Taft Art in Nature Residency
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Updated June 14, 2026
For the 2026/2027 Residency Season we will be hosting four residency slots:
One 9-Month Studio Residency (Individual or Collaborative Duo)
One 9-Month Research Residency (No Studio)
One 3-Month Studio Residency (Individual Only)
One 3-Month Invitational Residency (Invited by the Residency Director)
Is there an application fee?
No. It is free to apply.
What is the most important part of the application?
Your PROJECT PROPOSAL is the most critical element of your application. Strong submissions establish a clear, intentional connection between a concept and a specific aspect of the property. We seek artists who will use the land and facilities as a meaningful source of inspiration, rather than simply viewing the residency as a free studio or a resume addition. The residency is tailored to those who are genuinely drawn to the gardens and can demonstrate how this environment will directly benefit their practice.
Because we assume all applicants share a foundational appreciation for nature, we look for concepts that go beyond general sentiment. We want to see distinct perspectives, compelling ideas, and narratives that we can champion.
We welcome submissions that directly depict or utilize the flora and fauna of the garden. However, we also strongly encourage conceptual, unconventional thinking. Past residents have drawn inspiration from a wide range of sources, including researching nanoplastics in soil, observing pollinator behavior, exploring chemical properties or patterns in plants, or working with Australian or South African natives that are propagated by fire.
Why do you no longer offer 1-month residencies?
We previously offered one-month slots, but the consistent feedback we received from past residents was that a single month simply did not provide enough time to fully immerse themselves in the landscape, develop their ideas, and execute their work. Deep seeing and connecting with the unique ecosystem of Taft Gardens requires a slower, more intentional pace. By extending our shortest term to a three-month block, we ensure that our residents have a spacious and meaningful window to truly focus on their practice without feeling rushed.
Why do I have to visit Taft Gardens before I apply?
We require a site visit so applicants can experience the environment before proposing a project. Visiting the property and the studios allows you to see the landscape firsthand, identify specific areas of interest within the gardens, and develop a deeply informed, thoughtful proposal tailored to this unique space.
Why do I have to live in Ventura County or Santa Barbara County?
Our mission is to invest directly in our regional community of creative professionals. By limiting the geographic scope, we aim to provide dedicated space and professional opportunities specifically for Central Coast artists, who often have fewer local resources than those based in Los Angeles.
Do you offer a stipend, housing, transportation, or equipment?
No. The residency does not provide funding, lodging, transportation, or technical equipment. We view the provision of dedicated workspace and unlimited access to the gardens as the primary exchange for your time and creative work.
As a non-profit organization with limited resources, our current focus is on providing space and community. We hope that growing engagement will help secure future contributions, allowing us to expand our offerings and support for resident artists over time.
Why do you ask for web links as opposed to images?
We want to view your creative practice as a whole, which often extends beyond a limited set of individual images or short text excerpts. Rather than requiring you to spend time formatting specific work samples for our application process, we prefer that you invest that energy into refining your existing website or professional Instagram feed.
This approach allows you to present your practice in a way that authentically represents you as a creative professional. If you prefer to direct our attention to a specific selection of work, you are welcome to note that preference within your application. However, please do not send links to projects or side hustles that have little to do with your current practice.
Does having a formal degree look more favorable to the jury?
No. We welcome applicants from all educational backgrounds, including those who are self-taught. We request your educational history simply to help us understand your unique path and background as a creative professional.
Does offering to teach a class or workshop help my chances?
No. Proposing to teach a workshop will not increase the likelihood of receiving a residency. We want you to have time to create your work, not add to your “to-do” list. Workshops can be part of the final presentation and be possible post-residency if a relationship is established. However, continuing a professional relationship in that way is at the discretion of the Executive Director of Taft Gardens, not Residency staff.
Can I work with Taft staff or tour guides during my residency?
Possibly, but you need to connect with them first. If you want to collaborate with a specific team member, please reach out to pitch your idea and secure their approval before you apply. If they agree, note that partnership clearly in your Project Proposal.
