Second Shift Studio Residency Program
applications for the 2025-26 residency are now open. Applications are due February 28 at 11:59 pm.
Second Shift Studio offers free, year-long studio residencies to four artists who identify as women, gender non-conforming, or are otherwise marginalized as a result of their gender identity. Creatives working in multiple disciplines — including visual arts, writing, performance, and curation — are welcome to apply. Applicants may not be enrolled in any degree program for the duration of the residency period and may not maintain a separate studio during their time at Second Shift.
Resident artists will be awarded one of Second Shift Studio’s four rent-free non-living, 350 square-foot studio spaces for the year of 2025-2026. Resident artists will also have access to Second Shift Studio’s storefront/gallery space, a kitchenette, and a basement storage space. Please read our FAQ below before applying.
Before you apply, we invite you to:
Join us for a New Applicant Open House on February 12, 6–8 pm. This is an opportunity to see the studio space, ask questions, and meet the Current Resident artists.
Review our 2025-26 Residency Agreement.
Visit our website to learn more about our residents and past projects.
Please direct questions to secondshiftstudiomanager@gmail.com
FAQ
When does the residency begin?
The 2025-26 residency cycle will begin on July 15, 2025 and end June 30, 2026.
All applicants will be contacted by the end of May 2025 about their applications.
How are the residents selected?
Second Shift’s Board of Directors will review the applications and select the 2025-2026 residents.
Residents are judged on strength of work, intent of use and need for work space, and those seeking a community of other artists.
What is expected of residents?
We ask that residents:
Spend at least 15 hours per week in their studio
Actively participate in events hosted by Second Shift: Art Soups, exhibition openings, artist talks
Participate in a midyear group critique
Maintain the Second Shift Studio Space: Cleaning the bathroom, shoveling during winter, take out garbage, etc.
Organize a public event at some point during the year
Participate in social media outreach on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook
Participate in an introductory group show with current work at the beginning of the residency
Do they have to complete a body of work during the residency?
In terms of creative output, our expectations are to demonstrate a responsibility to the community and maintain an active and engaged studio practice. While there is no set amount of work that needs to be finished by the end of the year, we ask that residents have something to show for the time they have put into their practice during their residency.
Where is Second Shift?
Second Shift is located at 1128 Payne Avenue, in the heart of Saint Paul’s East Side. If you would like to tour the space before applying, please reach out.
Who can apply?
Our program is for artists creatives and curators who are marginalized as a result of their gender identity who are over the age of 21. Creatives working in multiple disciplines are welcome to apply—this includes visual artists, writers, dancers, curators, etc. Applicants may not be enrolled in any degree program for the duration of the residency period, and may not maintain a separate studio during their time at Second Shift.
What do you mean when we say people who are marginalized as a result of their gender identity?
Second Shift is a platform for those with marginalized gender identities whose voices have historically not been given equal representation in the art world. This includes (but is not limited to) people who are gender non-conforming, trans, non-binary, two-spirit, genderqueer/fluid, cis-gender women, trans women, and transmen.
What are the facilities like?
Second Shift houses four rent-free non-living, 350 square-foot studio spaces, a storefront, a kitchenette, and a basement storage space. The way these spaces are shared and divided amongst residents will change year to year, depending on the dynamics of that cycle’s residents. Spaces will be assigned based on the needs and plans outlined in your residency application. Residents are expected to provide all their own tools and materials.
What kind of work samples do you accept?
We ask to see 15-20 images or under 5 minutes of video/sound. If you would like to submit both images and video, please limit yourself to 5-7 images and under 2.5 minutes of video/sound. Writers may submit up to 8 pages of writing samples.
Are residents required to be vaccinated for COVID-19?
Yes, we strongly prefer that all residents are vaccinated by the start of their residency.
Is there a materials stipend?
There is no material stipend at this time, though we are currently seeking funding.