The Freehold Art Exchange Residency is an opportunity for visual and interdisciplinary artists invested in social justice, environmental sustainability, and community engagement to have a space to create work and build community in a quiet rural environment.
How do I apply?
You can find all the instructions and guidelines for applying here.
What kind of artists have done the residency in the past?
We accept applications from emerging, mid-career and professional artists. There are no publication or exhibition history requirements for selection. While we accept proposals from visual and interdisciplinary artists, we tend to select artists who are interested in social justice, environmental sustainability, alternative trade economies, and community building.
FAEx encourages artists of all backgrounds to apply for admission. We do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, disability, HIV status, or veteran status.
It may help to look at some of our past artists. You can find information about them here.
What is the space like?
If you check out our blog, you will see photos of the barn and residency house. There is an old farmhouse also on the property (which you may encounter first as you arrive). This is the home of one of the founders, and is considered private. The residency house can accommodate up to 6 artists at a time, with 2 twin beds in each of 3 bedrooms. There are 2 shared bathrooms and a full kitchen. The first floor bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom are ADA-compliant, and have radiant heated floors as well as separate heating/cooling units. While the residence’s rural setting tends to be quiet, all bedrooms have been soundproofed. Wi-fi is accessible throughout the barn and residence building (as well as the woodshop/garage).
Where will I make my artwork?
There are two large painting (?) studios in the barn. Both have great natural light. One has an air conditioner and propane heater. We have plenty of flat tables, drafting tables, stools, chairs, easels and even some community art supplies. There is wall space in each studio for wall work.
We also have a community ceramics studio, and a recently renovated fiber-arts studio. Both studios have equipment that depending, may be private or have some negotiated use.
What do I need to bring other than art supplies and personal toiletries?
Very warm clothes for the winter. It gets cold. Indoor slippers or footwear– all outdoor shoes are left at door. Sunscreen and bug spray for the summer. A floppy hat for gardening. Headlamp/Flashlight. Hiking boots. Footwear that can get muddy or wet. Work clothes that can get dirty. A laptop and cell phone are useful– we don’t have a landline.
What is the transportation situation like? How close is town?
Access to local public transportation is very limited. To get here, residents can take the Amtrak to Hudson, NY or the Trailways Bus to Cairo, NY and take a cab (approx. $140 round trip + cab tip). If residents do not have access to a car, we offer weekly pre-scheduled rides to the supermarket in nearby Cairo, NY. Bikes are available to borrow for local travel and exploration. We are 4.7 miles to the nearest supermarket. Except for emergencies, we do not give rides beyond pre-scheduled weekly visits. We do not lend our vehicles to residents.
What is the visitors policy?
At this time, overnight visitors are not accommodated. However, daytime studio visits may be scheduled.
What is the social situation like? Are Molly and Piper around most of the time?
One of the assets of FAEx is the amount of time residents get to spend completely alone with their work. We are around the house sometimes and sometimes not at all. We try to schedule one resident dinner/social evening per week. Our friends, volunteers and partners occasionally join us on the premises. Television and landline are not available. Wi-fi internet is available. Quiet hours in the house are generally 10 pm to 9 am.
How will I eat?
We try to schedule one resident dinner/social evening per week. Residents are responsible for buying and preparing their own meals.
How will I get to the grocery store?
We schedule one trip to the Hannaford’s Supermarket in Cairo, NY once a week. Residents are welcome to bring their own specialty food items.
I loved my residency, can I come back?
We love hearing what our past residents are doing and want to support them however we can! However, we are committed to extend our work/trade residency to as many artists as possible. Returning applicants must apply for a Fee-Based Residency, which is $750 for two weeks. The fee helps fund future residents, renovations, and programming costs.