Call for Entry

Naples Botanical Garden Creative Residency

June 7 – 28, 2027

Deadline for submissions: January 8, 2027
Entry fee: $30

Submit to Call

 Creative Residency Description

  • The Creative Residency at Naples Botanical Garden will inspire the creation of environmental art and serve as an opportunity for artists to rest, reenergize, and engage with the community through Community Engagement Projects.
  • Creative Residents are housed in the Garden’s Guest House located within walking distance of the Garden’s main visitor entrance. The home is furnished, including bed and bath linens. The kitchen is stocked with essential cookware. Wi-Fi and laundry are available in the Guest House. Residents are responsible for their own grocery shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene products. Residents will receive a $600 grocery stipend at the start of the residency. 
  • Residents will receive some mileage reimbursement as well as a $3,000 stipend paid to the artist in two separate payments, one at the completion of the Residency and the second at the completion of the final Community Engagement Project. 

  • There is no dedicated studio space on the grounds. Residents will utilize the Guest House and adjacent pergola as their studio. The Guest House and Garden are not equipped with artist supplies or musical instruments.

Creative Residency Location

Naples Botanical Garden Guest House
4820 Bayshore Drive
Naples, Florida 34112

Important Dates

Application Deadline: January 8, 2027

Applicants notified of application results: March 5, 2027

Creative Residency Dates: June 7 – 28, 2027

Naples Botanical Garden Representative  

Sten Kerwin
Curator of Arts & Culture
239.325.1368 
kkerwin@naplesgarden.org 

Selection Process

Phase 1: The Garden’s Arts & Culture team will organize applications eliminating any incomplete or ineligible applications.

Phase 2: The Garden’s Education & Arts Committee will select the single most suitable applicant for the Residency as well as an alternate. 

Phase 3: The single most suitable applicant will receive notification of acceptance and will have 30 days from notification to complete and return all required forms and agreements. Neglecting to complete required forms and agreements will result in forfeiting the applicant’s acceptance, at which point the alternate applicant will be offered the Residency. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Artists must permanently reside in Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Miami Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, or Sarasota Counties. 
  • Artists must be available to stay on-site for the duration of the Residency.
  • Artists must be available to lead at least two Community Engagement Projects. 
  • Applicants must be emerging or professional artists working in musical composition and/or musical performance.
  • Naples Botanical Garden’s current staff, volunteers, and their immediate family are not eligible to apply. 
  • Applicants must be 21 or older to apply.

Application Requirements

  • A non-refundable $30 application fee is required
  • CV/Resume
  • Biography (700-word maximum) 
  • Artist Statement (700-word maximum)
  • 4 files of your original work in .mp3 or .mp4 format
  • Links to your social media platforms or website
  • Two professional references

All files must be uploaded using the Additional Files section at the bottom of the application.

Select “Add New Files” to upload the following files: CV/resume, biography, artist statement, and .mp3 or .mp4 files

Each individual file should include the applicant’s name and may not exceed 30MB.

Rules and Terms

Before submitting, please review the Creative Resident Agreement.

The accepted applicant is required to provide the following:

  • Signed Creative Resident Agreement
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Completed Guest House forms 
  • Emergency contact
  • W-9
  • Pre-residency evaluation
  • Headshot

Contact

For questions about the application itself, contact kkerwin@naplesgarden.org.

For questions or issues with the application process, contact Artwork Archive or call 720.900.5506.