I want to honor the Chumash in my work. Is that ok?
We respect the deep connection of the Chumash people to this land. If your project involves Chumash imagery, cultural practices, or techniques and you are not a member of the Chumash community, you must seek guidance and formal permission from a Chumash representative before applying. Please document this agreement in your Project Proposal.
I applied last time and did not receive a residency. Should I apply again?
Yes. The Art in Nature Residency is highly competitive, and we consistently receive more qualified applications than we can accommodate. Each year, we typically receive 30 to 60 applications, with the exact number depending on seasonal weather factors, staffing, and funding. This means that many highly suitable applicants may not secure a residency simply due to the limited number of openings.
Our jury is made up of different local arts professionals each year to ensure a balanced selection process. Because every panelist brings a unique perspective and area of expertise, a proposal that might not align with one jury could resonate with another.
We also strive to cultivate a diverse cohort of residents. In any given cycle, we aim to achieve a balance across creative mediums, backgrounds, and representation from different Central Coast cities.
For these reasons, we highly encourage you to reapply. If the panel is faced with a choice between two equally compelling candidates, our policy is to select the applicant who has applied to our program before. This approach underscores our commitment to building meaningful relationships and supporting artists who demonstrate genuine persistence and dedication to our regional arts community.
If I keep getting rejected, may I request feedback?
You are welcome to request application feedback at any time by emailing cassandra@taftgardens.org. Because we operate with a very small staff, a rapid response is not guaranteed. However, our desire to support our local creative community is genuine, and we will make every effort to offer constructive guidance whenever possible.
Why does your 9-month Studio Residency require a visual component?
The nine-month residency takes place in the Historic Studio, which features large windows that make the space highly visible to the public. Because garden visitors frequently pass by, we seek an individual or collaborative team developing work that offers a distinct visual element for the public to observe. Writers or composers are welcome to apply, provided their project incorporates a visible component.
Observing a creative professional at work and witnessing how the landscape inspires their practice offers a valuable educational element for our visitors. Visual art possesses the power to communicate narratives and bring people together. Through this residency, we aim to build lasting collaborations with creative thinkers, highlight the origin stories behind their work, and provide a meaningful platform for connecting with the community at large.
For the 9-month Studio Residency, it is a requirement to "keep regular studio hours for the duration of the Residency." How many days a week, or hours in a day, do I need to be in the Studio?
This requirement is not a rigid set of rules, but rather a mutual understanding based on professional commitment. We look for artists who are eager to utilize the space to advance their practice, engage with visitors, and develop their careers. We do not log hours or enforce a strict schedule.
However, we do inform guests when they arrive on-site when the studio will be active so they can plan to visit. Maintaining predictable, regular hours creates a more manageable and enriching experience for everyone involved. If you already know your schedule only permits one day of attendance per week, we ask that you apply during a future cycle when you have more time to commit.
How many people will visit me per day? Will I be so inundated that I won't get any work done?
Taft Gardens is open to the public for self-guided tours but maintains a strict daily capacity of approximately 20 visitors. However, not every visitor to the property will stop by the studio, and on some days, you may not see anyone at all. You are also welcome to work in the studio when the gardens are closed to the public, provided your hours fall between sunrise and sunset.
Engaging with the community is a core element of this program. If you prefer to avoid public interaction entirely, the nine-month residency may not be the right fit for your practice. If you are naturally reserved but open to occasional conversation, we encourage you to consider the three-month residency instead. The Protea Studio is situated in a less prominent location than the Historic Art Studio, naturally receiving fewer daily visitors.
I am a fine artist and a designer (fabric designer, videographer, commercial photographer, etc.), and design is how I earn a large portion of my income. If I receive a nine-month residency, do I give Taft 20% of sales from commercial work if it is inspired by the gardens?
No. While we ask that you focus on your specific fine art project during your residency, we understand you must maintain your livelihood, which often involves work outside the program. Creative boundaries can naturally blur, and artistic inspiration frequently influences commercial pursuits.
