Residencies in the World

Photo Credit: Lin Shih-Chieh

Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI)

During SFAI’s monthly Open Studios events, members of the public have an opportunity to engage with our resident artists. Here, resident artist Bertha Aguilar Garcia explains her work to two SFAI supporters.
Changing Climate resident Saskia Jorda working in her private studio at SFAI.
Changing Climate residents Paul Sta. Ana, Su-Yee Lin, Janaki Ranpura, and Yen-Chen Wu enjoy a resident field trip to Bandelier National Monument.
Front entrance of SFAI’s facility.
SFAI staff and resident artists sharing a meal in our beautiful courtyard.
SFAI’s art library.
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Location USA / Santa Fe
Established 1985
Tel +1 505 424 5050
Email info@sfai.org
Website Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI) Website
Address 1600 St. Michaels Drive 87505 Santa Fe United States of America

Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI), since its establishment in 1985, has been dedicated to the transformative power of art. Over the years, SFAI has engaged with thousands of artists and community members, fostering creativity and dialogue. Its mission remains constant: to explore the intersection of contemporary art and society, elevate public discourse on art, and support artists at all stages of their careers.


From its inception, SFAI aimed to bring renowned artists to Santa Fe for one-month residencies. Notable figures like Richard Diebenkorn, John Baldessari, and Helen Frankenthaler contributed to its growth. SFAI challenged traditional art institutions, emphasizing artists' voices over outdated labels.


In the '90s, SFAI provided housing and studios for visiting artists, and it found its permanent home in 1999. This period marked a hub for art creation with strong local support.


In recent years, SFAI has been addressing global issues through art, eliminating residency fees for artists from marginalized communities, and promoting social justice. The institution transformed into a platform for artists to explore critical issues, embodying values of equity and inclusion.


The closure of the Santa Fe University of Art and Design (which shared a campus with SFAI) in 2018 led to the creation of the Midtown Arts Alliance, which seeks to redevelop the old SFUAD campus to build a vibrant and creative cultural hub in the center of Santa Fe, with a mission to improve lives through art, design, education, service, and entrepreneurship.


SFAI envisions a future where art shapes society and fosters critical public discourse. In 2020, they engaged over 1,500 community members, hosted artists from 38 disciplines and 21 countries, supported local Story Maps Fellowships, launched international SFAI Alumni Trips, and activated the Midtown Site.


SFAI's 38-year journey, led by directors, staff, trustees, artists, and community members, has exemplified the transformative power of art in Santa Fe and beyond.


Each year, SFAI's Thematic Residency Program encourages artists from diverse backgrounds, both local and global, to participate. This program supports creative practices that tackle intricate social issues, foster personal growth, and contribute to collective efforts.


SFAI promotes interdisciplinary thinking and creative exploration by offering esteemed fellowships and scholarships to individuals from various backgrounds. These opportunities are made possible through foundation and governmental partners like the Ford Foundation, Fulbright Foundation in Greece, 3Arts, and the Taiwan Ministry of Culture.


Sourced from:Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI)
Edited by: Brix

Facilities

Number of Residents Generally SFAI accepts 50-75 artists each year who come for varying durations of one to three months throughout the year. There are an average of 12 artists in residence together each month.
Studio Type There are 12 semi-private work studios, and each equipped with a desk, a chair, and a task lamp. Additionally, SFAI provides some basic tools, including drill/drivers and bits, hand tools, miscellaneous hardware, measuring tapes, rulers, scissors.
Other Facilities The facility is ADA compliant, situated in a single-story building with no steps, and offers various accessibility features such as outdoor paved pathways with ramps to accessible parking, automatic door operators, barrier-free common areas, two accessible rooms with spacious living areas and accessible bathrooms, gender-neutral public bathrooms, and accommodation for service animals. Additionally, the facility has a van with a wheelchair lift.

The rooms come furnished with a private bathroom and linens, and residents have access to communal living and working spaces, free laundry facilities, building-wide high-speed internet, and provided bicycles with helmets, bike locks, and a tire pump.

Transportation

Nearest Airport Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ)
Nearest Station Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops daily at Lamy, about 18 miles south of Santa Fe. The RoadRunner Shuttle takes passengers from Lamy to Santa Fe.
Driving Instructions When exiting the Albuquerque International Sunport, follow signs to I-25 North. Santa Fe is approximately 60 miles north of Albuquerque.