Virtual Information Session

An early career artist has actively been creating their own artistic work outside of a degree-granting program for 2–10 years, regardless of formal training or whether they identify as an “artist”. Breaks of 2+ years (e.g., caregiving, school) do not count toward this timeframe. If you have any questions about this eligibility requirement, please contact Luwaina Al-Otaibi at luwaina@publictransformation.org.

This opportunity is for generative artists: people who create their own original work. That includes choreographers, composers, playwrights, devisers, filmmakers, poets, writers, visual artists, and tech-based artists. Interpretive artists, people who perform or shape someone else’s work, are not eligible for this opportunity. Many artists do both, even if they don’t use the title. If you’re creating something new that comes from you, you’re doing generative work. For example:

You’re eligible if you’re a dancer who makes your own pieces, a musician who writes original songs, an actor developing a solo show, or an artist who turns existing work into a brand-new experience, like an immersive installation or interactive workshop.

You’re not eligible if your proposed work is performing someone else’s play, playing a set of covers, or designing lights or sound for another artist’s show.

If you are both a generative artist and an interpretive artist, please apply based on your own original work. If you have any questions about this eligibility requirement, please contact Luwaina Al-Otaibi at luwaina@publictransformation.org.

We are currently receiving generous support from the Jerome Foundation for the RVR Residency program. It is a priority for Jerome to support early career and generative artists. Even though RVR has been open to artists from emerging to established in the past, we are transitioning to support early career artists who are creating their own work as part of our funding partner requirements. There are other opportunities for established and interpretive artists to participate in The YES! House programming, events, and residencies. If you would like more information on those opportunities, please reach out to Luwaina Al-Otaibi at luwaina@publictransformation.org.

Yes. Based on feedback from past RVR artists, two weeks is the ideal length to get the most out of the residency. Scheduling will be coordinated with selected artists in December 2026, and residencies will take place during the months of February, March, April, and July 2027.

No, you do not need to have a project in mind! The residency can be used for creative growth, professional development (e.g., website or business planning, networking), finishing existing work, brainstorming new work, or other artistic goals. This is your time to focus on your creative practice!

The YES! House Program Director and Program Assistants will be working onsite during your residency. The Program Director will be your main point of contact, work with you to schedule your residency, and lead the welcome walking tour and dinner. The Program Director and/or Program Assistant will also greet you and show you around your living and work spaces, as well as support your public artist salon event.

Overall, this is primarily a self-directed residency. Artists are responsible for their own time management, creative projects, and goals.

• A private, furnished one-bedroom apartment with full bath and full kitchen

• Small office/studio space 

• Linens (sheets, bedding, towels, washcloths), cookware, dishware, appliances, and a coffee pot

• Shared working space with a utility sink, microwave, washer, and dryer

• Access to The YES! House main floor for salons and other uses (when available)

• Access to The YES! House basement workshop space, media lab, and recording studio

The YES! House apartments are not accessible by wheelchair; however, if an artist has any accessibility requirements or requests, we will do our best to accommodate. Please specify accessibility needs in the application. 

You will design your salon event—where you will share your work or artistic process with the public—in collaboration with the Program Director. Options include artist talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances, readings, or works-in-progress showings. This can be done at any time during your residency. If desired, documentation (photos/videos) of the artist’s work will be provided and can be used for future work samples.

Selected artists may be reimbursed up to $250 for supplies and materials needed to support their residency goals. Reimbursements are non-taxable if receipts are submitted with the expenses.

The $1,000 stipend is flexible and can be used however you choose—food, gas, recreation, comfort, etc. DoPT does not track how you spend it; it can be spent or saved however you see fit!

Please note: This stipend is considered taxable income, so you will want to reserve a portion for taxes. We can share some basic best practices, but we recommend consulting a tax professional for official advice.

Ensembles may be considered, but the program is designed for individuals. We are only able to offer one $1,000 stipend and a one-bedroom apartment.

Yes, as long as a one-bedroom apartment suits your family’s needs.

Service/support animals are welcome. For other pets, we ask that you seek alternative care for your furry friend(s). However, we do not want this to be a hindrance to your artistic growth. If you cannot find alternative care, we may consider accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Because many artists will share this space over time, we need to balance apartment wear-and-tear and potential allergy concerns. Please include requests in your application.

Yes! Artists are welcome to sell their artwork during or after their residency. If you would like The YES! House to facilitate the sale of any artwork, you’ll enter into a consignment agreement separate from your residency agreement. Any sales facilitated by The YES! House and/or DoPT will be subject to the terms and conditions of that agreement. 

Yes! However, priority will be given to first-time residency participants to reach as many SWMN artists as possible.

BIPOC (pronounced “bye-pock”) stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is a term specific to the United States, intended to center the experiences of Black and Indigenous groups while building solidarity across communities of color. This term can be complicated because it may incorrectly imply that the experiences of all non-white people are the same. It can be a useful term when specificity is not available; however, whenever possible, we encourage the use of precise and appropriate cultural and identity terminology.

LGBTQ2IA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities that fall outside of cisgender and heterosexual paradigms. This acronym includes some sexual orientations and some gender identities; however, these are separate concepts. To learn more, see The Genderbread Person.