REEF Residency

reef residency logo

The School of Critical Studies, the School of Film/Video and the School of Art are pleased to announce 9 one-year artist residencies in downtown Los Angeles. Open to Graduated MFA and MA alumni 2021-2023 in Critical Studies, Film/Video, and Art.

The Reef Residency supports recent graduates from the MFA & MA programs in the schools of Critical Studies, Film/Video and the School of Art for one year in a creative and collaborative working environment.Three post-graduate students from each school will receive a cost-free space in a large shared open studio from January 2, 2024 – December 15, 2024. Recipients will also receive a grant of $5,000 to support their work.

The REEF Residency is located in the Reef building, Maker City, Downtown Los Angeles and includes two floors of studio and artists’ facilities.The residency is situated in a thriving community of artists and art industry professionals, designers and makers, and the area provides access to technical, sound and video equipment rental, and printing facilities.Local cafes provide meeting grounds throughout the day and after the many events and exhibitions that are held at the REEF.

This fellowship expressly encourages CalArts REEF residency participants to get involved in opportunities held at the building over the year and to propose their own exhibitions, symposia, events and readings. The REEF Residency participants are encouraged to be on site as much as possible. The chosen participants are not required to collaborate in making work over the duration of the residency, but they will be required to work together and collaborate on managing the studio space and for any events that are planned for the public.

 Eligibility

Alumni graduating in the year(s) 2021-2023 from the following programs:

  • School of Critical Studies: MA Aesthetics and Politics, MFA Creative Writing,
  • School of Art: MFA Art, Art & Technology, Graphic Design, and Photo & Media,
  • School of Film/Video: MFA Experimental Animation, MFA Film Directing, & the MFA Program in Film and Video

Resources & Details

The fellowship studio includes an 11,676 square foot open studio located on the 12th floor with basic studio furniture, water, and sinks. The Reef provides free parking and 24-hour access to the building 7 days per week. The use of each of the spaces must be negotiated with your fellow residents on arrival and throughout the year according to specific needs and projects. CalArts and the REEF will support any marketing of residents’ events to a wider public if desired. Each resident will receive a stipend of $5000 paid at the beginning of the fellowship to assist in studio set up costs or other relevant studio costs. Collaborative residences for duos are possible and the stipend would then be shared.

There are 9 awards: Three residencies each for alumni from graduate programs in the Schools of Art, Critical Studies and Film/Video.  Individual or collaborative applications are welcome.  Collaborative proposals can be across disciplines (or the three Schools) and all proposals should outline a proposed project or theme to be explored. Any collaborative proposals that cross Schools must be submitted to one School alone.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the application form answering each question as clearly as possible. Applications outlining the proposed use of the spaces and demonstrating an ability to work within a shared studio environment are preferred.

The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

Download REEF Application (PDF)

For alumni from the School of Art:

  • Please send your application in one pdf document to: reefapplications@calarts.edu
  • Email Subject heading: REEF RESIDENCY 2024.
  • Identify your name, the Program and the year you graduated on all application documents.

For alumni from the School of Critical Studies:

  • Please send your application in one pdf document to: csreefapplications@calarts.edu
  • Email Subject heading: REEF RESIDENCY 2024.
  • Identify your name, the Program and the year you graduated on all application documents.

For alumni from the School of Film/Video:

  • Please send your application in one pdf document to: filmvideo@calarts.edu
  • Email Subject heading: REEF RESIDENCY 2024.
  • Identify your name, the program and the year you graduated on all application materials.

Review Process

A committee made up of representatives from the three Schools will make the final decision.

Applicants will be notified of their status by early December 2023.

All successful applicants will be advertised on the CalArts website in a general press announcement, as well as other potential publications.

Agreement / Deposit

All residents upon appointment will be asked to sign a tenancy agreement taking on responsibility for any damage caused to the space or facilities and to be aware of the general health and safety regulations of the REEF building. Each resident will be required to pay a deposit of $500, which will be refunded following a building inspection of any damages caused at the end of the award.