The Emerging Artist in Residence (EAiR) program supports knowledgeable artists who are making a transition in their professional lives. Whether moving from academia to a professional studio practice, taking up a new medium, or beginning a new body of work, artists find this independent residency ideal for contemplation, research, and experimentation. The program provides artists with space and the time to develop an idea, project, or new body of work in glass.

The EAiR program began in 1992 and serves artists working with glass. The cohort of artists are from around the world; selected by the jury and our partner organizations.

We will offer designated residency spots through funding for a promising BIPOC artist and Ukraine Glass Prize awardee. We will also host an exceptional emergent Norwegian artist selected by the Norwegian Crafts in an exchange funded by the American Scandinavian Foundation.

The residency requires a specific project proposal that tells how you will use your time on campus. Our studios for kiln-working, coldworking, printmaking, flameworking and use of mixed media are available for residents, but hot glass working is not included. Although supported by coordinator(s), the EAiR program is an independent artist’s residency, so no instruction is available, and glassmaking experience is required. Similarly, the school has a Bot Lab for machine assisted fabrication available for independent use for those trained and orientated. Neon is available on a limited basis, please do not submit a proposal based on neon alone.

The residency requires full-time participation by all artists. Visiting curators and the Artistic Director will provide technical and critical feedback plus opportunities for field trips. Residents are expected to partake in communal studio clean-ups and be responsible and courteous studio citizens.

All residents will receive a stipend of US $2,000 per artist and travel reimbursement. On campus, they will share open studio space and cooking facilities with their cohort and be lodged in their own private room with shared bath. Materials, instruction, and food are not provided for residents.

This residency is funded by Norwegian Crafts, American Scandinavian Foundation, the Ukraine Young Artist Award, individual donors, and a generous multi-year gift from Chihuly Studio and Chihuly Garden and Glass aimed at supporting Pilchuck’s operations, the needs of its artist community, and its work towards greater diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.