Open Call May 4th – June 12th, 2026
The Program
Since 2011, the Monira Foundation (formerly Mana Residencies) has awarded five artists each year with 12 months of rent-free, non-living studio space in Jersey City. Founded by Karline Moeller and Ysabel Pinyol Blasi, the residency is conceived as a sustained investment in time, space, and community for visual artists.
The Monira Foundation Artist in Residence Program provides established artists working in visual arts media with a large, private studio space for a full year of focused production and research. The program is designed to support rigorous studio practice within a dynamic environment of peers and visiting professionals.
Artists are selected for their demonstrated commitment to their practice and their ability to engage meaningfully within a shared studio community. The residency prioritizes sustained production, critical exchange, and long-term professional development.
Residents participate in structured studio visits with artists, curators, critics, and collectors at key points throughout the residency, creating opportunities for dialogue, feedback, and professional connection.
A stipend is provided for participation in the Studio Visits Program and full engagement in the residency. The stipend amount for the 2026–27 cycle will be announced in May (the 2025–26 stipend was $1,500).
In addition to studio space and visits, residents are featured across Monira’s public-facing communications and social media platforms throughout their residency.
Eligibility
The Monira Foundation Artist in Residence Program supports established visual artists working across media. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, be able to reside in the United States for the duration of the residency, and not be enrolled in a degree-granting program or participating in another residency during the term.
We welcome applications from artists working in all visual disciplines and encourage applicants with a strong understanding of their practice and its direction within a dedicated studio environment.
Applicants should be prepared to work independently within a self-directed studio context while actively engaging with visiting professionals and the broader Monira community.
Program Overview and Facilities
Selected artists are provided with a private studio of approximately 450 square feet. Each space includes a sink, worktable, chairs, ample natural light, multiple electrical outlets, and internet access. Studios are adaptable to a wide range of practices.