— Archie Bray Foundation —

https://archiebray.org/residencies/

Location: Helena, MT

Application Dates: Opened September 29, 2027 and Closes March 1, 2027

Application Fees: No application fee for 2027

Length:

  • Summer Short-Term: 3 months (Beginning June 1, 2027-End of September)

  • Long-Term: 1-2 years (Begins late-August or September)

  • Visiting Artist: 4-6 weeks (invitation based on how the Visiting Artist can complement the residency program)

Housing: None (Archie Bray can help incoming residents connect with folks who like to rent to Bray Artists)

Kilns:

  • 6 Gas kilns of varying size and purpose, including two computer automated Blaauw kilns, one 110 cu. ft Bailey sculpture kiln, two smaller Bailey kilns and one Geil kiln

  • 2 Wood kilns

  • 12 Electric kilns

  • 2 Soda kilns

  • 1 Salt kiln

  • 1 Test Soda kiln

Expenses: Materials at a discount and firings at cost

Funding/Stipend: (Variable by year, these numbers are for 2027 incoming residents)

  • Long-term: $7,500

  • Summer Short-Term: $1,500

  • Visiting Artist: None

Workspace:

  • Long Term: Each studio is approximately 256 square feet with ample shelving (studios are assigned on a lottery system)

    • 5 open-door studio options for accessibility and movement of larger works

    • 5 closed-door studio options provide privacy

  • Short Term: The Summer Studio is a rustic, shared environment featuring ten artist studio spaces for short-term summer resident artists from June 1 - August 31

    • The Summer Studio is 3,500 square feet with one 200 sq. ft. workstation per artist

    • Each artist studio is equipped with a worktable, a 2x3x6’ cart and ample metal shelving

    • The Summer Studio relies on a wood stove for heat

Responsibilities:

  • Leave one piece for the Bray Permanent Collection

  • Contribute to studio upkeep and community (weekly cleaning sessions typically last 1 hour)

  • Participate in Bray Exhibitions

Number of Residents: 10 long-term and 10 short-term

Eligibility Requirements: Anyone can apply. The Bray wants potters and sculptors to apply. If you work in clay, you should apply. International residents do need a visa that allows them to be paid and sell work in the US. We recommend working with International Arts and Artists in Washington DC to create a US State Department approved J1 visa program. Generally speaking, tourist or business class entry methods (B1 and B2 visas) do not allow you to participate in a Bray residency. The exception to this is that Canadian artists can enter the country on a B1 entry if and only if, they are here only for a summer program period, agree to forgo the $1,500 award, do not sell any work while they are in the US.

Additional Opportunities:

  • Optional teaching opportunities

  • Sell in Bray galleries during and after the residency period

  • Access to a brand new 1800 sq. ft. wood and metal shop. Complete with wood and metal-working tools and equipment

  • Access to a 396 sq ft photo lab dedicated to documenting artwork. Includes a large grayscale photo booth and additional lighting equipment

  • Access to a CNC router, 3-D scanner, and a 3-D clay printer

  • Access to a 690 sq ft research library (The John C. Board Research Library) which houses a unique collection of clay and art-related books, magazines and catalogs

  • The Bray operates a retail ceramic supply business where residents may purchase clay, tools and other materials at a discount

  • Minimally structured program

  • Several onsite exhibitions and sales annually for resident artists

  • Access to the Archie Bray permanent collection

  • Be in contact with a variety of art professionals (marketing, finance, directors, gallerists, sales, etc.) all working at Archie Bray and are open to talking and answering questions

  • Off campus exhibition and demo opportunities including Kolva-Sullivan Exhibition, Bi-yearly NCECA exhibitions, Gonzaga Demo Days, Montana State University, and University of Montana Demo Days

Not Pet Friendly (no pets allowed in Archie Bray buildings, exceptions for bonafide service dogs

