Artists in Motion Residency — Redesign
Applications closed · Reopening August 2026 · Get on the list ↓
An Artist Program
Six-month residency · Motion Media Arts Center

Artists in Motion.

A six-month residency for emerging media artists from Austin — built for creators who haven't formally exhibited their work or had access to residency opportunities before.

6 Months × Free Studio Access × Up to 2 Classes × NEA Funded × 2
Artists in Motion residency event

✦ Final showcase · Artists in Motion · 2023/2024 cohort

About the residency

For the artists who weren't on the list.

Designed for creators who haven't formally exhibited their work, or historically had access to residency opportunities — addressing gaps in access and inclusion in the arts community.

Over six months, residents get the space, equipment, and time to develop new work. We support a wide range of media arts practices: photography, filmmaking, video installation, and performance art with media components.

Every resident wraps up by sharing their work publicly — an artist talk, exhibition, or hands-on workshop. We provide the funding to make it happen, and the community to make it land.

Impact

Twice funded by the NEA. Alumni doing the work everywhere.

★ NEA Funded × 2

The Artists in Motion residency has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts in two consecutive funding cycles — establishing it as one of the few NEA-supported emerging media artist residencies in Central Texas.

01

Solo exhibitions

From residency participant to artist-with-a-show. Alumni have gone on to mount their own solo exhibitions in Austin and beyond — many for the first time.

02

Bigger projects

Bigger, bolder work after six months in the studio. Alumni have produced films, video installations, and large-scale photography projects from what they started here.

03

Grant-funded artists

From this program into the broader funding world. Alumni have gone on to receive their own grants, fellowships, and commissions as established local artists.

04

Soho House & beyond

Beyond making, alumni have moved into programming and curating at Austin's premier cultural venues — including Soho House Austin.

What residents receive

Six months of full support.

01

Free Cinemaker access · 6 months

Full membership to our Cinemaker Studio — professional equipment, studio space, and the production resources you need to develop a body of work.

02

Up to 2 ASoF classes

Pick from our full Austin School of Film catalog — cinematography, editing, lighting, sound, or anything else that fits your project.

03

Funding for your final event

We provide the funding to professionally host your public showcase, artist talk, or workshop at the end of the residency.

The final presentation

Make work. Show work.

Artist talk

An evening of presenting your work, your process, and your thinking — followed by audience Q&A and community conversation.

Public exhibition

A curated showing of finished pieces — film screenings, photography prints, video installations, or performance documentation.

Hands-on workshop

Teach back what you learned. Lead a hands-on session for the community in your medium — a great way to build network and visibility.

Who can apply

If this sounds like you...

01

Age & location

21 years or older, based in Austin or the surrounding area.

02

Your practice

Working in photography, film, video installation, or performance art with media components.

03

Your experience

Emerging — you haven't previously exhibited work formally or participated in a residency program before.

04

Your readiness

Ready to develop a project, engage with community, and grow your portfolio over six focused months.

Past cohorts

Our alumni.

2023 / 2024
Supported by the NEA, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Texas Commission on the Arts, Precision Photo & Camera, Liquid Death, and Tito's Vodka.
01

Chie Endo

02

Evelyn Rude

03

Joshua Oliver

04

Michelle Bluhm

Read the 2024 recap →
Made possible by

With support from.

✦ Government & Foundation Grants

  • National Endowment for the Arts × 2 years
  • City of Austin Cultural Arts Division × 2 years
  • Texas Commission on the Arts

✶ In-Kind Partners

  • Precision Photo & Camera
  • Holland Photo & Imaging
  • Liquid Death
  • Tito's Vodka
✦ Coming back · August 2026

Get on the list.

Applications for the next cohort reopen in August 2026. The open call goes out via email and Instagram — drop us a line to be the first to know when applications go live.