Residency Information & Application

Residency Information & ApplicationEstablished in 2003, the residency program at the Clay Studio of Missoula is designed to encourage the creative, intellectual and personal growth of emerging and established visual artists. A studio residency is an ideal opportunity for a developing artist who is looking for a place to pursue focused work while gaining important technical skills and teaching experience. Residents should be enthusiastic and dedicated to their artwork, enjoy working with other people in a community studio setting and have working knowledge of the ceramic medium. Previous experience working in a ceramics studio is strongly preferred.Residency Applications for 2026/27 are due Thursday, April 2, 2026 We are accepting applications starting January 2, 2026 Apply online starting Jan 6 through our Submittable Portal https://theclaystudioofmissoula.submittable.com/submitArtist Residency ProgramThe Clay Studio of Missoula currently offers long term residencies (up to two years, general start time is September), and some short term opportunities (up to two months, dependent of space availability). There are generally five long term residents in total, and depending on the cycle, we generally have 2-3 long term spots to offer annually to new applicants. The Clay Studio’s director and a rotating selection committee choose new residents annually in April. The selections are based on the quality of the work, its artistic merit, and the diversity of the prospective group in terms of work, background, and stage of career development. Long-term residents are initially granted a one-year residency, and are given the opportunity to extend into a second year with director and committee approval. ​ ​Residency ExpectationsThe Clay Studio expects that each resident will contribute approximately 5 hours a week in studio and gallery maintenance. The 5 self-directed hours working for the Clay Studio per week includes such general studio tasks (loading and firing kilns, cleaning and organizing the studio), gallery assistance (gallery monitoring, exhibit install/de-install, packing artist work), assisting with studio improvements, and performing other duties and special projects as needed. Additional work expectations includes assistance with community outreach events throughout the year. Residents are also expected to assist with the production of fundraising events, including the production of art works for the events, and are often called upon to offer technical or creative advice to studio artists, interns, and students.Wood Fire ResidencyWhile any Clay Studio resident may fire the wood kiln, the Clay Studio of Missoula maintains one residency opportunity dedicated to a year-long wood fire residency. This opportunity may also be extended into a second year with Board approval. Interested applicants should have a strong, developed body of work; have previous experience firing wood kilns; feel comfortable directing firings; possess a strong work ethic, and have a desire to work within a community setting. ​ The Clay Studio of Missoula’s wood fire program is popular with both students and members, and the wood fire resident plays an important role in maintaining and developing this program. Expected tasks include teaching classes on wood firing, managing the wood firing community, acting as the contact to our wood suppliers, managing kiln maintenance, implementing safety policies, and supervising community and class firings. In exchange, firing fees for the wood kiln are generally waived for the wood fire resident. Time spent managing the wood fire program will account for some but not all of the wood fire resident’s hours contributed to helping to run a successful community studio.Resident BenefitsLong Term Residents are assigned a dedicated, semi-private studio space to work in for the duration of their residency (approximately 125 sq. ft.), and receive 24-hour access to the Clay Studio facilities. Community Residents are granted table space and shelving in the shared staff work area, can work alongside our Community Artists, and receive 24-hour access to the Clay Studio facilities. Residents are responsible for their own studio tools, housing and transportation, and kiln and material fees. Resident artists are highly encouraged to teach classes as a way to share their knowledge and experiences, as well as to interact with our local Missoula community. Teaching opportunities are paid. ​ Funding Opportunities for Long Term Residents Funding for Long Term Residents: We will be offering $2500 annual fellowships all new and continuing residents. There is also professional development funding available for long-term residents that can be used to support attendance to NCECA and other activities and supplies. ​ Funding for Short Term Residents: Material and firing stipends are available. These stipends will be determined by the length of the approved residency. Gallery OpportunitiesThe Clay Studio has a dedicated sales gallery and an exhibition space. Residents are encouraged to put work up for sale in our sales gallery, and all long-term residents are invited to present a solo exit show in the exhibition gallery near the end of their residency. The Clay Studio has a developing permanent collection, and asks that all long term residents leave a significant piece for the collection at the completion of their residency.FacilitiesKilns: • two computerized 1227 Skutt kilns that are rated to cone 8 • one 1027 Skutt kiln, computerized rated to cone 10 • one 1018 computerized Skutt kiln rated to cone 10 • a few small test kilns • soda kiln (approx 34 cubic feet) • gas kiln (approx. 34 cubic feet) • car kiln • large anagama wood kiln (approx. 720 cubic feet) • smaller wood/soda kiln • raku kiln ​ In addition, the Clay Studio has a Soldner clay mixer, slab rollers, an extruder, a variety of classroom kick and electric wheels, a stocked glaze lab, spray booth, a small light box and fade for photographing work, an