Description

This is a communal space—there are no private studios. Residents work in proximity to others, within a culture of shared making, conversation, and exchange. The rhythm of the studio is shaped by hands at work: weaving, stitching, repairing, dyeing—slow, repetitive processes that open space for both focus and dialogue.

We are best suited for artists who are able to work independently and are comfortable navigating shared tools and resources. While the studio is rich with equipment, we do not offer a technique-based residency. There is no formal instruction; instead, learning happens through observation, proximity, and conversation.

What this residency offers is immersion—into a community, into process, into time. Residents are invited to engage with the Cloth Collaborative community and the broader Boston art landscape: meeting artists, sharing ideas, and participating in a living network of material practice. The studio includes a large, plant and light-filled communal area that supports informal critique, gathering, and the kind of conversations that emerge through making side by side.

Residents may also choose to participate in an optional public offering during their stay—such as an open studio, informal conversation, artist talk, or small workshop—as a way of sharing their work and engaging with the community. This is not required, but is welcomed as part of the spirit of exchange that defines the Cloth Collaborative.

We are seeking artists with an active, contemporary practice who are interested in working within a shared studio and living environment, and whose work resonates with the mission of the Cloth Collaborative. While a strong connection to textile practices is important, textiles do not need to define an artist’s entire practice; rather, they should be meaningfully present within the work.

We are committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment, and we encourage applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—especially those who have historically been underrepresented in the arts.

Residency Details

Duration: October 17 – November 1, 2026 (2 weeks)

Number of Residents: One

Accommodations

The resident will stay in a private room on the third floor of an artist's family home located approximately 1.4 miles from the studio. The resident will share a bathroom and kitchen with members of the household and will have access to a bicycle for transportation.

Please note: the home includes a dog and two cats.

Eligibility

• Open to artists 22 years and older 

• Must reside in New England, New York, or Pennsylvania 

• Applicants may not be matriculated students during the residency period 

Selection Process

Residents are selected through an open call. The review panel includes members of the Cloth Collaborative as well as regional fiber artists and arts administrators.

Finalists will be invited to a Zoom conversation with the director of the Cloth Collaborative and the homeowner.

Selection is based on:

1. Strength of work and commitment to a contemporary textile practice 

2. Alignment with the mission of the Cloth Collaborative 

3. Willingness and ability to live and work in a shared, communal environment 

Financial Support

We can offer a small stipend of $1,000.00

Fees

There is no fee for participation, studio use, or housing.
Residents are responsible for travel, materials, and meals.