Loisaida Artists in Residence Program (LAIR)

LAIR
1. a place where a wild animal lives, especially a fierce or dangerous one.

The Loisaida Artists in Residence (LAIR) offers contemporary and emerging artists, including collectives, the opportunity to create work that bridges generations, cultures, and communities. We particularly welcome projects that reflect a Latinx sensibility across disciplines such as music, theater, performance art, poetry, contemporary dance, visual arts, creative writing, and cultural research.

What We Offer

  • Stipend and Material Support: A stipend covers project materials and related expenses, freeing artists to focus on creative development.

  • Workspace Access: Dedicated rehearsal and creative spaces are available, including access to Loisaida’s media and technology resources.

  • Public Engagement Events: Artists engage with the community in their process through monthly public events, such as artist talks, flash exhibits, or story circles. These engagements foster communal bonds and highlight local history, aspirations, and creative potential.

  • Project Presentations: Residencies often culminate in an exhibition and/or short performance series inspired by shared stories, images, and objects drawn from residency interactions

Community and Impact

Artists and community members co-create in a mutual learning environment, building lasting, symbiotic relationships that extend beyond the residency. LAIR promotes socially engaged art and contributes to neighborhood revitalization through accessible contemporary practices.

Residency Themes

Reflecting the dynamic identity of the Lower East Side, LAIR focuses on themes like place-keeping, global connection, displacement prevention, cultural memory, mobilization, sovereignty, and territory. The program explores the experiences and histories of native, migrant, and immigrant communities within Loisaida and beyond.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling, open‑call basis. Interested artists should complete the online application form. To apply, please fill out this form.

The selected proposals include components in which artists and the community nurture one another in a symbiotic education and art creation process to share their work and inspire conversation and innovation throughout the residency. Loisaida’s artistic residency program will award a stipend to the recipient to cover project materials and related expenses. It will provide space for rehearsal/practice/creation while organizing supporting events and/or activities open and accessible to the larger community.

The ability to change has always been connected to the im/migrants that have populated the Lower East Side. Thus, there is a focus on affecting new thinking inside a re-connected and/or disconnected community that seeks to create change. Is the connection or disconnection between native, migrant, and immigrant communities a “place” or “territory” to be explored?

LAIR recipients can use different areas throughout our facilities, including the new Media and Technology resources to support their project goals. Always opening the development or rehearsal process of the project to the Loisaida community, providing opportunities for creative and civic engagement.

Past residents include:

Loisaida Artistic Residency Program This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Stonewall Foundation, Ford Foundation, the MOSAIC Foundation of the New York Community Trust and the Howard Gilman Foundatio, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul in partnership with the New York State Arts Council, NYSCA.¡Gracias!