Applications are now open for the spring 2026 Edgar Heap of Birds Family Artist Residency at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. 

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture invites applications for a spring 2026 residency in the Art Department, which encompasses undergraduate and graduate programs in Ceramics, Fibers and Material Studies, Glass, Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. The residency duration is flexible, ranging from one to five months, and will be scheduled within the spring 2026 semester (January–May 2026) based on the selected artist’s availability.  

The residency will be awarded to an artist whose work is primarily focused on the history and lived experience of North American federally recognized tribal citizens and who exemplifies the art and activism of the artist Edgar Heap of Birds in bringing attention to the lives, struggles and triumphs of Native Americans. The artist in residence will have the opportunity to mentor and advise Tyler students. The residency will culminate in an exhibition to be held in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery in Temple Contemporary, Tyler’s center for exhibitions and public programs.   

Artist Norman Akers recently completed the inaugural Edgar Heap of Birds Family Artist Residency in May 2025. The work he created during this residency will be presented in a solo exhibition opening at Temple Contemporary in September 2025. Learn more about Norman Akers and the inaugural residency.  

The residency will provide an opportunity for an artist to expand their personal practice while offering access to Tyler’s state-of-the art studio facilities and community of artists, designers, architects, and scholars. Tyler’s programs encompass a wide range of areas in the study of art, design, art history, art education and architecture. In each program, students benefit from a rigorous curriculum and a large, diverse campus community.  

Residency includes:  

• Individual studio  
• 24-hour access to shared studio facilities and equipment  
• $1,500 materials budget  
• Opportunity to teach, mentor, and/or advise students  
• Access to Temple University’s 4,000,000 volume libraries  
• Participation in a solo exhibition  
• Stipend of $3,500 per month  

Residents will be responsible for securing their own housing during the residency. Temple University offers an online resource to search for furnished, off-campus housing options: https://offcampus.temple.edu/housing   

Residents will be responsible for shipping costs for artwork produced during the residency or for the exhibition.  

To apply, please visit https://temple.slideroom.com/#/Login to create an account and complete/upload the following materials by September 22, 2025:  

• Application form  
• Cover letter  
• Resume or CV  
• 20 images of artwork with image identification list  
• Artist statement  
• Contact information for three references  

For technical assistance with your application, please email [click-for-email].  

For other questions, email Maggie Dunkle, [click-for-email].    

This program is made possible through the generosity of the Edgar Heap of Birds Family. Additional support is provided by Sandy Cadwalader.