About Art Omi
Art Omi, a not-for-profit arts center with a 120-acre sculpture and architecture park and gallery, offers residency programs for international artists, writers, translators, musicians, architects and dancers. Art Omi believes that exposure to internationally diverse creative voices fosters acceptance and respect, raises awareness, inspires innovation, and ignites change. Art Omi forms community with creative expression as its common denominator for artists and the public to affirm the transformative quality of art.
Residencies
Art Omi has five distinct residency programs: Art Omi: Architecture, Art Omi: Artists, Art Omi: Dance, Art Omi: Music, and Art Omi: Writers. Through a competitive jury process, residents are chosen, invited to attend at no cost to themselves, except travel. Abundant, catered meals and comfortable, beautiful lodgings are provided in a scenic location in Columbia County, New York. Please read these Frequently Asked Questions before applying to one of our residency programs!
About The Residencies
Art Omi: Architecture is the first residency program of its kind in the nation, inviting 10 early- to mid-career architects from around the world to develop their work during a two week residency on Art Omi's campus in June. Art Omi: Architecture aims to nurture experimentation at the intersection of architecture, art and landscape.
Art Omi: Artists invites artists from around the world, representing a wide diversity of artistic styles and practices, to gather for four weeks each summer to experiment, collaborate and share ideas. Concentrated time for creative work is balanced with the stimulation of cultural exchange and critical appraisal.
Art Omi: Dance brings together ten accomplished dance artists from around the world for two and a half weeks of creative exchange in late July. Residents experience each other’s creative process and the freedom to play in this collaborative residency program.
Art Omi: Music invites 12–15 musicians, composers, and sound-makers of all kinds from around the globe to come together for two and a half weeks in August for a uniquely collaborative music-making residency.
Art Omi: Writers hosts authors and translators for two weeks to one month throughout the spring and fall. The program’s strong international emphasis provides exposure for global literary voices and reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is essential to Art Omi’s mission.
Note: This is the application for Art Omi: Music ONLY.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 15, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Late applications will not be accepted.
RESIDENCY DATES: Thursday, August 13–Monday, August 31, 2026
DECISION NOTIFICATION: December 2025
We look forward to becoming acquainted with your work. There is no fee to apply to Art Omi: Music and no fee to attend (however, note that we do not provide travel to or from Art Omi: Music). Also note that because of the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to offer feedback on your application. It may be useful to know that many Music fellows have applied multiple times before being offered a residency.
Using this online application, you will be asked to upload a single audio or video work sample of no longer than 4 minutes total. Your work sample may include up to three excerpts (including more than a single excerpt is highly recommended). Please only include work created in the last five years. You will be asked to indicate the year created and your role in each work—whether you are composer, performer, or both—what instruments/performers are featured, and whether the work is improvised, composed, a combination, or digitally produced). Do not indicate cue points on longer excerpts or direct the panel to other samples online. If you supply a longer work sample longer than 4 minutes, or include a work sample containing more than three excerpts, your application will not be considered.
You will also be asked to provide a very brief bio (100 words or fewer) and a short narrative explaining why you would like to attend Art Omi: Music at this point in your career.
Additional fields will allow you to provide information about your country of origin (and country where you live if different), any instruments you might perform with while in residence, and your primary role as a music-maker.
A Note to Ensembles: The Art Omi: Music program will only consider applications from individual applicants. Joint applications will not be considered. Individuals members of performing ensembles may apply simultaneously, but will be evaluated as individual musicians. It is highly unlikely that members of ensembles will be invited to attend during the same residency. A goal of the Art Omi: Music program is to encourage and foster participation in new collaborative environments—ongoing collaborators are discouraged from applying for the same residency.
A Note to Art Omi: Music Alumni Wishing to Re-Apply: As we can only have so few residents in a session, it is not possible at this time to accept applications from those who have already attended Art Omi: Music.
Note: To prepare an audio work sample, you may wish to use the free Audacity sound editing software. You can download it here.
For Technical Support, email: support@submittable.com
For Program Application Questions, email Jeffrey Lependorf, Director: musicians@artomi.org
Note: This is the application form Art Omi: Artists Critic/Curator in Residence ONLY. If you are interested in our residency for writers, poets, translators, please check our sister program: Art Omi: Writers.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2025 | 11:59 PM EST
RESIDENCY DATES: June 18–July 13, 2026
NOTIFICATION: No later than August 1, 2025
Art Omi: Artists Residency Program invites artists, critics, and curators from around the world–representing a wide diversity of artistic styles and practices–to gather in rural New York to experiment, collaborate, and share ideas. Concentrated time for creative work is balanced with the stimulation of cultural exchange and critical appraisal. The Art Omi: Artists Residency nurtures deep creative and professional connections in a vibrant social setting. Each session, 23 artists and 2 critics are invited to the program. The critics play a pivotal role in the residency as they facilitate discussions, help connect the artists with art world professionals through the Visitors program, and conduct individual studio visits with the artists in residence throughout the duration of the residency session.
The Critic/Curator-in-Residence opportunity is open to critics, curators, and art writers who have been professionally active for the past 5 years, as demonstrated in their resumes, websites, blogs, published articles, and/or reviews, and who enjoy being immersed in an artists community.
Art Omi offers the Critic/Curator-in-Residence a travel grant and a $1,500 honorarium. Critics/Curators are provided with meals and a large private bedroom with a comfortable work space in shared living quarters. Both Critics/Curators-in-Residence help to host the artists and visitors, and are asked to contribute to an overall sense of community for the 3 1⁄2 week program. Through the facilitation provided by the Critic/Curator-in-Residence, Artists-in-Residence gain valuable insight into their own work and the field at large.
Critics/Curators-in-Residence have an unmatched opportunity to meet and interact with highly talented artists from around the world, and to network with other arts professionals through the Visitors Program.
Critic/Curator eligibility guidelines:
- Applicants currently enrolled in either a BFA or MFA are not eligible to apply. However, PhD students or professionals with at least 5 years of professional experience, currently enrolled in a master degree other than in the arts are eligible.
- Art Omi accepts applications from self-taught professionals. Having received a degree or certification, or having formally studied art or art history are not requirements for the Art Omi: Artists Critic/Curator-in-Residence.
- Applications must be submitted in the English language. Please make sure all application materials including your resume/CV and biography are in English.
- Applications are for individuals only. Curatorial teams are not eligible to apply for the Critic/Curator-in-Residence.
- Art Omi Alumni are eligible for a return residency. Past Critics-in-Residence are not eligible for a return residency.
Please submit the following:
- Resume
- Short biography in narrative form
- Three samples of your writing
- Up to 5 images of curatorial work
Please note that due to the high volume of applications, we ask that you be certain your application is complete and in adherence with all guidelines. Incomplete applications will not be processed, and unfortunately we are unable to notify applicants about the status of their application until after the selection has been made. Good luck with your application!