Vision
- The Half Moon Bay Artist Residency supports participating artists in furthering their work and artistic process by providing a live/work space in a beautiful and restorative natural environment.
- The residency also provides the HMB residents an opportunity to interact with the resident artist in the interest of making HMB a more vibrant community.
- Access to a well-equipped art studio.
- An exhibition and reception at the end of the residency (including printed invitations, refreshments, installation assistance, etc.).
- Miscellaneous supplies and equipment.
- Create at least one piece of public art suitable for temporary display or performance in the local Coastside area* before the residency concludes.
- Be available to talk with the media at a mutually convenient time.
- Participate in an artist’s reception/talk at the conclusion of the residency.
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Artists in Residence
The application period for the Half Moon Bay Artist Residency is now open for residencies starting in January 2014.
Artists from all over the world are invited to our residency, in Half Moon Bay California. We offer a combination of several long weekends for local artists, and one- and three-month-long residencies.
Artists are provided a private room with separate entrance within a three-minute walk to the Pacific Ocean/beach. Access to a studio with a print press, easel and art-making materials are available. Access to the kitchen and laundry in the main household are also available.
Because we believe a range of backgrounds enhances the experience, residencies are open to artists from any field, as well as scientists, engineers and environmentalists.
Details
Half Moon Bay’s Artist Residency program offers the gift of time and space. Residents are given a living space and access to a studios with the time and space to create. Residents are responsible for food, travel, supplies and the accommodation fee. Applicants are encouraged to apply for grants or Kickstarter programs to cover costs. Please include your request for a scholarship amount where indicated on the application as applications for 2014 may include a scholarship component to reduce or eliminate the accommodation fee.
By design, the artist enjoys solitary time to reflect and create. Some assistance in the studio is available to train on equipment, locate resources, etc. The HMB Artist Residency Executive Director, Laura McHugh, is an artist living on-site. Ms. McHugh can provide guidance to local artist studio visits, gallery visits and local entertainment and amenities. A shared weekly meal and collaboration is available with Ms McHugh and HMB artist community members.
Artists are encouraged to do outreach projects with Half Moon Bay community members and a final public art project. This may be a public performance, guerilla art, or gallery show to honor the emerging field of public/social practice art that is blooming in California. We believe public/social practice art will contribute to our community becoming a more vibrant and attractive place for people to visit and live. This goal is consistent with the San Mateo County's objectives for art in its community cities as well.
Please include a description of the public/social aspects of the work you are most interested in pursuing, consistent with our vision and objective where indicated on the application.
Artists who are interested in working with school children or seniors should indicate that on their application. Every effort will be made to accommodate these requests.
Calendar
One-month residencies are available for the months of January, February and March. Two three-month residencies are available for May 1- July 31 and Sept 1 - November 30. The remainder of the time is available for week-long and weekend residencies. Multiple sessions for week-long and weekend residencies are available.
The due date for applications is June 15.
The selection committee meets in late summer to review the applications. Letters of acceptance are made in early September for the following calendar year.
Admission
A panel of artists, art professionals and community members selects artists for the residencies each year. The selection committee changes each year to keep the program dynamic. Admission guidelines are available here.
Accommodations
Residents are provided a private room with a queen-sized bed and couch, bathroom, flat screen television with cable, a whirlpool tub and roof-top deck with a view of the Pacific Ocean. The unit has a coffee pot, microwave, small refrigerator and dishes.
The kitchen in the main household has a state-of-the-art kitchen and laundry available for use by agreement with the owner. Free WI-FI access is available. A bike and car are available for short-term loan with proper license and insurance coverage.
The main household has two small, friendly non-shedding dogs that do not have access to the artist unit or adjoining yard and deck.
Environment
While it is not required to interact with the local environment, nature in the area has been described as very restorative, though it can often be foggy. The Pacific Ocean with a walkable coastal trail that runs 6-8 miles is within a three-minute walk. San Francisco is 30 miles north. Goat farms, including artisnal cheese making, artist galleries and studios are located within a 15-mile radius.
Collaborations
Artists who wish to apply with one additional collaborator should apply with one project description, but separate references and processing fee. Collaborators share accommodations and studio.
Communication/Internet
There is one shared computer with WI-FI. Most artists bring their own laptop or WI-FI enabled phone or tablet. Cell phone coverage is good. A landline is available, but a phone card is required for long-distance calls.
Eligibility
Professional artists from all disciplines, as well as scientists, engineers and environmentalists, are eligible. Alumni must wait a year before reapplying.
Applications
The 2014 application is now available. Please visit the applications page.
Applications must be postmarked by June 15 and should include a fee of $35 made out to HMB Artist Residency. Paypal is the preferred payment method; however, credit card payments can be arranged over the phone.
Applications should be sent to HMB Artist Residency, 285 Poplar Street, Half Moon Bay CA 94019 or emailed to lauramchugh@me.com.
Studio Space
Writers and others not needing an expansive space can work in the accommodation, which contains a writing table and loveseat.
Visual artists can work in the studio if desired. The 400 sf studio is primarily for painting, printmaking and photography and includes a print press (27x40), computer equipped with Lightroom and Photoshop, Epson archival quality photo printer, and laser jet printer. The studio also includes ample light, and table space.
Guests
Children, partners and spouses are welcome for day visits, but overnight accommodations are limited to the resident artist only. We regret that pets are not allowed.
Community Outreach
Artists are required to present a public project during the residency that involves the HMB community in some way as participants or observers. We will assist in setting this up for artists if requested.
