Core Program - FAQ
How long is the residency and does it provide a stipend?
The residency term is 23 months (September 2025–July 2027). Fellows receive stipend distributions of $4,347.82 per month for the duration of their residency ($50,000 per year, $100,000 total). A reimbursement amount of up to $3,000 per year is also available to cover the cost of health insurance. The monthly stipend payment is provided without tax withholdings. Fellows will be responsible for any taxes due, including but not limited to, federal, state, and local taxes.
Do I need to live in Houston to apply?
No. The Core Residency Program is an international artist residency program—local, national, and international applicants are encouraged to apply. Priority consideration may be granted to a Harris County-based artist or critic when qualifications are comparable.
What is required of international applicants who are accepted to the Core Program?
Limited administrative support is available for successful international applicants seeking J-1 visas through the program’s partner organization, International Arts & Artists. No support is provided for other visa types. For more information, inquire with Core Residency Program coordinator Joe Eldredge at jeldredge@mfah.org.
Core activities are conducted in English. To fully participate and benefit from the program, we recommend that applicants be comfortable communicating in English. Please note that we are unable to offer translation services.
Am I a Harris County–based artist or critic?
The Core Residency Program sincerely believes that Houston is a place for emerging artists and critics, whether they arrive from elsewhere or are already based there. Selecting this designation is entirely optional. All other qualifications being equal, a Harris County–based artist or critic may receive additional consideration.
As of September 2025, if you have been a permanent resident of Harris County for at least two consecutive years within the past 10 years, you may choose to be considered a Harris County–based artist or critic. If you opt for this designation, please ensure that you answer question #5 as instructed in the application.
How does the program define “emerging”?
The program defines an emerging artist or critical writer as someone, regardless of age, who is actively exploring and experimenting with their style, mediums, or subject matter. They may not yet have a fully established or recognizable voice but show clear potential and commitment to their practice. Emerging artists and writers are generally early in their careers (fewer than 10 years). While they may have some exhibition or publication history, these experiences do not need to be extensive or high-profile. Typically, emerging artists do not have established commercial gallery representation or a consistent income from art sales.
What do you mean by "sustainable practice"?
For many years, the Core Residency Program has emphasized its support for emerging artists working to develop a sustainable practice. Question #2 in the application invites applicants to define what "sustainable practice" means to them—there is no wrong answer. This question helps both the jury and staff better understand the applicant's expectations should they enter the program.
Since the program’s inception at the end of the 20th century, the term “sustainable” has taken on new meanings. Candidates are not obliged to answer this question in terms of ecological or environmental sustainability.
Is a graduate degree required?
The Core Residency Program awards residencies to exceptional, highly motivated emerging artists and critical writers who are working to develop a sustainable practice, typically, but not always, between their advanced arts education and professional careers. Historically, Core Fellows have held postgraduate degrees, but we also welcome applications from artists and writers who have followed alternative pathways to skill-building and are actively interested in pushing the boundaries of their practice. Applicants should have experience developing a cohesive body of work grounded in a strong conceptual foundation and a desire to explore, refine, and articulate their artistic or critical voice.
For artists, technical proficiency in at least one art medium—such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, metals, or sculpture—or in expanded practices like communication design, time-based media, conceptual art, or social practice, is required. A strong familiarity with art history, theory, and criticism is preferred, as well as the ability to contextualize one’s work and engage in thoughtful critique from multiple perspectives.
Applicants should be comfortable with the norms of critical feedback and peer review, demonstrating the ability to both give and receive constructive feedback. A successful candidate will recognize that they are joining a community and do so with collegiality and generosity.
If accepted, do I need to be in Houston all the time?
Because the Core Residency Program is designed to encourage intensive engagement with an active peer group, the Glassell School of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Houston community, Core Fellows are required to reside in Houston. Traveling during the residency is not prohibited, but Core Fellows should prioritize their time in Houston to maximize the resources provided there.
We prioritize self-care and invite our residents to take a break for up to four weeks (28 days, consecutive or not) per year, provided that the time off does not coincide with mandatory events. Time away from Houston that exceeds this amount must be approved by the Dean of the Core Program. Residents may not be enrolled in other residencies during the 23-month term.
Does the Core Program provide living accommodations?
The Core Program does not provide living accommodations for residents, but there are affordable housing options near the Glassell School of Art, where the Core studios are located. Core staff can connect you with a free apartment locator.
What is Houston like?
