Artist in Residence Program

Throughout its rich history, Lakewood has been a place of comfort, solace, and beauty that is shared with our families and the community, providing inspiration for many artistic ideas. As both an active cemetery, and a cultural landscape, Lakewood is committed to providing new ways to honor, remember, and memorialize through a variety of mediums.

This year, with support from the Lakewood Heritage Foundation, Lakewood is excited to announce our new Artist in Residence Program! For the launch of this program, we are welcoming 2-4 artists to create and share new original artwork with our families, visitors and community. The resident artists will explore our beautiful and sacred grounds and create art drawn from their own experiences of the cemetery, using their creative practices to highlight new perspectives on Lakewood and engage our visitors.

Artists from all mediums are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Visual Artists
Performers
Writers
Musicians
And more!

We encourage creativity in project ideas, whether they are centered on memorialization, remembrance, history, nature, or inspired by Lakewood itself. Priority may be given to projects that highlight remembrance across cultures.

AiR Details and Dates

The 2025 application form will be available starting November 1, 2024. The grant must result in a deliverable product, program, or event that is unique to Lakewood Cemetery. All projects will be presented to the public (how and when projects are presented is to be determined by the artist and Lakewood).

Award amount: $500 – $5,000
Total Awards: 2 – 4 artists selected
Application due: January 31, 2025
Award notifications: March 11, 2025
Residency start: May 1, 2025
Residency end: April 30, 2026

FAQs

How do I apply for the program?

All applicants must complete the interactive form accessible on this page from November 1, 2024 until January 31, 2025. Artists working as a pair, group, or collective should submit a single application.

Are there any requirements or parameters for the art being displayed or performed?

Resident artists must communicate and coordinate with Lakewood staff so their activities do not interfere with family needs and experiences, such as planning, burials, placements, funerals, receptions, visiting a grave or mausoleum, and all other types of family events/services.
The making and presentation of art must not impact, alter, or affect Lakewood’s plant collections, monuments, buildings, waters, wildlife, landscaping, or grounds maintenance.
Lakewood cannot provide studio space or equipment. Resident artists will be based out of their own homes or studios, incorporate visits to Lakewood into their creative process, and use Lakewood as a venue for research, inspiration and presentation.
Between the residency start and end dates, residents will present their project at Lakewood. Art will not remain permanently at Lakewood.
- Art that includes physical objects, such as paintings or sculptures, will be displayed as a temporary exhibition in the Welcome Center gallery space. Art cannot be installed across the grounds or at any graves or markers.
- Art that includes non-physical experiences, such as performances or readings, cannot be presented at any graves or markers, but will instead take place in buildings or open outdoor areas approved by Lakewood staff.

Will the artists receive office space at Lakewood?

Lakewood does not provide office or studio space. Use of our buildings can be requested on a case-by-case basis as needed by the artist.

How will funding work?

Artists will be granted a check for 50% of their total award upon acceptance. The other 50% will be delivered upon completion of the residency.

How will artists be selected?

A small jury of cross-departmental staff at Lakewood will select artists based on the strength of project proposals and their positive impact for our community.

Apply for the Lakewood Artist in Residence Program

Please complete the application below by January 31, 2025 to be considered for the Lakewood Artist in Residence program. Complete the application with as much detail as possible. If you have questions or any difficulty with the form please email amandal@lakewoodcemetery.org.

As a reminder, not all applicants will be selected, but all will be notified either way on March 11th, 2025.

When you submit your application, we will confirm that it was received via email within 5-10 business days after it is submitted.

Artist in Residence Application

First Name *

Last Name *

Your Email Address *

Your Phone *

Address

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Artist Bio / CV / Resume

Maximum file size: 52.43MB

If applicable, please share your website or virtual gallery here.

Social Media Handle / Links

Project Name

Project Description *

Discipline / Media

Project summary *

0 of 160 max characters

When will your project take place?

What is your timeline for producing and then presenting your project? *

Where will you produce and then present your project? Production can take place onsite or offsite, depending on your process. Presentation must take place at Lakewood (e.g., Welcome Center gallery or another space). Be as specific as possible. *

Budget (Include honorarium/stipend, supplies, etc.) Please be as detailed as possible. *

What themes will your project explore? (Death and grief, remembrance, local history, biodiversity, etc.) *

Do you have a personal connection to Lakewood? If so, please elaborate. *

Target audience

Collaborators (if applicable)

If we are not able to provide the requested amount of funding, is your project scalable?

As part of this project, are you willing to work with Lakewood to spread the word about your project by sharing on social media?

As part of this project, are you willing to be interviewed for blog posts, newsletters, social media, and possibly media if requested?

As part of this project, are you willing to work with Lakewood to promote your work by participating in special programs, talks, or events?

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The Lakewood Heritage Foundation

This offering is sponsored by the Lakewood Heritage Foundation. Donations to the Lakewood Heritage Foundation support educational programming and the preservation and restoration of Lakewood’s landscape, art, architecture and public spaces—for the benefit of all.

You can donate on the Lakewood Heritage Foundation page.

Questions?

For more information, please contact Amanda Luke, Community Programs Manager at amandal@lakewoodcemetery.org.