Installation Residency

Overview for FALL 2026 Kutztown University Residency & Installation applications: 

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is seeking proposals for a site-specific immersive gallery installation piece, culminating after a 4 week in person artist residency.  

This artist residency provides artists with opportunities to dive deeply into their artistic research, practice, and creative endeavors. We encourage proposals from artists, crafts persons, and designers for the production of this original, temporary, site-specific installation for our university's primary exhibition space. International artists are eligible for this residency. We cannot offer visa sponsorships for this opportunity.   

The selected artist (or artist team) will receive $10,000 (in installments, see below). The payment to the artist must cover all material and labor costs associated with the production of the work : all materials and manufacturing costs, meals, advanced tech items, transportation costs, housing, and all artist fees and honoraria. No additional funding will be provided beyond the $10,000 stipend.  

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania (between NYC and Philadelphia). The focus for this artist residency is to connect working artists and students in the creation of an immersive space. During the residency, artists are expected to explore the opportunities for collaboration within a variety of entities in the Kutztown university and community (depending on subject matter and when appropriate: cross dept collaborations, outreach to local schools, community programs, etc.) 

Kutztown is one hour north of Philadelphia and two hours west of New York City, and has an enrollment of 6,000+ students. Each year, our College of Visual and Performing Arts awards over 200 undergraduate degrees in Communication Design, Animated Arts, Cinema & Television Production, Studio Art, Art History, Art Education; and graduate degrees in Communication Design, and Art Education. Our Visual Arts programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. 

Important Dates: 

Applications open:

November 20 , 2025 in Slideroom (no fee)

https://kuva.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/87173

Applications close:

Feb 19, 2026 

Finalists contacted:  

by March 16, 2026 

Artist announced:

April 15, 2026 

On-site residency/exhibition installation:

Monday Sept 14 – Thursday Oct 8, 2026 

Exhibition opens:

Thursday Oct 8, 11am reception 

Exhibition open to the public:

Oct 8 – Dec 6,  2026

De-installation:

Dec 7 – 13, 2026 

 

Mission Statement:

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery of Kutztown University provides opportunities for contemporary artists to serve the campus and local community through interdisciplinary artistic works. The Miller Art Gallery presents significant and professionally executed solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art in a variety of mediums and supports programs, events, and services that will directly enhance the artistic and philosophical development of our students and local communities. We strive to challenge assumptions and stimulate discussions by presenting artwork and programs relevant to contemporary social and cultural life. 

For past exhibitions, visit: Miller Gallery Past Exhibitions

For more detailed catalogs of past exhibitions, visit:  Miller Gallery Past Exhibitions - Issuu

Institutional Support 

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania will: 

• Produce and distribute press-releases and exhibition announcements about the project 
• Coordinate and assist with press appearances and interviews 
• Publicize the project on the gallery and university's web sites and local media 
• Publicize and coordinate a public lecture by the selected artist 
• Host a public reception for the artist and project 
• Provide access to student assistants 
• Provide installation tools and assistance 
• Provide vinyl wall text title for the exhibition 
• Provide access to a limited amount of tools and machines 
• Oversee the publication of a catalog 

This is not a collaborative project between the artist(s) and the gallery. The artist(s) is solely responsible for completing all creative and technical aspects of their project. The gallery can only provide the support and benefits detailed above. 

Criteria for Selection 

Proposed artwork can be realized in any medium and there are no restrictions on form or content. However, proposals that demonstrate innovation and deep, nuanced understanding of contemporary art, craft, or design are preferred. Proposals must be for a site-specific installation and must differ greatly from a proposal for a solo exhibition. Preference will be given to proposals that have a strong student involvement component. Previously completed artwork may be incorporated into the final exhibition but must not comprise the majority of the exhibition. Applications that include water, soil, live objects, advanced tech, or exceptionally heavy items will need additional conversations.

The committee includes seven representatives from the Visual Arts departments at Kutztown University. All members review the applications individually and rate the proposals from 1-10. 3-5 artists receiving the highest ratings are chosen as the finalists. Each finalist will be contacted for further discussions, and one will be recommended and contacted for contract negotiations. 

All proposals will be reviewed for overall artistic merit, impact on the experience of our students & community, feasibility within the established time-frame and budget, artist's demonstration of ability to complete such a project (as evidenced by past projects or a detailed work plan and budget for the KU project), and the relationship of the project to the gallery's mission.  

Gallery’s Mission Statement:  

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery of Kutztown University presents significant and professionally executed solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art in a variety of mediums as well as supporting programs, events, and services that will directly enhance the artistic and philosophical development of our students and will contribute to the lives of residents within our service area. We strive to challenge assumptions and stimulate discussion by presenting artwork and programs relevant to the social and cultural life of the general and special populations in our region. 

Other criteria that the committee may consider : 

• Artist’s education and professional background 
• History of solo/group exhibitions 
• Experience accomplishing a large scale projects 
• Experience in an academic environment (teaching, lecturing, and/or exhibiting) 
• Consideration of subject matter and materials in relation to the past/future exhibits planned in the gallery 

Space Description 

The gallery space is 59’10.5” long by 39’8” wide. The floor is bamboo over concrete slab. The outer surrounding wall height is 10’5”. The walls are drywall over plywood nail base. The space above the outside walls is painted black to conceal the HVAC and mechanicals. The space is illuminated by up to 75, 100-watt track lights in dimmers (four circuits). The walls are broken by 24” diameter engaged metal columns (columns cannot be drilled into). Distance between columns are indicated on the diagram. 

