initiatives are prioritized.