Wide view of an old industrial or village area with brick buildings, a fenced rounded structure, a tall chimney, and mountains in the background.
A partially built brick structure with decorative circular and rectangular openings, topped with a clay vase, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and cloudy sky.
Decorative brick wall with various art pieces including masks, a painted face, and pottery, outdoors on a cloudy day.
Various ceramic and clay pots displayed on a wooden shelf and below a brick wall with small windows.
A large outdoor sculpture made of stacked clay pipes in a triangular shape with an opening on one side, set against a cloudy sky landscape with mountains, trees, and grass.
An old abandoned farmstead with a tall brick chimney, rusty metal roofs, and broken structures under a cloudy sky.
Outdoor yard with four weathered statues of seated people, surrounded by trees and green grass, with a brick building, old fence, and a tower in the background.
A small park with a dirt path, green grass, and several benches. There are multiple trees, some leafless, others with leaves. The background features houses and a cloudy sky.
View of an old, rustic building with a corrugated metal roof, brick chimney, and various pipes and chimneys sticking out, under a cloudy sky.
An industrial brick oven or kiln with a curved shape and brick archway at the base, surrounded by construction materials like bricks and wooden beams, with two white horse statues inside and a wooden fence in the background.
Interior of a large brick structure with an arched ceiling and bricks stacked in columns. Several small windows are visible in the upper walls, allowing light to enter.
Interior view of a large brick structure with a domed ceiling, showing small windows near the top and a central opening allowing sunlight to enter, revealing the unfinished walls and floor.
Construction site with brick archway and doorway under construction, scaffolding and construction materials visible.
Stacked concrete pipes and construction materials in a garage or storage area with wooden shelves and a wire fence.
An abandoned, dilapidated building with a corrugated metal roof and broken windows. The sky overhead is cloudy and gray, with utility poles and mountains visible in the background.
A wide view of an overcast sky with dark clouds above a yard with trees and buildings including a brick house, a shed, and construction materials.
View of an old, weathered building with a rusty metal roof, brick chimneys, and surrounding open land under a cloudy sky.
A rural scene with a gravel road, a sign that reads 'Slow Down, Speed Limit 15 MPH,' a brick building on the right, and an old barn on the left with a tall chimney. There are hills in the background and cloudy skies overhead.
A rustic outdoor scene featuring a tall brick chimney, a domed structure with weathered shingles, and a weathered barn with a corrugated metal roof. Surrounding the area are old sculptures, overgrown grass, and cloudy skies in the background.
A courtyard with a dirt ground and a picnic table in the foreground, surrounded by buildings and trees, overcast sky.
A large building with a brick base, metal siding, and large windows. In the foreground, there is a dirt area, a small landscaped section with rocks, plants, and garden ornaments, and a concrete sidewalk.
Exterior view of the David & Ann Shaner Resident Artist Studio building, featuring a brick and metal siding facade, with a glass door entrance and a sign indicating the studio's name. There is also a sidewalk and a small rock near the corner of the b
A wooden display case with glass doors containing various ceramic and clay items, including vases, sculptures, and decorative objects.
An indoor corridor with wooden framed windows on the left, a sink and buckets on the left, and various construction or maintenance equipment on the right. The ceiling has exposed pipes and ducts, and the corridor leads to a door at the far end.
View through a large window showing a construction site with building materials, a brick wall, trees, and mountains in the background.
An art studio workspace with a large wooden table covered in pottery wheels and artist tools, surrounded by boxes, painting supplies, a fan, and a window letting in natural light.
A workshop or studio space with a partially enclosed wooden room featuring glass windows and a door. In the foreground, there's a sculpture on a wheeled platform, a sink with a flexible faucet, and various supplies and tools. Shelves and storage unit
A storage room with metal shelves filled with various items such as ceramics, boxes, containers, and craft supplies. Bags, boxes, and miscellaneous clutter are scattered on the floor, with a window on the right allowing natural light in.
A cluttered art studio with tables filled with various art supplies, pottery, and crafting materials. There are chairs, a workbench, and a large window letting in natural light. The floor is concrete, and there's an outdoor structure with solar panel
Interior of an art or craft studio with artwork and sculptures on shelves and carts, high ceilings, large windows, and bright industrial lighting.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a blue Thrasher T-shirt, is sculpting a small animal or mythical creature from clay in a studio with industrial shelving and a brick wall.
A safety room with various fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, and an electrical test area, against a cinderblock wall.
Industrial workspace with pottery on a wooden pallet, large kilns, and ventilation ducts on gray brick walls.
Industrial workshop with large metal machine and various piping and equipment, concrete walls, and a bucket in the foreground.
Interior of a garage with a large window showing mountains outside, featuring various tools, equipment, and stacks of wood.
Construction site with brick wall and outdoor pizza oven under a metal roof, with a large tree stump and outdoor furniture nearby.
