Woodstock AIR, CPW’s nationally recognized artist-in-residence program, was established in 1999. It is committed to providing direct support to artists working with photography and expanding the critical dialogue around diversity, race, and identity in the context of social justice.

This one-month residency will allow ten photographers the time and space to break new ground, complete ongoing projects, and advance their artistic vision within an environment that has inspired artists for over a century. The two-bedroom house in Woodstock features two separate artist studios which serve as the base for the residency and visiting artist programs.

Artists will be selected by a panel of four jurors: Tia-Simone Gardner, artist, educator, and Black feminist learner; Alisa Swindell, Associate Curator of Photography at the Hood Museum of Art; Stephanie Hueon Tung, Byrne Family Curator of Photography at the Peabody Essex Museum; and Carla Williams, photographer, archivist, editor, and writer. Learn more about the Woodstock AIR 2026 jury here.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

Woodstock AIR encourages US-based BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American) identifying artists working in any genre of photography or related media to apply. Applicants currently enrolled in a full-time degree program must complete their degree program by May 2026 (with the exception of Ph.D. students) in order to qualify for the 2026 open call for Woodstock AIR. Former residents may not reapply.

Artists-in-Residence (AIRs) are given access to facilities and financial, critical, and technical support. The goal of this program is to free the artist from the busy routines and demands of everyday life – and to provide a sanctuary for creativity.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

There is no application fee.

Residents may use their time at CPW in whatever way is most advantageous to their artistic goals. 

Residency cycles begin in June and are four weeks in length,  and include a $2,000 honorarium, $250 travel stipend, living accommodations in a house with two artist studios (one small and one large), a 24" large-format printer, two iMac computer stations, and ample workspace. In addition, residents receive critical and technical support at CPW's Digital Media Lab in Kingston.

CPW's Kingston-based Digital Media Lab includes:

• Epson SureColor P9000 printer (44” wide max)
• Canon Image PROGRAF Pro-4100 printer (44” wide max)
• Epson SureColor P800 printer (17” wide max)
• Epson V850 Flatbed Scanner
• Epson 12000XL flatbed scanner (up to A3 / 12 x 17”)
• Fujifilm 100s GFX Copy Stand Film Scanning tethered to Capture One
• Imacon 848 & 646 Film Scanner
• Epson FastFoto FF-68W High-Speed Document & Photo Scanner (up to 8.5x11)
• 27” iMacs and Mac Studios
• Full Adobe Suite
• Magnet Board and D50 Print Viewing Lights
• DSLR cameras (stills and video) and various lenses
• Projector
• Large Work Tables
• Additional Space

CPW's Kingston-based B&W Darkroom includes:

• Durst 5x7 enlarger and lenses (accommodates negatives up to 5x7)
• 4x5 color head enlarger for variable contrast b/w printing
• Large sink (accommodates trays up to 20x24)
• 20x24 archival print washer 20x24 archival print washer 
• Developing tanks (35mm, medium formats, 4x5)
• 20x24 heat press

CPW's Kingston-based facilities include:

• Photobook Library
• Private AIR studio (shared between 2 AIRs)
• Large daylight studio
• Canon ImagePRESS v700 digital press

CPW's Woodstock Residency House includes:

• Epson SureColor P6000 printer (24” wide max)
• Epson SureColor P800 printer (17” wide max)
• Epson V700 Flatbed Scanner
• 2x- 27” iMacs
• 27" Mac Monitor
• Full Adobe Suite
• Magnet Board
• Studio space and natural lighting for the workspace
• Projector and Screen
• Light kits and backdrop for studio lighting

Two residents are chosen for each month-long residency and will be sharing a two-bedroom house together for the duration of their residencies. We understand this doesn't work for everyone's needs, so please consider that when taking the time to apply to this residency.

RESIDENCY LOCATION

In 2022, after 45 years in Woodstock, CPW moved their gallery, offices, and digital media lab to Kingston, NY, which is located a 20-minute drive from the artist's housing and studio accommodations. While a car is not a necessity for this residency, please note the artist's house is located 15 minutes walk from the center of Woodstock, where a free bus can be taken to and from Kingston, NYC, etc. Taxis, Uber, and Lyfts are sometimes available, but unfortunately not always when you want them; this is due to the rural location of Woodstock, NY. The nearest train station is the Amtrak located in Rhinecliff (30 minute drive from Woodstock).

