EFA SHIFT x Momus Residency 2027

About this call

A six-month residency from the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in partnership with Momus for four New York based practitioners who move between visual art and art criticism: artists who write, or writers who make art. The cohort works at EFA Studios in Midtown Manhattan, New York, United States, from July to December 2027 under the mentorship of artist and writer Ajay Kurian, founder of NewCrits, with studio access, critical seminars and conversations with visiting professionals, ending in a culminating project in December 2027. Residents receive a USD 2,000 honorarium and 24-hour access to a shared studio.

Who can apply

• United States only
• Medium: Writing / Mixed Media
• Free entry
• Applicants must be based in New York, reside within commuting distance of EFA for the entire residency and attend in person: an orientation lunch, five critical seminars, Open Studios, a public panel and the culminating public event; move-out is December 31, 2027. International artists may apply only if they can relocate and have permission to work in the USA; EFA cannot sponsor visas or help with travel or lodging, and no housing is provided. Applicants must be 24 or older when the residency starts, must not be enrolled in a degree-granting program during the residency, and must have an ongoing artistic practice, exhibiting art or publishing writing (not necessarily both). The residency is reserved for artists who do not have access to a studio; the FAQ says having a studio or being in another residency between July and December 2027 matters. Submit a letter of intention (500 words max), short bio, 2-page CV, work samples (10 JPEG images of up to 3MB, one artwork per image, or a video link of up to 5 minutes for moving image work), a writing sample of up to three pieces of original critical writing about art, about 1 to 2 pages each, in one PDF, and the email and phone number of two references. Do not use AI for the letter or the writing samples. Finalists are interviewed in March 2027. No fee to apply or attend; a USD 75 refundable key deposit is required if accepted.