What is the KFW x JSP Artist Residency?
Kentucky Foundation for Women (KFW) is partnering with Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) in Frankfort, KY, to offer a paid, self-directed, process-based artist residency for emerging feminist social change artists of any discipline who reside in Kentucky.
The KFW x JSP Artist Residency provides one artist with the opportunity to support their artistic growth by developing and researching a project or ideas informed by Josephine Sculpture Park, an inspiring 40-acre park and arts organization with the mission to connect people to each other and the land through the arts.
The artist will commit 40 hours to residency activities, scheduled across 1–8 weeks in 2027. Weeks do not need to be consecutive. During the residency, the artist will create at least one public community engagement event, such as an artist talk or workshop, or one self-guided product, such as a how-to worksheet, meditation prompts, or park activity sheet. This offering will be made available to JSP visitors through JSP’s website and/or in print at the park Visitors Center.
The selected artist will be awarded $2,000 from KFW for artist fees and to help cover costs associated with the residency.
Who Can Apply?
The KFW x JSP Artist Residency is open to individual emerging feminist social change artists who reside in Kentucky. Artists of any discipline may apply.
Artists with varied backgrounds, worldviews, cultural heritages, and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply. KFW is committed to making the residency program accessible to a wide range of women, trans and nonbinary people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, educational level, economic condition or geographic origin.
Artist Support & Residency Logistics
The selected artist will receive $2,000 from KFW for artist fees and residency-related costs.
Please note that the selected artist will not have access to a studio while in residence. The artist is responsible for their own transportation, lodging, supplies/materials, meals, and residency activities.
JSP will provide the artist with inspiring space and time to develop their own practice, including access to the park’s 40 acres, more than 70 artworks, event barn, and a lockable trailer for storage.
What to Expect During the Residency
The artist will complete 40 hours of residency activities, scheduled across 1–8 weeks in 2027. Weeks do not need to be consecutive. These activities may include developing or researching a new project or idea, spending time in the park, exploring the relationship between art, land, and feminist social change, and creating a public or self-guided offering for JSP visitors.
The artist will provide one or more community engagement events at JSP or products related to their residency for JSP visitors, such as a workshop, artist talk, or self-guided park activity sheet.
The artist will also complete a program evaluation within 30 days of residency completion.
Josephine Sculpture Park
Josephine Sculpture Park is located in Frankfort, Kentucky. JSP offers 40 acres of open space, more than 70 artworks, an event barn, and opportunities for artists and visitors to connect with art, the land, and one another.
As part of the residency, JSP will provide pre-residency planning support and weekly check-ins while the artist is in residence. JSP will also facilitate at least one flash mentorship session with JSP Executive Director & Chief Curator Melanie VanHouten.
Residency Goals
The KFW x JSP Artist Residency is designed to provide emerging feminist social change artists in Kentucky with time, space, and support to focus on developing and researching an artistic project or ideas informed by Josephine Sculpture Park.
The residency also provides the public with creative experiences that deepen their relationship to Josephine Sculpture Park and feminist social change through the artist’s public community engagement event or self-guided product.
Do you have your own special retreat place for rest and rejuvenation? If you are a KFW grantee you can apply for a mini-grant to help fund the retreat or residency. See details HERE.
Residency Deadlines and Timeframe
2027 Residency Cycle
Application Opens: July 17, 2026
Application Deadline: August 17, 2026
Decision Notifications: By October 30, 2026
Residency Timeline: Residency activities will take place in 2027 and will be scheduled across 1-8 weeks
Final Report: Must be submitted no later than 30 days after the residency is completed
The KFW x JSP Artist Residency is intended to take place every other year: 2027, 2029, 2031, and beyond.