If you have any questions regarding the AIR house accommodations, please email nicole@cpw.org.

REQUIREMENTS

Residents are required to contribute two finished works to CPW’s Permanent Print Collection, as selected by the artist and CPW's curatorial staff. It is also highly encouraged that residents connect with the surrounding community through an artist talk or mini workshop at CPW’s Kingston location.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please read through these carefully, as some things have changed.

Entries will be accepted until the FINAL DEADLINE of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at midnight EST. 

Please submit the following via Submittable - applications are only accepted here, and are not accepted via email or delivery:

• Work Samples: Please submit 10-15 digital images at 2000px on the longest side, along with title info for each image. Artist Residency Applicants may also provide screenshots and links for 1-2 videos [must be viewable online].
• Work Plan Proposal: Please provide a brief outline describing how you plan to utilize your time during your residency. We understand and expect that this may change during your residency, however, an overview helps us to determine feasibility, and whether our facilities are a good fit for your practice. Clearly describing how you might utilize our facilities and workspaces can be helpful [i.e., shooting in the studio, making digital prints, utilizing the darkroom, shooting with our large format cameras, and scanning large format negatives.]  [max 300 words]
• Short Bio: Please provide a brief description of your professional art career - please do not enter an exhibition list here [max 250 - 300 words]. If offered a residency, this may be used on our website and Instagram.
• Artist Statement: Please provide an artist statement describing your current projects and artistic process. If offered a residency, this may be used on our website and Instagram. [max 250 - 300 words]
• Resume/CV: Listing of past exhibitions, residency, and related experiences.
• Reference Contacts: Email and phone contact information for two professional references.
• Headshot: If offered a residency, this may be used on our website and Instagram.   

SELECTION COMMITTEE

WOODSTOCK AIR participants are selected by a panel of professionals in the field of photography and have included past participants in CPW’s residency and exhibition program, curators, collectors, and art critics.

Artists will be selected by the following jury panel: Tia-Simone Gardner, artist, educator, and Black feminist learner; Alisa Swindell, Associate Curator of Photography at the Hood Museum of Art; Stephanie Hueon Tung, Byrne Family Curator of Photography at the Peabody Essex Museum; and Carla Williams, photographer, archivist, editor, and writer. Learn more about the Woodstock AIR 2026 jury here.

Selected 2026 Woodstock AIRs will be contacted in mid March.

CPW’s first Upstate Photography Biennial will open in Kingston in Summer 2026. This group exhibition will bring together a large sampling of the extraordinary and diverse photography now being created across the Hudson Valley. Organized by CPW curators Adam G. Ryan and Marina Chao, the Biennial will fill the entire first floor of the center’s Kingston galleries, and will run from May 30 to September 6, 2026.

The Upstate Photography Biennial will be a major, recurring platform for Hudson Valley artists, designed to highlight a range of contemporary approaches to photography. More broadly, the Upstate Photography Biennial will form a living archive of work being made in the region while fostering meaningful dialogue and community engagement around photography. Each iteration of the Upstate Photography Biennial will be accompanied by a small-run, high-quality catalogue, designed and produced in-house at the CPW Press, using our new Canon v700 printer.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

There is no application fee.

Applicants must live and work in Upstate New York at least part-time. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please read carefully. 

Entries will be accepted until the FINAL DEADLINE of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. 

Please submit the following via the Submittable platform. Applications are only accepted here and are not accepted via email or post:

• Work Samples: Please submit 5–10 images that all come from a single series or body of work. The images should be 2000px on the longest side, and please include title and date information for each image. Applicants may also provide a screenshot and link for one video (must be viewable online).
• Short Bio: Please provide a brief description of your art career. Please do not enter an exhibition list here (max 250 - 300 words).
• Project Statement: Please provide an artist statement describing the project you are submitting images from (max 250 - 300 words).
• Resume/CV: Listing of past exhibitions, residency, and related experiences.

SELECTION

Selected artists will be contacted via email in February 2026.