Artist Call: Reuse Artist in Residency Program
Apply today to be ACR’s very first Reuse Artist in Residence
Artwork Credit: Barbara Paris, What Goes Around (2025) - On display at Austin Creative Reuse
Applications close: Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 11:59PM
We’re delighted to announce the launch of Austin Creative Reuse’s first Reuse Artist in Residency! This is a program we’ve been dreaming about for many years, and now with the support of an Elevate Grant from Austin Arts, Music, Culture & Entertainment (ACME), we are excited to pilot this program with our community, starting later this summer.
ACR’s Reuse Artist in Residency (RAIR) program exists to:
Support, promote, and raise up reuse artists in the Austin community
Expand opportunities for the public to learn about reuse art, experience reuse art up-close, and meet the reuse artists working in their communities
Inspire the public to consider the deep connection between art and environmental care, conversation, and activism
We’re looking for reuse artists who are interested in sharing their work with our community. We are open all mediums, so long as reuse plays a strong role in your past work and the work you propose to complete during your residency (at least 50% of your materials should be reused). We welcome applications from local reuse artists of all kinds, including emerging artists. No prior residency experience is required.
Sound like you or someone you know? Scroll down for all the details.
How It Works
Residency Term: August 15 - December 15, 2026
Open Studio Days
Artist will host at least one open studio day per month of the residency (four total), where the public will be invited to come watch the artist work and learn more about their work, process, inspiration, and more. Open studio days are designed to be interactive, with the artist sharing about their work and attendees asking questions, etc.
Open studio days will take place in the classroom at our creative reuse center (2005 Wheless Lane, Austin 78723). Dates will be agreed with the artist after selection. Weekends are generally preferred, but not required.
Special Events
Artist will host or participate in at least four special events that are open to the public during the residency period (approximately, one per month). Event types and dates will be determined with the selected artist and centered around the artist’s medium and interests.
Artist may choose from hosting an Artist Talk, having a presence at our 2026 Reuse on the Runway fashion show (Saturday, October 17, 2026), having a presence at our Holiday Reuse Art Market (late November / early December 2026), or hosting a public workshop for kids and/or adults or an exhibition for the community. Artists may also propose other events in their application or after selection. At least one public event must be a workshop.
Display & Donate Artwork
Artist will display works created during the residency at ACR (for the duration of the residency) and donate one piece of their choice created during the residency to ACR.
Note that unlike a traditional artist residency, the selected artist will not have a permanent studio at ACR during the residency period and is not required to work at ACR except during the selected open studio days.
Only one reuse artist will be chosen for this initial pilot. If the program is successful - and long term funding is secured - we hope to continue the program in 2027 and beyond.
Artist Compensation
The selected reuse artist will receive a $5000 cash stipend (payable in installments throughout the residency), plus a budget of up to $750 for materials, including materials sourced from ACR (preferred) and new materials sourced from elsewhere (as needed).
There will be no reimbursement for travel costs or housing. The selected artist must live within a commutable distance from ACR.
The selected artist will also receive promotion on ACR’s social media platforms (56,000 followers), in digital newsletters (12,500 subscribers), and with in-center signage (more than 7000 visitors per month). Promotion may include links to purchase artwork if the artist offers work for sale.
Expected Timeline
Applications Due: Sunday, July 12, 11.59PM
Award Made: Monday, July 20, 2026
Residency Begins: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Residency Ends: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Thank you for considering answering this Call for Artists to help us bring this exciting new program to life. We look forward to receiving your application.
Questions? Please reach out to us at artists@austincreativereuse.org.
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.