Cultivarte Laredo is Daphne Art Foundation's Artist-in-Residence Program
The program was initiated in 2019 to foster a supportive culture for visual, performing, and media artists in our border region. The vision of a thriving creative community where artists are inspired by the exchange of ideas, feel supported as they cultivate their intentions through their artistic practices, and help develop re-imagined spaces of art with access to meaningful resources is what inspired Cultivarte Laredo.
Today, the program provides opportunities for artists through residencies (offered virtually and in-person), art and artist features, exhibitions, panels, and artist talks.
Cultivarte Laredo AiR Program
Artists are invited to apply to two distinct artist residencies–virtual and in-person–during an Open Call for Proposals held in the first quarter of the year.
We welcome proposals from individual artists, collaborating artists, and collectives.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Artists' proposals are reviewed and selected by a jury composed of Daphne Art Foundation staff and other creative professionals based on the quality of the applicants' artwork, presentation, as well as their ability to outline how they want to use the residency.
Our residencies are designed to contribute to the professional and artistic growth of selected artists, and encourage self-identified up-and-coming and emerging artists to explore new ways to approach their concepts, and to create in a space conducive to focused work. Residents are all expected to make full use of their time.
Each year, our residency programs culminate in a group exhibition inclusive of the AIR Cohort in the Fall.
In 2026, Cultivarte Laredo will host seven (7) artists.
Artist-in-Residency
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AiR is open to visual and performing artists and writers who live and work in Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley
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4 local artists will be selected for studio space
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3 V-AiR Artists will be selected
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Selected Artists are each granted a $1,000 stipend
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Residency is ideal for artists who want to create a new body of artwork, or further develop a series in progress
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Residency Dates: June 1-July 31, 2026
AiR Expectations
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Able and available to attend a maximum of 3 virtual meetings prior to beginning residency to plan and schedule, including a virtual meet-n-greet with the 2025 AIR Cohort and staff
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Able and available for weekly check-ins / studio visits with residency mentor
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Participate in constructive critiques with other AiR
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C-Studio Residents must host two (2) Open Studio Nights during their residency
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V-AiR Artists must host at least one (1) virtual artist talk (on Instagram Live) with a goal to engage Cultivarte Laredo followers
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V-AiR Artists must actively document and share their residency experience on social media, blog posts, website, videos, photos, etc. and tag @cultivarte.laredo
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V-AiR and C-Studio artists must present the artwork they create during their residencies and attend the AIR25 Group Exhibition in the Fall (hosted at Gallery 201)
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Make efforts to engage with other Daphne Art Foundation programming
How to Apply
Application is a Google Form. Applicants will need to have a Gmail account in order to apply.
Last day to apply is May 1, 2026
Click HERE to apply.
Important AiR25 Dates
April 1 | Open Call for AiR25 Proposals begins
May 1 | Last day to apply (portal closes at 11:59 p.m. CST)
May 4-10 | AiR25 Jury selection
May 18 | Public announcement
June 1 | AiR Residency begins
July 3 | C-Studio Open Studio Night (during Caminarte)
August 2026 | Virtual artist talks
September 18 | AiR26 Group Show opens with an Artist Reception
October 23 | AiR 26 Group Show closes