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MASS MoCA
The Studios at MASS MoCA
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Description
The Studios is MASS MoCA’s artist and writers residency program situated within the museum’s factory campus and surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Operated by MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists program, the residency runs year-round and hosts up to 10 artists at a time. Artists of any nationality can apply for stays of 2-8 weeks (in 2 week increments). Typical residencies are 2 or 4 weeks.
Residencies at the Studios at MASS MoCA are largely self-directed. They host a variety of optional events throughout each residency session. With 24-hr access to the studios and apartments, artists can set their own schedule.
Outcome
Artists use the time as they wish.
Studio Information
Residencies are hosted in two studio buildings on MASS MoCA's campus (B13 & B34). Each of the buildings and each of their studios have their own dimensions and provisions. Some studios have 8-foot walls in a 13-foot-high mill space; others are fully partitioned to the ceiling. Some are better for work made on the floor, some for work made on walls. We do our best to pair our residents with a studio that matches their practice. The smallest studio is 120 sq ft and the largest is 280 sq ft. The average size is about 172 sq ft. Wall material ranges from drywall to brick. Floors in B13 are plywood, while in B34 they’re cement. All studios are wheelchair accessible, lockable and safe to leave equipment and supplies in.
Each studio is minimally furnished with a desk or folding table, a chair, and most have a small shelf. Additional folding tables are available. Lighting is overhead LED troffers (typical commercial office lighting) and we have clamp lights to augment. There are shared slop sinks in both buildings. Easels, additional worktables or alternative seating can likely be provided, but you should consider bringing the essentials to meet the needs of your practice. In addition, each studio building is equipped with a small tool library. A full list of tools available is below. All art materials and most equipment must be provided by the participant.
Building 34 is equipped with a rudimentary communal printmaking studio which is open to all residents. Our local print technician typically offers a free printmaking tutorial each session. If you would like individual support for special projects, one-one-on assistance is available at $40/hour. We also have two looms available. Looms can be reserved in advance by both experienced and beginner weavers. Private Instruction is available for beginners also at a rate of $40/hr, offered by a local weaving instructor. Artists are expected to provide their own yarn.
Accommodation Information
Each resident is provided with a private room in one of three renovated, four-bedroom apartments. Each bedroom is furnished with a bed and dresser, pillows, bed and bath linens, etc. (No need to bring any bedding unless you prefer to sleep on your favorite pillow, etc.) Each apartment also has its own shared bathroom and kitchen, wifi, and laundry. The kitchen will have some basic cooking equipment and coffee. Residents are responsible for providing their own breakfast, snacks and dinner. The apartments are within easy walking distance of the local grocery.
NOTE: Climbing stairs is required to enter the apartments, which are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of a walk-up building. If you are not able to use stairs, please contact us immediately so we can discuss alternate accommodations.
Technical Information
The private studios come with work-tables, chairs, easels, and clamp lights & shop lights, as well as a supply closet with basic tools. Residents can make use of a basement shop area if they bring their own power tools, but the main private studio area is for quiet work (and there is not suitable ventilation for oil painting).
Location
North Adams, Massachusetts, is a small mill town in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, formerly known for the textile and electronics manufacturing that occurred on the 27-building factory campus now occupied by MASS MoCA. Today, North Adams is best known for MASS MoCA, as well as for the nearby theater, art and outdoor recreation for which the Berkshires are famous.
