NSS Sculptor Residency at Chesterwood

An affiliated artist-in-residence program between National Sculpture Society and Chesterwood.

This opportunity is open to NSS Fellows, Elected Sculptor Members and NSS Grant Recipients (past winners of the Alex J. Ettl Grant, Marilyn Newmark Memorial Grant, Stanley Bleifeld Grant and the Augusta Savage Grant).

The selected sculptor will receive:

• • Four-weeks’ lodging in the Meadowlark
  • Use of the Morris Studio on the grounds of Chesterwood
  • $4,500 total cash award, with
    • $3,500 from the National Sculpture Society, and
    • $1,000 from Chesterwood, sponsored by the Lee Weiser Fund

RESIDENCY:

The sculptor’s residency will be at Chesterwood, the former summer home, studio and gardens of one of America’s foremost public sculptors, Daniel Chester French, located in Stockbridge, MA. Less than three hours from New York City and Boston, the Berkshire hills are a beautiful area with world class culture and entertainment in a magnificent rural setting.

The residency will begin on June 9th and run through June 30, 2025. The winning sculptor will live in the Meadowlark, formerly French’s second studio (now a cottage) and will work in the Morris Studio. Both buildings are located on the grounds of the Chesterwood property and have running water and air conditioning. The Meadowlark is a two-bedroom cottage with a north skylight and great room/dining area; full kitchen and bath and outside deck situated in a private setting. The Morris Studio was recently renovated to include an industrial sink and is in excellent condition. It is in a central location between French’s residence, his primary studio and the barn gallery exhibiting his work.

Applications will be reviewed by a jury of three persons appointed by the National Sculpture Society which will include a person employed or invited by Chesterwood. The jury will determine the recipient based on the sculptor’s application materials.

The sculptor-in-residence (‘SIR’) will be required, with the help of the Chesterwood staff, to schedule open studio days for the public and to give a lecture and/or demonstration or lead a workshop one day for the benefit of the public. The SIR will be encouraged to interact with other artists-in-residence who are also working at Chesterwood.

ELIGIBILITY:

The SIR must be available to live and work at Chesterwood in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts from Monday, June 9 through Monday, June 30, 2025. The SIR is responsible for their living expenses (i.e. food, materials, and transportation) and must have a car.

Residency candidates must be citizens of or residents in the United States with a social security number. The grant is awarded without regard to sex, ethnicity, race or religion.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 20, 2025

TO APPLY:

Sculptors are asked to submit the following:

• • • Images of 6 to 12 different works with up to 3 views each, with a maximum of 36 images.
    • A resume (in the form of a .pdf document)
    • A brief letter (no more than 500 words) stating why they are interested in the Residency / what they hope to accomplish during the residency (in the form of a .pdf document)

Applications should be emailed to grants@nationalsculpture.org through file sharing programs such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, sendthisfile, Hightail,  etc…  Be sure to list “Chesterwood Residency” in the subject line or body of the email.