A homemade oven constructed with bricks and concrete, situated under a partly covered outdoor area with unfinished walls and surrounding plants.
An outdoor work area under a metal roof with a wood-fired oven, a large pile of firewood, gardening tools, a blue watering can, and a makeshift table. There are trees and buildings in the background.
A covered outdoor woodworking or lumber storage area with stacks of cut firewood, work tables, and various tools and equipment. There are metal and brick structures, with a corrugated metal roof and open sides, and a view of a brick building and sky
A large pile of chopped firewood is in the foreground outside. There are two buildings, one red brick and one metal, with trees and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
Interior of a large workshop or warehouse with various tools, workbenches, and equipment, including power saws, toolboxes, and wooden boards, with a high ceiling and bright lighting.
Indoor workshop space with assorted wood planks on a rack, a red ladder, metal scaffolding, storage bins, and a large wooden panel on the wall. The ceiling has exposed insulation and a garage door on the left side.
Outdoors scene with a metal workshop shed, piles of cut logs, and various trees and buildings under a cloudy sky.
A pile of cut logs and wood pieces in front of a building with a cloudy sky overhead.
A landscape with a pile of red bricks and a brick chimney, surrounded by fallen tree logs, dry grass, and sparse bushes, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A rural landscape with dry grass in the foreground, scattered trees, and a mountain range under a cloudy sky.
A rural landscape with a dirt road, grassy fields on either side, and a sky filled with dark gray clouds. There are utility poles along the road, some with electrical equipment on top, and distant hills or mountains in the background.
View of an outdoor patio area with various decorative pottery, a red brick building, and a garden bed with green plants and small yellow flowers.
Collection of discarded pottery and ceramic objects, including bowls, pots, and sculptures, placed outdoors beside a corrugated metal wall.
A metal industrial building with a large garage door, smaller side door, and ventilation units on the roof. The sky is partly cloudy.
An industrial workshop with black pipes, metal staircases, and various tools and equipment scattered around. Buckets and boxes are stored on pallets and on the floor, with a concrete wall in the background.
Interior of a warehouse or workshop with machinery, tools, and equipment, including a forklift and various supplies and boxes.
Interior of a warehouse with a high, curved metal roof, stacked boxes, pallets, and industrial equipment.
Interior of a warehouse or storage room with yellow metal shelving units stocked with boxes and supplies. The ceiling is made of rough stone or concrete, and the floor is concrete with some visible cracks. There are a few tools and carts on the floor
Industrial storage room with metal shelving filled with cardboard boxes labeled "Bray Clay." The room has a high, textured ceiling and a concrete floor with some cracks, and there are various tools and equipment visible on the right side.
A store or warehouse aisle with shelves containing paint bottles and containers in various colors. There is a black utility cart in the foreground and pallets with boxes on the left side.
Exterior of a metal industrial building with a sliding door, two caution signs, and parking lot in front, under a cloudy sky.
A hardware store aisle displaying shelves with various paint supplies, brushes, and color samples, along with bins of foam filters and other accessories.
Display of various jars and bottles of paint and art supplies on store shelves.
Store shelf with pottery glazes and supplies, including boxes of ceramic stains, plastic bins of clay or glazes, and buckets, with a window in the background.
A brick house with a deck in front, parked car, open field, and cloudy sky with dark clouds.
A red brick house with a steep roof and two small windows. The house has a front porch with stairs, decorated with various statues and objects, and is situated outside on a dirt path with some grass.
An industrial workshop with exposed wooden beams and brick walls, filled with metal shelving units, tables with woodworking materials, a vintage wood stove, and various tools and chairs scattered throughout.
Interior of a warehouse with brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, and metal shelves. Several tables and chairs are visible, along with construction and storage items. Natural light enters through windows.
An unfinished room with exposed brick walls, two windows, a wooden table with a protective covering, a metal rack, and a black bag on the floor.
Interior of a room under renovation with red brick walls, metal shelving units, a large wooden work table, and some chairs.
Detailed stone relief sculpture on brick wall depicting various abstract and stylized figures, masks, and shapes, likely representing cultural or artistic themes.
Modern building with a combination of brick and metal siding, large glass doors, and a decorative metal artwork on the brick wall, surrounded by a landscaped yard.
A kitchen with beige cabinets, white appliances including a stove and refrigerator, and a tiled floor. There are various items on top of the cabinets and counters, such as bowls, boxes, and small appliances.
A room with a pool table in the foreground and multiple chairs and tables in the background. The ceiling has wooden beams and hanging lights. There is a flat-screen TV on the wall, and large windows let in natural light.
Inside view of a building with large windows, brick walls, wooden door, leather sofa, and view of outdoor patio area with wooden awning and a tree.
A wide view of a building with a tall brick chimney, surrounded by trees, some of which are leafless, under a cloudy sky, with an open dirt area in the foreground.
An outdoor scene with a brick chimney, leafless trees, and old brick buildings and structures, under a cloudy sky.