This residency is built on professional trust rather than rigid restrictions. We seek artists who will dedicate their time at Taft Gardens to developing a project rooted in the fine arts. We expect you to manage your schedule to fulfill that commitment, as the 20% commission applies exclusively to fine art sales, performances, or presentations resulting directly from your residency project.
Additionally, professional photographers may not conduct paid client photoshoots on the property during their residency. You are welcome to bring subjects to the gardens, provided the work is strictly for your fine art project rather than commercial commissions. If you wish to utilize the space for a commercial project, you must request permission in advance, and a location fee may apply. We understand that lines can overlap, so please feel free to reach out with any specific questions regarding your practice.
Who is responsible for making my sales?
We handle all sales transactions on your behalf and process payouts to the artists once the residency season concludes. The organization retains a 20% commission to support the program, and the remaining 80% is paid directly to the artist.
Am I required to donate work to Taft if accepted to the 3-month, Invitational or Research Residency?
No. We only ask that the 9-month Studio resident donate a piece.
I am an artist with gallery representation, and my art dealer will want to be involved in any sales I make. How will this work?
We welcome their participation and are happy to work with them.
I am a performance artist, and I do not make sales. How does that work?
Yes. We hope you will prepare a performance for the Fundraiser, and we will highlight it as a special event.
I want to write, illustrate, or develop a book at or about Taft Gardens. Will I have to give part of the proceeds to Taft in perpetuity?
No. If your book is published, it will become a meaningful part of our history, so we ask that you include a dedication to Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve.
We would love to help promote and sell your book in our on-site gift store. In that scenario, we would purchase copies from you at wholesale pricing, consistent with how we source all retail items for the shop. While there is no requirement to do so, if you choose to donate a portion of your proceeds voluntarily, those funds will directly support our non profit, which in turn supports the residency.
Can I include artwork created before my residency in the final exhibition?
No. The Art in Nature Residency is primarily an opportunity to develop new concepts and expand your ongoing creative practice. Because of this focus, we prefer that the work shown during the year-end events be created entirely while in residence on the property.
I am a parent. Can I bring my young kids to Taft while I work?
Supervised and well-behaved children are welcome, and you will need to sign a liability waiver on their behalf. While they are welcome to explore the property with you, children are strictly prohibited from wandering the gardens, preserve, creek bed, or any other area of the property alone under any circumstances.
When you are working, it is best to keep them in or near your studio and provide low-volume activities to keep them occupied. If children become loud, disruptive to guests, or act in a way that is unsafe to themselves or others, we will ask that you take them home.
What is 3-Month Invitational Residency?
While most residency slots are filled through our open-call process, the Invitational Artist is a distinct honor chosen and awarded directly by our Residency Director, Cassandra C. Jones. This track is reserved for artists within our community who are at a high level or stage in their career where they would not normally apply, or whose work is uniquely compatible with our environment and programming. Often it is both.
Past Invitational Artists have included Performance Artist Shana Moulton (2022/23), Multidisciplinary Artist Vanessa Wallace-Gonzales (2023/24), Singer-Songwriter Andrew Bird (2024/25), and Visual Artist Russell Crotty (2025/26).
You did not answer my question. How can I get more information?
We are happy to clarify details or offer support on your application before the deadline on August 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Please email taftresidency@gmail.com, and your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate team member. Because we operate with a small staff, we kindly request that you thoroughly review the full application, requirements, and the FAQ above before reaching out. Our team will make every effort to respond to your questions in a timely manner. Responses after 12:00 PM on August 5 are not guaranteed.
2026/27 SeASON SCHEDULE
Application opens: June 15, 2026
Application due by: August 5, 2026 at 11:59pm
Applicants will be notified of results by: September 1, 2026
2026/27 Residencies begin: October 1, 2026
Art in Nature Fundraiser and Exhibition Opening: TBA
Free Daytime Exhibition Opening: TBA
Residency Season Ends: July 3, 2027