Catwalk Residency Program
Catwalk/Catslair Residency Program in Catskill, New York
Three- to Four-Week Residencies, Summer TBD
Due to the pandemic and associated travel restrictions/health and safety measures, we are not accepting applications at this time for the Catwalk Residency. We will open the application process and announce the residency opportunities as soon as we are able to.
Open to Faculty in the Degree Program
The Hudson River Valley, with its effervescent green hills, river views, and quaint towns in proximity to metropolitan New York City inspired the renowned Hudson River School's generation of an original American art. The region still resonates with artists' colonies and historic sites including the Thomas Cole House and Studio just steps from the Catwalk residency; Olana, the Persian-inspired home of 19th-century landscape artist Frederic Church; and other significant sites for artists such as Art Omi, Dia: Beacon, Storm King, or Opus 40. Catwalk is a private residency begun in 2002 by Jim and Purcell Palmer; Mrs. Palmer lives on the premises in the restored home designed and built in 1864 by Hudson River School artist and scholar Charles Herbert Moore. Interaction with the host during the residency period is part of Catwalk's tradition.
CATSLAIR
This newly acquired 1980 residential complex is situated on a magnificent historic site of 70 acres on the Hudson River across from Olana, the home of Frederic Edwin Church, America's first environmentalist and just north of Thomas Cole's home, Cedar Grove. Catslair residencies are available to artists, writers, and scholars in all media exploring subjects related to place, landscape, and environment investigating universal aspects of nature embedded in landscape and ecology.
Eligibility Criteria
Faculty in the degree program are eligible to apply for the Catwalk/Catslair Residency. Selections are based on the strength of the proposal, the applicant’s record of creative and scholarly achievements, the length of tenure at the institution, and the candidate’s history of awards from SAIC. For full-time faculty, priority consideration will be given to applicants who have actively contributed to the school community. Applicants who are not in compliance with SAIC required trainings and/or who have not fulfilled credential documentation requirements will not be considered.
Proposals and Projects
Priority consideration is given to proposals and projects exploring issues and creative connections to the Hudson Valley area or the Catwalk sites. Subjects addressing nature, landscape, ecology, and collaborative projects are especially encouraged. Practices such as drawing, painting, photography, performance, site-specific works, film, video, research, and writing are encouraged. Each resident is provided an individual, furnished living space, access to a selection of basic studio/work spaces that can be adapted for individual needs, and creative use of the extensive 65-acres of lush land nestled between the scenic Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Two artists or writers are in residence at any one time, and current residents are selected from SAIC, Columbia University, NYU, and Vassar College. Residents have fully equipped kitchens in their living space and often share meals at the end of the day. The area is an abundant provider of fresh local produce with local grocery stores, farmers' markets, and excellent restaurants in the neighboring Hudson and Catskill region.
The hosts request that residents arrive on a Tuesday before 5:00 p.m. and depart on Sunday evening. Given the location, use of a personal car is highly recommended. From the Chicago area, Catskill is a two-day drive, or a combination of flight (into Albany or New York City) and car rental. There is daily train service from New York to Hudson (five miles from Catskill).
Summer Dates (TBD)
While every effort is made to honor preferred dates, flexibility is an essential component in successfully scheduling residencies for selected recipients. Catwalk prefers three- to four-week residencies, and maintains a fairly flexible schedule. Dates below are preferred dates, and approved recipients may be able to schedule different dates with the Catwalk residency program. Applicants should indicate first preference for residency dates when submitting an application.
- Future Residency Dates are TBD
Additional Opportunities
Additional dates, not sponsored or selected through SAIC, may also be available by contacting Catwalk directly. SAIC funding is associated only with the two SAIC-sponsored residencies at Catwalk.
The recent addition of the Catslair Project Space to the residency campus accommodates long-time residencies for groups or individuals. Up to six artists, writers, and/or researchers can pursue multi-use projects as individuals or collaborative groups for up to six months throughout the year. Interested faculty should consult the Catwalk website for more information, especially those interested in the Catslair Project Space for longer term or group collaborations.
Former Recipients
2019 Ann Chen
2018 Eric Fleischauer, Tyson Reeder
2017 Josh Dihle, Adam Webster
2016 Dana Carter, Lindsey French
2015 Jeremy Bolen, Andy Hall
2014 Alan Labb, Photography; Mayumi Lake, Photography
2013 G. Alan Rhodes, Visual Communication Design; Elizabeth Ann Moore, Visual and Critical Studies
2012 Jesse Ball, Writing; James Kao, Painting and Drawing
2011 Joanna Anos, Liberal Arts; Dan Price, Sculpture