A rustic building with a rusted metal roof, a brick chimney, and an open garage area. A black car is parked in front of the building, and gray clouds cover the sky. There are some leafless trees and utility poles nearby, with a rural landscape in the
Construction site of a brick building with exposed pipes, wood beams, and chains. The foundation and walls are partially built, with construction tools and equipment visible.
Under construction brick oven with brick and metal framework in progress.
A rustic indoor space with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and construction materials. There is a metal shelving unit with wooden shelves, some tools, and miscellaneous objects. The floor is concrete, and the area appears to be under renovation or
A rustic outdoor scene with an old brick chimney, a streetlamp, and a brick building under cloudy skies.
A brick building with a garage door and a door with glass panels, decorated with various tile art and signs on the wall. The sky is cloudy, and there are trees and a large open area with gravel and some benches in the background.
A red brick building with red doors and windows, and a ramp with wooden railings, decorated with various yard art items. The building has a flat black roof with a few balloons and a bird sculpture on top. The sky above is partly cloudy with a mix of
Outdoor art display on a brick wall with various tiles and ceramic sculptures, including a torso. The scene features a cloudy sky and a park with trees and sculptures in the background. The display is bordered by white ropes connected to brown posts.
Shelves filled with various ceramics, including vases, bowls, and sculptures at a thrift store or antique shop.
Shelf of various ceramic teapots and cups with handwritten tags.
Shelving unit filled with various ceramic and pottery items, including vases, bowls, and decorative sculptures, in a warehouse with a wooden ceiling.
A metal bookshelf with three shelves displaying various ceramic and pottery vases and sculptures in an art gallery or craft store. The room has a wooden ceiling and brick wall in the background.
Photo of black metal shelves filled with various ceramic and pottery items, including vases, bowls, and sculptures, in an indoor setting.
Professional photography studio setup with a large white backdrop, multiple softbox lights, and reflectors for portrait photography.
A parking lot with a large patch of dirt in the foreground, a white building labeled 'The Bray Education,' and trees and buildings in the background under a cloudy sky.
Empty shelves and display cases in a hallway of an indoor building, possibly a store or library.
A spacious indoor area with large windows, multiple tables on casters, and plants on the window sills, possibly a workshop or community space.
Inside of a library with wooden bookshelves filled with books, decorated pottery, and signs with alphanumeric codes. There are overhead fluorescent lights and a door in the background.
View of a library aisle with wooden bookshelves filled with books, some with colored labels. The room has a carpeted floor, a red door at the end of the aisle, and chairs and tables in the background. Fluorescent lighting and an exposed ventilation d
A small wooden structure with a red, pointed roof and arched openings, surrounded by various garden decorations, trees, and buildings under a cloudy sky.
Landscape scene with a small wooden building with a pointed roof, trees, a bench, decorative items, and a cloudy sky.
A collection of various decorative items and stones lined up along a wire fence on a gravel path, with parked cars, brick structures, and mountains in the background.
Various painted rocks and driftwood arranged on grass, with a tree stump in the center.
View of a modern brick building with large windows and a covered patio area. There are decorative stacks of bricks in wire containers on the patio, a concrete staircase, and a paved area in front. The sky is cloudy.
A cozy living room corner featuring a red leather sofa with throw pillows, a wooden coffee table with magazines, a teal armchair, a glass display cabinet with decorative items, a painting of a rural landscape, and a fire extinguisher mounted on the w
Interior view of a building with exposed brick walls, ceiling lights, and wooden beams. There are display tables with various pottery items and signs that say 'Watch your step'. A window with trees outside is visible in the background.
Red brick wall with a wide archway opening. Inside, there are colorful rabbit-shaped paper masks hanging on the wall and a tall decorative vase with a black and orange geometric pattern. A white pedestal is in front of the wall, with objects and info
Interior of an art gallery displaying various ceramic and pottery pieces on white pedestals and shelves, with wooden ceiling accents and a large window showing trees outside.
Interior of an art store with wooden shelves displaying colorful ceramics, vases, mugs, bowls, and decorative items. A white display pedestal holds large black and gray vases. Additional ceramics are arranged on a smaller shelf and on the floor, with
Display of various ceramic and pottery art pieces arranged on a long wooden counter and shelves in an art gallery.
Ceramic sculptures resembling clusters of mushrooms and intricate twisted shapes on display in an art gallery with wooden shelves and brick walls.
Wooden shelves displaying colorful ceramic and pottery pieces, including cups, vases, and decorative objects, in a gallery or shop setting.
Art gallery with sculptures on wooden pedestals and wall-mounted ceramic or textile art pieces. Spotlights illuminate the artwork in a minimalist setting.
Art gallery with sculptures, paintings, and wooden display tables in a well-lit room.
Art gallery with various paintings and sculptures on display, including framed artworks on the wall and head sculptures on a table, in a brightly lit room with beige walls and a polished concrete floor.

Take a look at what Archie Bray Foundation’s past residents have to say about their residency experience:

Past Resident Reviews