John Michael Kohler Arts Center – Arts/Industry Residency (Due Feb. 28)
John Michael Kohler Arts Center – Arts/Industry Residency
Deadline: February 28th, 2026
For more than fifty years, Arts/Industry has been connecting artists with the resources, technology, and materials of Kohler Co., and providing a place to explore new ideas, processes, and perspectives. Artists from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. International artists are welcome and encouraged to apply as well.
Each year, up to twelve artists are selected for residencies in the Pottery or Foundry areas of the factory through a competitive jury process. No experience with clay or cast metal is required, just an interest in pursuing a new body of work and being open to new ideas.
Arts/Industry residencies are three months in length and divided into three cohorts. There are four artists-in-residence in each cohort—two in Pottery and two in Foundry. Residents are expected to commit to the full three-month period. Artists-in-residence receive 24-hour access to studio space, industrial materials, use of equipment, technical assistance, photographic services, housing, round-trip transportation, and a modest weekly stipend.
A stipend of $5000 is paid out across four equal payments. There are no stipulations or restrictions for using the stipend. We advise that artists-in-residence financially plan for an absence from home well in advance of their residency.
Arts/Industry encourages artists to work in their studios during the daily Monday –Friday factory tours so visitors are able to see the residency program in action. At the end of their residencies, artists are required to donate two of the works they created in the Arts/Industry program, one to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and one to Kohler Co. The artist-in-residence and program director decide together on the works to be donated.