2026 Emerging Artist Open Call: Speculating on Plurality

Eyebeam’s 2026 Residency is designed for New York-based emerging artists in the first decade of their careers, asking practitioners to consider these questions with curiosity, play, and expansiveness. They offer this prompt for artists, technologists, and writers to instigate and imagine new frameworks, interventions, or inventions that address the issues and ideas most critical to building the futures they seek.

This 2026 Residency calls on emerging artists based in NYC within the 5 boroughs to apply to the Open Call; artists whose practice and thinking act as catalysts in defining our paths ahead, and align with the theme Speculating on Plurality. This residency supports emerging artists (see eligibility below) seeking to further develop work in progress. Residents will not be required to complete any work during the residency; rather, they will share in the process with one another and Eyebeam’s communities through discussion, writing (optional), and related events.

Six NYC-based artists will be selected for a 12-week spring-to-summer residency at NYU Tandon @ The Yard that will include:

• $4,000 Stipend ⭐️
• Weekday (Monday-Friday) access from 9 AM to 9 PM to shared studio space and a dedicated desk;
• The option to work with an NYU graduate assistant for technical production support for the following: 3D Design, AR/VR development, Motion Capture, XR production, TouchDesigner, Coding, AutoCAD, Web Development, Videography, Unreal Engine, etc.
• Mentorship with Eyebeam alumni and opportunities to engage with partner organizations and visiting professionals.

⭐️ Please note that all grant payments are subject to up to a 30% withholding tax by the IRS for US citizens, residents, and those with visas to work and live in the US.

Requirements

Participation in the 2026 Speculating on Plurality Residency is a 3-month-long commitment from April 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

To be eligible to apply for the 2026 Speculating on Plurality Residency, applicants must meet all the following requirements:

• Applicant must be an individual;
• Applicant must reside in New York City (5 boroughs) and be interested in studio use for the residency term;
• Applicants of any age who identify as artists practicing professionally for no more than 10 years (emerging);
• Applicant is NOT currently enrolled in any full-time degree programs or employed as full-time faculty at a higher learning institution.

Application Instructions

Applications can be submitted via Submittable.