Beginning in January 2024, ICA San Diego will launch a pilot residency program to support local artists. Through a collaboration with the Sherman Heights-based maker space Good Faith, ICA San Diego will sponsor two six-month residencies in a Good Faith studio space; both artists-in-residence will have the opportunity to participate in a joint exhibition at ICA San Diego/North in 2025-2026.
Residency Program
ICA San Diego’s 2024 residency program is designed to support local artists in building and expanding their careers here in San Diego. Through two consecutive six-month residencies awarded to two artists living in San Diego County or northern Baja California, ICA San Diego will provide the artists-in-residence with studio space, a stipend, and professional development guidance from ICA San Diego’s curatorial team. The two artists-in-residence will also have the opportunity to exhibit in a two-person show at ICA North that aligns with the seasonal exhibition theme, “On Healing.”
For two consecutive six-month periods, one resident at a time will have access to a private 8 x 8-foot studio at the collaborative maker space Good Faith in Sherman Heights. In addition, ICA San Diego will provide a $4,000 stipend and a $1,000/month materials budget. The residency will culminate with a two-person exhibition of both artists-in-residence at ICA North, on a date to be determined.
It is expected that each artist-in-residence will use their time to produce or complete an innovative and thoughtfully-produced body of work for exhibition at ICA San Diego. Artists-in-residence may also be asked to contribute to, or participate in, public programming relating to the residency and/or their exhibition.
ICA San Diego’s Residency program is made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Eligible applicants must be 18+ years of age and reside in either San Diego County or Northern Baja.
For the purpose of this process, an artist is understood to be an individual generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional practitioner of the visual or performing arts based on their body of work, educational background and/or experience, exhibition/publication history, and/or past creation of artworks.
For consideration, applicants must submit a complete application by Oct 31, 2023.
The selection process consists of two phases: application scoring and an interview round. Applications will be scored based on artistic strength (vision, originality, and consistency); the clear and thoughtful communication of the proposed project; and their practice or project’s relevance to the ICA’s 2025-2026 season focused on healing (description in next dropdown menu). Applicants who advance to the interview stage must be able to demonstrate their professionalism and reliability, as well as their ability to successfully meet deadlines and work with a team of arts professionals.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of members of the ICA San Diego Art Committee and local arts professionals. Finalists will also be interviewed by ICA San Diego’s curatorial team.
Priority may be given to applicants who do not have access to a studio space separate from their home.
As we continue adjusting to life in the wake of a global pandemic, ICA San Diego is developing a season of exhibition programming that looks at what it means to heal. The COVID-19 pandemic not only devastated physical and mental health, but laid bare the deep political and socio-cultural wounds that continue to damage and divide the American body politic. The exhibitions that comprise our exhibition season may consider healing from a variety of perspectives including, but not limited to: physical and mental health; neworks of care; the politics of healthcare; spiritual/religious/faith-based healing; healing practices of past, future, or fictional societies; healing as a process or journey.
- Application period is October 1 to 31, 2023
- Finalists will be notified by the end of November, and all finalists will need to conduct an interview with members of the selection committee and ICA’s curatorial team.
- 2024 Artists in Residence will be announced in mid-December
Residency period 1 is: January 8 to June 30, 2024 Residency period 2 is: July 8 to December 30, 2024
Please note: this residency provides studio space, NOT living space. Artists-in-residence are expected to provide their own transportation to/from the studio and museum locations.
Applications have closed.
ICA San Diego Overview
ICA San Diego presents experimental art and learning with a mission to question everything. As a living laboratory of art and ideas, ICA San Diego is actively building an arts ecosystem across San Diego, southern California, and northern Baja California, working towards our mission to be everywhere and for everyone. Each year, ICA San Diego undertakes five exhibitions of contemporary art featuring a range of emerging to mid-career artists that challenge our understanding of art and the world around us. These solo and group exhibitions are joined by our annual NextGen show, supporting the artists graduating from our region’s higher learning institutions and providing them with professional development resources to grow their careers.
Our commitment to supporting local artists continues to expand with a redesigned residency program focusing on providing studio space, mentorship, and financial resources to support artists in achieving success at home in San Diego. These values inform all other ICA San Diego programming, including our C You Saturday! public events; classes and camps for all ages; and outreach programming into local schools.
