Artist Residencies & Studio Programs in Miami
Miami has evolved into a dynamic cultural hub with a flourishing ecosystem of artist residencies and studio programs that support creators at various stages of their careers. From prestigious museum-affiliated programs to community-focused spaces, the city offers diverse opportunities for visual, performing, literary, and multidisciplinary artists.
Major Artist Residency Programs
1. Fountainhead Residency
Founded by collectors Dan and Kathryn Mikesell in 2008, Fountainhead Residency operates year-round, welcoming 24 artists annually for month-long residencies in a 1950s home in the historic Morningside neighborhood. The program has become one of Miami’s most established residencies, having hosted over 580 visual artists from 50 countries.
What Artists Receive:
- Roundtrip airfare, living and working accommodations, and a stipend
- Personal introductions to nationally recognized curators, collectors, and gallerists for one-on-one studio visits
- Access to multiple work spaces including a 400 sq ft garage and two approximately 600 sq ft open space areas inside the main house, plus Fountainhead Studios with spaces as large as 900 square feet
- Access to paddleboards, kayaks, and bikes to explore the beautiful nature surrounding the residence
- Connections with attorneys, financial professionals, and business consultants for entrepreneurial guidance
- Monthly public open houses where visitors can meet artists and view their work
Application Process: Each year hosts an Open Call limited to 300 applications, with alumni nominations and collaborative selections through cultural partners. A Curatorial Committee reviews applications and makes final selections.
2. Oolite Arts
Founded in 1984 and formerly known as ArtCenter/South Florida, Oolite Arts serves as a nonprofit resource for the advancement of contemporary visual arts and culture in Miami. The organization has supported numerous artists who have become established names, including Teresita Fernandez and Edouard Duval-Carrié.
Studio Residency Program:
- Free studio space at the organization’s headquarters on Miami Beach with 24-hour access
- Studio Residents who have lived in Miami-Dade County for at least two years receive the Knight Artist Housing Stipend of $12,000 annually, plus an additional $3,000 from Oolite Arts, totaling $15,000
- One-year residency term (January-December)
- Exhibition opportunities and networking with local, national, and international curators
- Requirements include 15 hours per week in studio and participation in exhibitions and public programming
Live.In.Art Residency:
- A 475 sq ft studio apartment in South Beach, with residents paying $600 per month plus electricity and WiFi (Oolite subsidizes 2/3 of the monthly rent)
- One-year term from January to December
- Located one block from Oolite Arts main office on Lincoln Road
Future Development: Award-winning architecture firm Barozzi Veiga is designing a new 26,850 square foot campus with 21 artist studios, exhibition areas, and a makerspace for experimentation.
3. Deering Estate Artist-in-Residence Program
Established in 2006, the Deering Estate AIR program has hosted over 150 residencies spanning diverse contemporary and traditional practices. Located at a historic 444-acre waterfront estate, the program supports visual, literary, performing, and cross-disciplinary artists.
Program Details:
- Studio residencies offer designated studios with access from 7 am to 7 pm, with no rental or utility fees. Studios have an estimated value of up to $1,000 per month
- Each studio has electricity, air conditioning, and a bathroom including a sink and shower
- Both studio residencies and non-studio project residencies available
- Residency periods range from 2 to 12 months
- Applications accepted through August 31 for residencies beginning as early as January 1
- Access to the estate’s eight distinct ecosystems, historic library, historic houses, and exhibition spaces
Important Note: The program does not provide cash stipends, honorariums, living accommodations, transportation, or food costs. Artists are responsible for their own tools and materials.
4. Rubell Museum Artist-in-Residence
Established in 2011 and supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Rubell Museum’s artist-in-residence program provides early-career artists with a six-week to three-month residency. This is one of the most prestigious and high-profile residencies in the country.
Program Highlights:
- The residency culminates in a year-long solo presentation at the Rubell Museum Miami
- New works created during the residency are acquired into the museum’s collection of more than 7,700 contemporary artworks
- Participants have been selected through the Rubells’ ongoing relationship building and studio visits
- Past residents include Sterling Ruby, Amoako Boafo, Lucy Dodd, and Kennedy Yanko
Notable Achievements: The program has helped launch careers of artists who have gone on to major museum exhibitions and significant market success.
5. Miami Dade College — En Residencia
Launched in May 2021, En Residencia is a membership-based artist residency program at the Koubek Center open to local artists working across a broad range of disciplines.
Program Structure:
- Membership fee of $200, valid for one year
- Access to classrooms and limited studio space ranging from approximately 400-750 square feet, available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8 pm
- Artists may block spaces for up to 2 months per project, with a maximum of 2 projects per year
- Residents participate in Koubek Center programs and activities
- Applications typically accepted annually through April or May
Community Focus: The program aligns art with activism and centers on engaging the historic Little Havana neighborhood. Past residents have included multidisciplinary artists, filmmakers, dancers, sound sculptors, and puppeteers.
Notable Studio Spaces and Artist Support Organizations
Bakehouse Art Complex
Founded in 1985 by artists seeking affordable studio space, Bakehouse Art Complex is a nonprofit organization housed in a historic Art Deco bakery building in Wynwood. It has become a cornerstone of Miami’s artist community.
Facilities and Programs:
- 62 indoor and outdoor studios at below-market prices starting at $13.20/ft² on a 2.3-acre campus, with rents ranging from $305 to $1,315 per month
- Full and partial scholarships available for artists demonstrating financial need
- Two exhibition galleries (Swenson and Audrey Love), plus production facilities for photography, printmaking, woodworking, ceramics, and welding
- 24/7 facility access for resident artists
- Summer Artist Open program providing free studio spaces for a 12-week residency
- Open Studios events twice annually where the public can meet artists
Community Impact: Bakehouse began inviting street artists to decorate exterior walls in 1986, decades before the Wynwood Walls initiative. The complex houses approximately 100 artists and serves as a vital cultural hub.
Oolite Arts Cinematic Arts Residency
Now in its 7th year, the Cinematic Arts Residency offers one first-time Miami filmmaker $50,000 to complete a narrative micro-budget feature, along with access to shared studio space and production support. This unique program enables local filmmakers to create, shoot, and screen their films entirely within Miami.
Little Haiti Cultural Complex
The Little Haiti Cultural Complex, which opened in 2006, serves as the center of artistic life in this historic Miami neighborhood. While not a formal residency program, it provides crucial support for local artists.
Facilities and Programs:
- A 2,150 square foot gallery with climate control and museum-quality lighting, facilitating up to seven professionally curated art exhibits per year
- 300-seat proscenium theater with professional sound and lighting systems
- Dance practice space for groups like Delou Africa and Tradisyon Lakou Lakay
- Classes in traditional drums, horns, screen printing, folk dance, and more
- Monthly “Sounds of Little Haiti” concert series featuring Haitian music
- The complex sees more than 100,000 visitors annually
The Impact of Miami’s Artist Residency Ecosystem
Miami’s artist residency and studio programs reflect the city’s commitment to supporting creative professionals at all career stages. From fully-funded international programs like Fountainhead to affordable membership options like En Residencia, these opportunities provide essential resources including studio space, professional development, exhibition opportunities, and community engagement.
The Knight Foundation has been instrumental in supporting multiple programs, including Oolite Arts’ housing stipend and the Rubell Museum residency, addressing Miami’s affordability challenges while nurturing local talent. Together, these programs have helped establish Miami as a significant center for contemporary art, attracting international artists while supporting the growth and sustainability of the local creative community.
Whether seeking a prestigious museum affiliation, affordable workspace, or community-centered support, artists in Miami have access to a diverse range of residency and studio opportunities that continue to shape the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.
