Smack Mellon Studio Program 2027–28
Location: Smack Mellon, 92 Plymouth Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Open to: Emerging and early-career artists who are legal residents of New York City and have filed taxes in NYC for at least one year before the application deadline. Applicants must:
Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Be at least 18 years old.
Be residing in NYC during the application process and throughout the residency.
Not be enrolled in a degree program during the residency.
Demonstrate a need for studio space.
Not participate in another studio residency simultaneously.
Applicants should generally be within the first 2–10 years of their public artistic careers. Artists with established solo exhibitions at widely recognized galleries or institutions, consistent production opportunities, awards, and press recognition are not considered emerging.
Application Fee: Not specified in the official application information.
What’s Provided:
Free private studio space (approximately 250–300 square feet).
24-hour access to the studio.
Access to shared production facilities.
A stipend, depending on available funding.
Regular studio visits with New York City curators.
Public Open Studio events.
Fellowship support for all six selected artists.
Three of the six artists will receive New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellowships.
Van Lier Fellowship Eligibility: Applicants must be 30 years old or younger, identify racially and/or culturally with a historically underrepresented community, reside in NYC, be seriously dedicated to an arts career, and demonstrate financial need. Previous recipients of a Van Lier Fellowship from another organization are not eligible.
What the Artist Must Cover: Living accommodation is not provided. Other applicant expenses are not specified.
Duration: September 8, 2027 – August 8, 2028 (11 months).
Deadline: December 1, 2026.
Additional Notes:
Six artists will be selected.
Artists must actively use their studios for at least 50 hours per month.
Applicants may submit a maximum of 10 still images OR 2 videos and 5 still images.
Only one application per residency cycle is permitted.
Notifications will be sent in May 2027.
Applicants selected as finalists may be asked to provide a tax return as proof of NYC residency.
