RESIDENCIES AT
THE NICHOLSON PROJECT

The Nicholson Project’s Residency Program provides artists with the time, space, and support needed to further their practice. Click here to meet our current and past residents.

Welcome to The Nicholson Project! 2310 Nicholson Street SE, Washington, DC is a historic home, thoughtfully renovated into a stunning studio space for a full-time residency. These pictures show you the Residency Suite for our 10-week In-House Residency.

The Nicholson Project was founded with a deep commitment to providing artists with the time, space, and support to create and further their practice. We want you to feel 100% supported during your time at Nicholson and beyond.

Our flagship residency program is our 10-week In-House Residency. As part of the In-House Residency award, you will receive the following:

• Time and space to create to include 10-weeks of on-site live and work space at The Nicholson Project (2310 Nicholson St. SE)

• $5,000 artist stipend

• Private access to the Residency Suite which includes an apartment inside of a converted row-house, with an artist studio attached. The apartment includes a fully furnished bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. See more details about the Residency Suite below.

• One-on-one support from staff

• Studio visits with a guest curators throughout your residency

• Introductions to artists, curators, and others you would like to meet for research related to your practice

• Promotional support (press releases for residency, social media promotion, etc)

• Professional documentation of your work and headshots

• Up to $2,000 and staff support to develop and implement a Residency Project. Residency Projects are optional and you must apply for this funding after you are accepted into the Residency Program. See details below.

DC and DC-regional artists may apply for our Local Artists Studio Residency (LASR). As part of the LASR award, you will receive the following:

• Six-eight months of shared studio space at The Nicholson Project (2310 Nicholson St. SE)

• $2,000 artist stipend

• Time and space to create

• Shared studio space (approximately 200 sq. ft. within a ~400 sq. ft. studio) with 24/7 access. A second artist will be using the other half of this studio.

• One-on-one support from staff

• Studio visits and introductions to artists, curators, and professionals throughout your residency as they relate to your practice

• Promotional support (press releases for residency, social media promotion, etc.)

• Professional headshots

• Culminating exhibition including a $1,000 exhibition stipend, exhibition design and installation support, documentation, and public programming (opening reception, artist talk, etc)

APPLICATION INFORMATION

WHO CAN APPLY?

In-House Residency: We welcome local, national, and international emerging, mid-career, and established artists.

Local Artist Studio Residency: This residency is for local artists who do not need living space. We give priority to DC artists first, followed by artists from the surrounding DC/DMV region, as long as they can commit to utilizing the studio space on a frequent basis.

Past residents have included filmmakers, mixed media artists, musicians, painters, photographers, poets, performance artists, printmakers, sculptors, textile artists, and social practice artists, among others. 

Applications are evaluated based on innovative and impactful concepts and practice, mastery of form and craftsmanship, how the program will benefit the artist’s growth, and their connection to Washington, DC and Southeast DC in particular.

HOW DO I APPLY?

We use Slideroom to receive and review applications. It is free to make an account. There is a $15 non-refundable application fee.

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

Applications for 2027 residencies are now open on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and will close 11:59pm on May 21, 2026. CLICK HERE to access the current application. Check back to this page or sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on The Nicholson Project’s activities.

WHEN WILL MY RESIDENCY BE?

In-House Residency: Each residency is 10 weeks, with the first session typically beginning mid to late January. Applicants are asked to indicate which periods they are available.

Local Artist Studio Residency: Each residency runs for six to eight months, with start date typically in February. Staff will work with selected artists to confirm final dates.

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS DUE?

Applications for 2027 residencies close on May 21, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

NOTIFICATION?

Notifications for the 2027 application cycle will be sent out by August 21, 2026. Please do not email staff asking about notifications before this date.

WHO CHOOSES THE RESIDENTS?

Residents are chosen by a selection committee, including Nicholson staff plus outside community members, stakeholders, curators, Nicholson residency alumni, and artists actively working in the arts community. This years panelists include Abbey Alison McClain, Shaunté Gates, and Oshun Layne.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the studios like?

In-House Residency: In-House residents are provided dedicated, private use to The Residency Suite, self-contained, fully furnished bedroom, 200 sq. ft. studio, bathroom, small kitchen, and washer/dryer. The Residency Suite is on the second floor of The Nicholson Project house; you can see a floor plan here. We have basic assets for the kitchen (stovetop, convection oven and microwave, full-size refrigerator, coffee maker and hot water kettle, pots and pans, dishes, etc). We also provide one set of towels and one set of bed linens, as well as a starter set of toilet paper, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies. Once selected you will receive a Residency Handbook that includes a full list of what we provide.

There is wifi and a small resource library with a growing collection of books recommended by previous and current Nicholson staff, artists, curators, and farmers.

You will need to bring all the equipment and supplies necessary to do your personal work. In the studio, we provide a large work table and stool, a writing desk and office chair, three rolling shelves/racks, a slop sink, and a basic black and white printer. We have a burgeoning collection of technology and other tools that you may request to have access to if they are available. We welcome residents to recommend supplies, equipment, or other needs so we can continue to build up the resources available to our artists. As mentioned, we will communicate with you prior to your arrival to see if we have access to the equipment you might need.