There are 6 modular wall units, 8’ high x 8’wide x 2’ deep, that can be positioned within the space. The walls cannot be tipped over and used on the floor, but they can all be removed from the space. 

There are several ladder sizes available, but we do not have a lift or scaffolding. 

Floors: The floors are bamboo wood over concrete. Artists may not drill into the floors. The floors are very susceptible to water damage. Floors cannot be sanded or painted. 

Ceiling: The maximum ceiling height is approximately 15’. It also contains many hanging ducts, light tracks, and sprinkler pipes. It is not permitted to hang anything off these components. There are cement board covers over I beams every 6’, that run across the width of the gallery ceiling. Heavy-duty anchors have been placed in the cement board every 6 feet. Each anchor can hold approximately 20 pounds. 

Entrance: The entry to the gallery is through two glass doors that open into a 25’ drywalled hallway. There is a light track here and artwork/installation may go into this space as well. This wall is floor to ceiling windows that look upon the courtyard. It is a highly visible space to university pedestrians. Window film or other window artwork is encouraged. There is a gallery reception area with a curved desk where a reception attendant sits, and curved wall behind the desk (drywall) that can be used for hanging. Vinyl wall text for the exhibit is often on either the curved wall or the long corridor wall. 

Windows: There are no windows in the main gallery space but there are floor to ceiling windows in the corridor outside the gallery. The windows are treated with a UV filter film. Natural light does flood the gallery and it is challenging to completely darken the space. There are black out curtains that can be drawn across the front three arches, if your project requires a darkened space, please mention this is your proposal. 

Loading Dock: The gallery has a loading dock that is level with the bed of a semi-trailer truck (18 wheeler/big rig). If delivering in a normal sized box truck or vehicle, the materials will have to lifted manually onto the dock; a pallet jack will only be useful once items are lifted onto the loading dock. Materials can be no wider than our double doors measurements of 67" wide, 92" high.  There is ample gallery storage in this area for storing materials during the installation and duration of the exhibit. 

Tech available: Two 55” Roku Digital TVs & one digital projector 

Please see our 3D tours to get a better sense of the space: Miller Gallery 3D Tours 

Gallery Dimensions

Payment 

The selected artist will be paid a $10,000 stipend for this project. These funds may be awarded in three phases. The project must be complete to receive the last payment. The funds are not awarded in one lump sum before the project is completed, you are not considered a university employee during this time, no taxes are taken out. 

This payment must cover all costs associated with the production of the piece, all labor and materials fees, transportation, housing for the artist (and any assistants you hire that are non-KU students). Dorm housing is available (includes mattress, private bathroom, and small kitchenette, nothing else is included.)

Other Details:

Student Collaborations: This artist in residence is a core part of the curriculum at KU, providing access and mentoring opportunities for students in all the visual art majors. Artists are expected to interact and involve the students in as many ways as possible, but take note that their availability and skill set is limited.  Please include your ideas for student involvement in your plan.  

Transportation Details: Philadelphia or New York is the closest large metropolitan city. The Allentown airport is 30 minutes away. 

Housing Details: Artists are required to be on campus Monday – Friday (this is flexible). Travel back and forth to the artists permanent home is permitted if possible and needed if it does not interfere with the student mentorship aspect of this experience. Artist(s) will have 24/7 accessibility to the gallery but using the space or other public/private university locations for sleeping is not permitted. For local options please check Kutztown Hampton Inn, AirBNB.com, and Verbo.com.  Private dorm rooms are available but limited and offer no ammenities.

Lecture: A public lecture will be required, in a university lecture hall. This lecture and slide show should cover the artist’s education and inspiration, past work, research and techniques, exhibition history, and any other career insights.

Sales: Any inquiries for the sale of artwork in this exhibition will be directed to the artist. The university does not take a fee or percentage, nor does it contribute to any sales negotiations. 

Images: Kutztown University will request an image courtesy credit for any images of the installation used by the artist in the future. KU students are available to assist with professional photography and documentation of the installation process and final images. The catalog published (after the residency) can be comprised of images taken by both students and the artist, and the artist will receive proofs and input on design and content suggestions prior to printing. Depending on the project this may be in pdf form or in print. 

Contract Details 

As per required by the State System of Higher Education in Pennsylvania, a service contract must be signed by the artist or artist team and fully executed by the signatories of the PA State System prior to the start of any work. If the artist does irreparable harm to the gallery while pursuing unapproved installation methods, the artist will be liable for repair fees. The artist is responsible to have their own appropriate personal or commercial liability insurance to cover any and all liability and/or expenses, that may occur as a result of injury sustained to you or damage to University premises while rendering your services at Kutztown University. At any time during the contract negotiations, if the committee feels the project cannot be executed as proposed, the university has the right to withdraw the offer. The contract is not considered fully executed until signed by the artist and the designated signatories of the PA System of Higher Education. 

Proposal Requirements:

SLIDE ROOM APPLICATION: there is no fee associated with submissions 

SLIDE ROOM LINK: https://kuva.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/87173

APPLICATIONS DUE: FEBRUARY 20, 2025 

1. Description of proposed Installation project 
2. Description of collaborative possibilities 
3. Images of your installation imagined in the space (can be hand drawn or digitally created) 
4. Installation Budget proposal 
5. Production schedule for Installation 
6. Artist resume including past installations and exhibitions 
7. Examples of past work 

Frequently Asked Questions

Any further questions can be sent to the Gallery Director, Karen Stanford 
stanford@kutztown.edu