Residency Program
Residency at Mainframe Studios
Established with funds from Brown’s estate and donations from family and friends, the Alex Brown Foundation & Residency Fund in partnership with Mainframe Studios is happy to announce our residents for 2021 and 2022.
Mission
Residency Term
The residency term lasts for a fixed period of eight weeks in 2023, with a start date on the first of the month. Applications accepted from artists working in any medium.
Amenities included
The residency is designed to provide the artist with an opportunity to focus entirely on their work for an extended period of time, in a comfortable work and living environment, and in a city consistently ranked in recent years as one of the best places to live in the U.S.—the city David Byrne called “beyond cool.” A residency at The Alex Brown Foundation is ideal for those looking to work in a spacious private studio with little distraction.
Studio
Stipend
Housing
The studio
The 1400-square foot studio space at Mainframe Studios, a renovated 1970s telecommunications building in downtown Des Moines operated on a 501(c)(3) nonprofit basis, provides permanent affordable workspace to artists of all disciplines. Originally built out to Alex’s specifications, this spacious and quiet studio has great natural light from a northern exposure, in a secure facility occupied by local artists and designers.
Mainframe Studios has recently installed building-wide improvements including an Air Purification system that proactively attacks airborne contaminants and better humidity controls. Mainframe also houses its very own art store, The Blok, to aid our artists creative endeavors.
Des Moines
For a city of its size and regionally rooted culture, Des Moines has a remarkably strong arts community. At the root is the Des Moines Art Center, a world class institution with a remarkable collection and diverse program housed in tremendous facilities with wings by Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier. The main Art Center facility is complemented by other public art throughout the city, most notably the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden at the west end of downtown, and by a rich municipal architectural heritage. In recent years, the city has become an increasingly attractive permanent base for artists, with a wide array of outstanding and affordable studio space and housing.
2023 Residency Application Is Now Closed
The Alex Brown Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2023 artist residency program. Applications will be accepted from artists working in any medium. No application fee will be charged. We will be accepting applications until March 15, 2022 for residencies beginning January 1 of 2023. If you are interested in participating, complete the form below and compile your application materials into a single PDF, including:
- Statement of purpose (800 words or less)
- Portfolio of 12-20 images
- Resume or C.V.
2023 Residency Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 (11:59 CT)
* The Alex Brown Foundation will accept international applicants (non-U.S. citizens) in accordance with Residency guidelines and U.S. visitor, visa and tax laws. Artists currently living and working in the U.S. with a valid visa are eligible and encouraged to apply. Artists are responsible for managing their visa status if accepted to the residency. The Alex Brown Foundation cannot currently assist in any visa related issues.