The Nicholson Project also runs a gallery on the first floor and a large, organic vegetable garden on the adjacent yard. In addition to the Residency Suite, on the second floor of the house is a staff office, and a second room that is used for storage, staff meetings, and on occasion is used as a second studio for visiting artists that are not living on-site. The Residency Suite is the only dedicated space for the Artist-in-Residence program. The staff offices/rooms and the storage areas, and the first-floor kitchen are not spaces for the residents to use. It’s important to understand that we have a variety of programs and activities going on year-round such as exhibitions, workshops, garden harvesting, etc, and while it is most often a quiet and peaceful place to work, we also have a vibrant schedule of activities and sometimes other people will be in the building working or our in the garden.

Local Artist Studio Residency: The LASR studio is located in a newly renovated building, behind to the main residency house. This former garage workshop is nestled within our 15-bed organic garden and connects to a second property which we are currently renovating into affordable artist studios. The 420 sq. ft. studio is be split between two artist, furnished with large work tables and chairs, shelving, and slop sink. Attached is a kitchen and restroom. 

What’s expected of me as a resident?

• One studio tour that is open to the public.

• One artist talk: in-person or virtual

• Regular studio visits and check-ins with our staff and guest curators; sharing in-progress artwork and allowing some photos and/or videos that we can share on our social media, newsletter, etc.

• There may be one or two additional activities we would like you to participate in, such as a small community dinner or reception. We will always let you know about these in advance.

• While you’re with us, there may be additional community dinners and other programs at The Nicholson Project that you are welcome to join but are not mandatory.
  

What are the fees?

None. Residents are responsible for their own transportation to and from The Nicholson Project, and throughout their residency.

How long are residencies? Is there flexibility around scheduling?

In-House Residency: Residencies are 10 weeks long and we have four residencies per year. While there is sometimes flexibility on start and end date of your residency, we do have set time frames we typically follow in order to fit in four residencies annually.

Local Artist Studio Residency: Residencies are 6 to 8 months long and we have 2 residents per year. Residencies begin in February and we will work together to find the exact start and end dates for your time with us.

Can IN-HOUSE RESIDENTS travel while IN residenCE? Can I work on other projects or be in exhibitions?

We get that taking two and a half months out of your life may be difficult. If you need to travel for an exhibition or pertinent obligations while you’re completing your residency, just let us know. Residents are expected to be present at least 75% of the time during their ten-week residency. Our biggest goal is to have a positive impact on you, on your practice, and on our community. How can we best set up your time here to do that? Communication is key.

Can In-House Residents apply with a collaborator?

Sure, as long as you can work in the same studio, and keep in mind we only have one bedroom (with one queen bed). We would need you to let us know when and how long your collaborator is coming for. If you’re applying with a collaborator, you need to mention this in your application. The artist stipend remains the same with or without a collaborator.

Is there a privacy policy?

Privacy & solitude is a key focus of ours. For In-House Residents, one of our requirements is that no one may visit your studio without being specifically invited by you to do so. If we need you or nee access to the Residency Suite, we’ll call, text, or email you first. For the Local Artist Studio Residency, while still mostly private, this is a shared studio space with another artist, and it is attached to utility kitchen and storage that is used by Nicholson staff, primarily for our Garden.

Are meals served?

No. For the In-House Residency, however, the studio space includes a full, a kitchenette with a cooktop, micro/oven combo, full refrigerator, and sink with disposal in your residence. In season, The Nicholson Project runs a large neighborhood garden. Residents are encouraged to be involved and share in the produce, depending on the time of year you are in residence.

Is there somewhere I can do my laundry?

For In-House Residents only, there is a washer and dryer available on site for use anytime, free of charge.

Are there any safety concerns?

No, but be aware that you are in a residential neighborhood in a bustling city. You will need to use common sense and your own discretion.

Residency Projects FAQ (In-House Residents Only)

• Are Residency Projects required as part of my residency? No

• What is a Residency Project? Residency Projects can be on-site or off-site activations, performances, or community-focused engagement projects to be completed within the timeframe of your residency. We are open and flexible, but we do have a limited budget and small staff, so we are committed to funding projects that work to fulfill our mission.

• Can the Residency Project be a gallery exhibition? For the most part, the answer is no. Our exhibitions are organized by our staff and through an open call. We have found that the time you are in residence is rarely enough time to fully develop and create an exhibition, as well as properly promote and handle all of the behind-the-scenes logistics. If you do want to do an exhibition as your residency project, we may consider this in certain cases (i.e. where you use your entire residency to build a site-specific installation). Feel free to email us if you have any questions.

• How does this work? After you are selected as an In-House Artist-in-Residence, you are then eligible to propose a Residency Project. Proposals are due October 1st of the year prior to your residency (i.e. if your residency is in 2027, then your proposal is due no later than October 1, 2026). Proposals should include a description of the project, any images, sketches, etc that might support your idea, and a budget. Our staff will review and then schedule a meeting to talk through any questions.

• Is there funding for the Residency Projects? Yes, you will need to submit a budget proposal for up to $2,000. Budgets should include line items and a breakdown of expenses. Examples of allowable expenses include fees for collaborating artists or speakers, contractors (i.e. if you want this to be documented then include the cost of the videographer, if you need fabricators to help build a structure, dancers, musicians, etc), materials, equipment purchase, or rental. You may not use this budget to pay yourself. We have a small inventory of tech equipment such as projectors, speakers, a camera, etc. If your budget includes purchasing certain equipment, note that The Nicholson Project will be the owner of this equipment.