Artist Residency – $17,530 artist fee plus $5,000 in collaborator and material support for Bay Area artists

The Lab Living Wage Residency Program 2026-27 is an Artist Residency in San Francisco for Bay Area artists developing new work. Selected artists receive a $17,530 artistic fee, $5,000 in support for collaborators and materials, three months of access to The Lab’s space for rehearsals and workshops, and two weeks of continuous use of the exhibition and performance spaces for the residency outcome. Residencies take place from July 2026 through June 2027, with Stage 1 applications due May 31, 2026.

*Get a curated list of opportunities each week before deadlines hit. Join the Contemporary Performance newsletter and stay connected to the field. Join The Newsletter->

Artist Residency Snapshot

What: Living Wage Residency Program for the creation of new work
Who: Artists based in the San Francisco Bay Area
Where: The Lab, 2948 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Award / Support: $17,530 artistic fee; $5,000 in additional support for collaborators and materials; three months of rehearsal/workshop access; two weeks of continuous exhibition and performance space use; curatorial and marketing support; outside studio visits; documentation; publicity
Application Fee: Free
Residency Duration: July 2026 through June 2027
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Official Link: https://thelabsf.notion.site/The-Lab-Living-Wage-Residencies-2026-27-352db69b23b98055ad1de7216caf2267
Strategy Coach Note: https://www.patreon.com/posts/strategy-coach-159286063

About the Opportunity

The Lab is a nonprofit experimental art and performance space located in San Francisco’s Mission District. The organization describes its Living Wage Residency Program as a substantial support structure for artists creating new work. Since 2014, the residency program has provided more than $1,000,000 to artists, with artist fees representing nearly 30 percent of The Lab’s average operating budget. Residents receive keys to the space and support through artist fees, curatorial collaboration, and technical expertise.

The 2026-27 residency cycle is structured around a two-stage application process. Stage 1 asks for the artist name, CV, three links, a brief description of the proposed residency project, and a brief overview of how the artist will use the financial, staff, and space resources. Stage 2 invites up to 12 selected artists to develop fuller proposals with a $250 stipend. Those proposals include a personal bio, a statement of timeliness, a further project description, and a more detailed plan for the $5,000 collaborator and materials stipend.

What Is Offered

Selected artists receive:

• $17,530 artistic fee
• $5,000 in additional support for collaborators and materials
• Three months of access to The Lab’s space for rehearsals and workshops
• Two weeks of continuous use of exhibition and performance spaces
• Curatorial support
• Marketing support
• Outside studio visits
• Documentation and publicity

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is for artists based in the San Francisco Bay Area including applied arts, architecture, dance, design, digital, drawing, education, fashion, film, installation, interdisciplinary, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, public art, research, sculpture, social practice, sound art, textiles, video, visual arts, and writing as listed artistic fields.

Timeline

Stage 1, Due May 31 — Open call with artist name, CV, 3 links, brief description of proposed residency project, and brief overview of how you will apply the provided financial, staff, and space resources.

Stage 2, Due Date TBD — Up to 12 selected artists will be invited and provided with a $250 stipend to develop their proposals with a personal bio and statement of timeliness, a further description of the project, and a more detailed description of how they would specifically use the $5,000 stipend for collaborators and materials.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This residency offers a rare structure: direct artist pay, material and collaborator support, space access, technical expertise, curatorial engagement, documentation, and publicity. The living wage framing makes the opportunity especially relevant for artists who need time, space, and cash support to move a project from proposal into development. The Stage 1 application is short, which means clarity matters. A strong application should define the project quickly, explain why The Lab is the right site, and show how the financial, staff, and space resources will be used.

Apply

Apply through The Lab’s official residency page:
https://www.thelab.org/living-wage-residency-program-202627

Explore More Opportunities

*Get a curated list of opportunities each week before deadlines hit. Join the Contemporary Performance newsletter and stay connected to the field. Join The Newsletter->

Discover more artist opportunities, grants, residencies, fellowships, and open calls at:
Contemporary Performance Opportunities