Queer Spectra Artist Residency
Queer Spectra Arts Festival is excited to open applications for our 2026-2027 cohort of Artists-in-Residence.
This is a multidisciplinary arts residency for artists creating work that challenges and contributes to contemporary understandings of queer art and queer discourse.
Queer Spectra Arts Festival is looking to support visual, performing, and interdisciplinary artists in their long-term development and investigation of art about queer identity.
Four artists will be selected for the residency and work from September 2026 through May 2027. Artists will work on a proposed project throughout the residency, with a mid-point showing in January 2027 and the opportunity to show their work at the 2027 Queer Spectra Arts Festival in May. Please read the requirements carefully.
A still from a film by Jade Swayne, one of the 2025-2026 Queer Spectra Artists-in-Residence, presented at the January 2026 showing.
In the application, you will propose a project to create during the residency. Consider the scope and feasibility of your project in the September to May residency period, with a mid-point showing in January.
We encourage you to write about your proposed project in your clearest language and to submit work samples that strongly showcase your artistic practice.
Residency Requirements
Performing, visual, and interdisciplinary artists are invited to apply.
This residency is for Utah-based artists, who involve queerness in their art-making process.
Artists can commit to continuously working on a proposed project throughout the entire residency period (September-May).
Artists will present their work on January 22 and 23, 2027 at a Work In Progress Event in Salt Lake City which will include all of the 2026-2027 Artists in Residence. This does not have to be a traditional performance or gallery showing; artists can share in their application how they envision a public sharing of their work.
Artists will periodically meet as a cohort to discuss their process, share ideas, and talk through creative challenges.
Artists will share their work at the upcoming Queer Spectra Arts Festival in May 2027.
One of the 2025-2026 Queer Spectra Artists-in-Residence, St. Moan, performing at the January 2026 showing.
Public Facing Requirements:
Queer Spectra will share the artists on our website and social media, including bios and headshots.
Artists will participate in a mid-process interview with Queer Spectra, which will be shared on our social media and website.
Artists will provide Queer Spectra with documentation of their work throughout the process to share.
Artists will share their work in a work in progress showing alongside the other artists-in-residence in January. Queer Spectra will host this showing.
Artists will present work at the Queer Spectra Arts Festival in May 2027.
Artists will receive:
Stipend of $1000
Reimbursement of up to $500 to cover studio rental and materials. Queer Spectra will provide a list of rentable studios and contact information for spaces (primarily in Salt Lake City valley).
Documentation of the studio showing (January 2027)
Promotion on Queer Spectra's social media and website.
Visual, Performance, and Interdisciplinary artists are invited to submit.
You may apply as a partnership or collective to work on a proposed project. Collectives/partnership will receive the same $1000 stipend per group, not per artist.
Application closes on Sunday, August 16th at 11:59pm MT.
Please email queerspectra@gmail.com with any questions.
Penny from Alise Anderson, one 2025-2026 Queer Spectra Artists-in-Residence, showcased at the January 2026 showing.