2027 RAIR Residency Open Call — Standard & Biggie Shortie

Overview

RAIR (Recycled Artist in Residency) is a Philadelphia-based artist residency situated inside Revolution Recovery, a construction and demolition waste recycling facility in the Tacony neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. RAIR challenges the perception of waste culture by providing a platform at the intersection of art, industry, and community, encouraging resident artists to reconsider their studio practice through the lens of sustainability and material reuse.

Residency Programs

• Standard Residency: a longer, traditional studio-based program suited to artists dedicating 4–6 full weeks to their project and studio practice at RAIR, with full access to the shop, project space, and a private studio.
• Biggie Shortie: a shorter, project-based residency taking place mainly on weekends, typically outside the recycling facility's operating hours, offering partial access to project-space tools and equipment with some ability to store materials onsite, but no private studio. Suited to artists with weekday commitments.

Eligibility

Open to emerging and mid-career artists nationally and internationally, 21 years or older. Must not be actively enrolled in a college or university program during the residency (applicants who will have graduated by the time of their proposed residency are allowed). Open to artists from any field, including visual artists, designers, architects, self-taught makers, and musicians. Artist collectives and collaborative groups welcome; only one application needed per group with separate bios and indication of collaboration duration.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: September 27, 2026
• Notification: January 2027
• Standard Residency Duration: 4–6 weeks, scheduled March–November
• Biggie Shortie Residency Duration: 2–4 weekends, scheduled March–November

Program Benefits

All residents receive a $1,000 stipend, modest project budget, modest materials budget, guided access to waste stream materials with RAIR staff, modest budget for professional documentation by photographer, professional development opportunities including studio visits and interviews, possible exhibition opportunities, and connections to RAIR's network. Travel and housing reimbursements available to artists from outside the region. Support for planning optional public programming such as workshops, artist talks, performances, and screenings.

Application Fee

$25 submission fee per residency program applied to. Applicants may apply to both Standard and Biggie Shortie in the same cycle by submitting two separate applications and paying two separate fees. Fee waivers available to a limited number of applicants experiencing financial hardship on a first-come, first-served basis; request by emailing [email protected] with subject line "Application Fee Waiver."

Application Requirements

Submit online via Submittable: 10 work samples (images or videos; file specifications detailed on the application form) and a project proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register for an in-person or virtual site tour before applying; a recording of a previous tour is also available.

How to Apply

Applications submitted online through Submittable.