The Mentor Artist-in-Residence is a three-week, process-based interdisciplinary residency program that provides artists with an opportunity to be mentored by, work and collaborate with some of the world’s most distinguished artists in literary, performing, visual arts, environmental arts and social practice. Since the program began in 1982, we have hosted 191 interdisciplinary residencies, bringing together 600 Mentoring Artists and over 5260+ mentee Associate Artists worldwide. Past Mentor Artists include Sanford Biggers, Nick Cave, Renee Cox, Coco Fusco, Sky Hopinka, William Kentridge, Audre Lorde, Rick Lowe, Kerry James Marshall, Ryan McGuinness, Larry Ossei-Mensah, Catherine Opie, Ed Paschke, Robert Rauschenberg, and Carrie Mae Weems.
The essence of the program is to provide a collegiate environment for artists of all disciplines where they can engage in meaningful interaction and stimulating discussions, while pursuing individual or group projects. It is an ideal setting for the exchange of ideas, inspiration for new work, and cross-pollination experimentation of disciplines. The program includes shared studio space, group and individual advising, critiques, and voluntary collaborations.
“I cannot praise the architecture and game plan for ACA highly enough. For professional creative artists, this program is a godsend.”
– Mentoring Artist, Eric Bogosian | Playwright, Actor
Mentoring Artist Pepon Osorio and his Associate Artists
The residency program is at Atlantic Center for the Arts main campus, 1414 Art Center Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168 and held at the award-winning Doris Leeper Studio Complex. The complex includes a painting studio, sculpture studio, digital media studio, dance studio, audio studio, writers’ studio, amphitheater, black box theatre and library. There are three Mentor Artists per residency cohort; residency sessions take place four times per year. Each year, we receive an average of 600 applicants. Mentor Artists review applications to accommodate six juried Associate Artists per cohort, a total of 18 artists per session, at a 6:1 ratio. Accepted residents attend the residency fee free and are provided with room and board at no additional cost and 24/7 access to shared studio spaces, equipment, supplies, and surplus resources. Associate Artists are responsible for travel expenses.
“ACA provides an exciting, unique, and invaluable atmosphere for discussion and reflection among talented artists across many disciplines – blurring their boundaries and reminding us of all what our expressive impulses have in common.”
– Associate Artist, Jenny Johnson | Composer
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email Program Administration at program@atlanticcenterforthearts.org.