Bernheim 2027 Artist in Residence Program

About this call

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, a nature preserve in Clermont, Kentucky, United States, has run its Artist in Residence program since 1980. Up to four visual artists are selected each year to live on site and make work inspired by Bernheim's natural environment. One residency is dedicated to an artist living in Kentucky or in Clark and Floyd counties of Southern Indiana, and one to an artist whose work addresses environmental issues and the climate crisis (the Environmental Artist in Residence). Residencies last 6 to 8 weeks and are scheduled with each artist within 2027. Artists receive a $2,500 stipend, a furnished rustic cabin and a modest studio near a 32-acre lake, with support from Bernheim's horticulture and operations departments and its ecologists, scientists, naturalists and forest managers; the regional artist also receives year-round access to Bernheim resources during the selected year.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Installation / Sculpture / Mixed Media / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Performance
• Free entry
• Open to professional visual artists, emerging or established, at the regional, national or international level, who create nature-inspired work; visual and mixed-media artists, including those working with sound and performance art that incorporates visual elements; not open to writers, musicians or dancers. Undergraduate students, former Artists in Residence, current Bernheim staff and artists directly associated with a staff member are not eligible (alumni may instead send self-sufficient proposals to return). Artists who applied in 2026 must reapply. International artists are welcome but must secure their own visas and meet immigration requirements; a working knowledge of English is required. Collaborations and collectives submit a single application with work samples from the group, a primary contact and the group's workspace needs; the stipend goes to the group and collaborators share accommodation. Artists may apply to both the Artist in Residence and the Environmental Artist in Residence programs with a separate proposal for each. Include any timing needs in the submission; references are requested through the SlideRoom application. Applicants hear by mid-February. There are no residency or application fees, but the artist pays all travel and living expenses; meals and formal material support are not provided, and artists bring any specific tools they need (hand and power tools on request after showing safe use). Selected artists must live on site; the stay can be split into two periods of at least three weeks each. Pets are not allowed in the lodging unless an exception is granted on request; service animals are welcome. A mutually agreed work of art is gifted to Bernheim (artists have up to a year to submit it); a site-specific installation must be planned in advance and approved by staff, and staff do not assist with making or installing works. Each artist takes part in at least one public program, onsite or offsite, during the residency. The lodging is not wheelchair accessible; a car is strongly recommended.