Ranked among the top ten Most Diverse Big Cities in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Houston stands out as a city that is both dynamic and easygoing. Its vibrant food scene reflects its cultural diversity, complemented by world-class entertainment options. It is also budget-friendly, with “the third-lowest living costs among the most populous U.S. metro areas” (Greater Houston Partnership).
Houston's climate is classified as humid subtropical. Summers are hot, with August temperatures averaging 95°F (35°C), while winters are mild, with January temperatures averaging 63°F (17°C). The city occasionally experiences hurricanes during the June-to-November hurricane season.
Houston also boasts a rich, diverse arts community known for its collaborative and welcoming spirit. The city is home to several large arts and cultural institutions, alongside mid-sized and grassroots organizations that actively support and engage with Core Fellows. The Core Residency Program enhances the arts ecosystem through public lectures and a new series of early-career networking events designed for emerging arts professionals in Houston, fostering creative synergy and potential collaborations.
Do I need a car to live in Houston?
Having access to a car in Houston is encouraged, but not essential. Core Fellows receive free parking in the Glassell Garage.
Public transportation and ride sharing are effective alternatives if needed. The Glassell School of Art is a six-minute walk from the Museum District Station METRORail stop. Visit ridemetro.org for transit routes. A metro commuter subsidy is available upon request.
What kind of facilities and resources are available at the Glassell School of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston?
Fellows receive a private studio that ranges from 415 to 549 square feet with 17-foot ceilings. Fellows currently have access to their studios 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because the Core studios are located on a museum campus with specific security protocols, this schedule is subject to change with prior notice.
Fabrication studios at the Glassell School of Art can support painting, printmaking, digital and film photography, sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics in cooperation with department heads. Looking to develop a new skill? Fellows receive significant discounts on classes at the Glassell School of Art—the first two classes are free, and subsequent classes are 30% off.
Fellows are also invited to engage with other resources available at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which is ranked among the top 10 art museums in America (Washington Post). These resources include, but are not limited to, the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, extensive film program, two house museums for American and European decorative arts, a distinguished staff of museum professionals, and borrowing privileges at the Museum’s Hirsch Library and Rice University’s Fondren Library. Fellows also receive a free family-level membership to the MFAH, as well as discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all campus eateries.
What are my responsibilities as a Core Fellow?
The primary responsibility of a Core Fellow is to maintain a full-time creative and/or critical practice in their studio at the Glassell School of Art. Fellows are also expected to be engaged colleagues and active members of the Houston arts community. They fulfill this commitment by attending mandatory Core events, such as public lectures and studio visits, and by participating in at least five additional engagement opportunities per year, in consultation with the Dean. These opportunities may include providing guest critiques at the Glassell School, attending museum curator tours, or other activities that align with the fellows’ particular interests and skills.
In the spring of their first year, Core Fellows participate in a group exhibition, accompanied by a publication. In their second year, artists-in-residence will mount a solo exhibition or project, accompanied by a dedicated catalog. A modest production budget is provided for the exhibition. Critics-in-residence also participate in the exhibition and publication during their first year, but in their second, propose a project that supports their professional goals. Options may include organizing an exhibition or program at the Glassell School of Art or partnering with another Houston-based organization for an exhibition. Alternatively, they may use their production budget to fund a publication project, e.g. to secure image reproduction rights for an essay or to help print a publication under contract.
In their first year, fellows will give a public artist lecture and participate in open studios. In their second year, fellows will participate in open studios and give a gallery talk in conjunction with their solo project. All fellows are responsible for adhering to deadlines and instructions from Core staff and complying with institutional rules and regulations. Core Fellows will maintain regular informal contact with Core staff, and formal check-ins with the Dean will occur twice per year.
How are selections made for the Core Fellowship?
A jury of distinguished arts professionals, representing a range of backgrounds and mediums, selects Core fellows based on the strength of their submitted work and the potential for the residency in Houston to impact their practice. References are consulted for finalists, and a shortlist is invited for a virtual interview to help determine the final selection.
We recognize that selection processes can sometimes feel opaque, and we strive to make ours as transparent as possible. Decisions are based on the materials submitted by applicants and their considered responses to questions designed to give the committee a comprehensive understanding of their work and potential for success in the program. Applicants can strengthen their submissions by carefully reviewing information about the fellowship, contacting our staff with any clarifying questions, completing the application thoughtfully and thoroughly, and seeking feedback before submission from trusted colleagues or mentors.
Final determinations are also based on the composition of a balanced and dynamic cohort, which varies with each applicant pool. The pool of applicants (and jurors) shifts with each cycle, so we strongly encourage those not selected to apply again.