Open Call Details
Residency Period: May–November 2027
Exhibition Dates: November 2027–May 2028
Location: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami, Florida
Artist Fee: $12,500
Production Budget: Up to $25,000
Artist Studio: Two artist-led programs during the exhibition period, plus open studio hours during Vizcaya’s Sunday Farmers Market
Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026
oPEN CALL INFORMATION SESSION
Learn more about the Vizcaya Arts program and check out the recording of the latest information session.
overview
Vizcaya’s Contemporary Arts Program (CAP) enters a new chapter in 2027 as the Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission. With a dedicated studio space and increased public engagement opportunities, the program now supports visual artists through every stage of developing new site-specific work, from research and development to production and exhibition.
Vizcaya Arts invites applications from South Florida-based emerging, mid-career, and established visual artists working across all disciplines. The inaugural residency supports new projects engaging Vizcaya’s cultural, historical, architectural, and ecological contexts. Selected artists receive dedicated studio space, curatorial and production support, and opportunities for public engagement, culminating in the development and presentation of a newly commissioned, site-responsive work at Vizcaya.
2027 Theme: Holding Time
The 2027 Open Call is organized around the theme of Holding Time. At a moment marked by environmental uncertainty, technological acceleration and evolving perspectives on history and identity, Holding Time considers Vizcaya’s Main House as an active container of time — one that holds architectural history, material transformation, collective memory and environmental change in constant tension.
Visual artists are invited to consider the Main House as both a setting and a subject, and to imagine a cohesive, site-responsive exhibition that engages with the first and second floors of the Main House.
Artists are invited to consider the Main House as both a setting and a subject, and to imagine a cohesive, site-responsive exhibition that engages with the first and second floors of the Main House.
PROGRAM
Residency
During the residency period of May–November 2027, the selected artist will use Vizcaya’s Artist Studio as a site for creative investigation and project development. The residency gives the selected artist space and time to develop the work through research, testing, fabrication and dialogue with Vizcaya staff and resources, while providing community engagement opportunities related to the commissioned work.
Artist Studio
The selected artist will be the first resident to use Vizcaya’s newly established Artist Studio, located in the historic Chicken House in Vizcaya Village. The 375-square-foot studio is a newly rehabilitated space designed to support research, experimentation and the development of new work in a variety of media. The selected artist will have exclusive use of the studio during the residency period.
Commission
The residency will culminate in a newly commissioned work or body of work presented at Vizcaya from November 2027 to May 2028.
The commissioned project should respond thoughtfully to Vizcaya and inspire new ways for audiences to experience the estate in relation to its history, architecture, environment and contemporary relevance. All projects must be developed and presented in accordance with Vizcaya’s preservation, conservation, safety and site-use guidelines.
Public Engagement
The selected artist will have opportunities to share their process and work with the public throughout the residency and exhibition. Public programs may include, but are not limited to, artist talks, guided tours, workshops and conversations. Vizcaya will collaborate with the artist to develop and promote these programs.
Artist Commitments
- Engage with Vizcaya’s collections, landscapes, architecture, archives and broader cultural resources as part of the creative process.
- Develop a new site-responsive project for presentation at Vizcaya.
- Spend a minimum of 10 hours per week in the studio throughout the residency.
- Participate in 10 hours of scheduled open studio hours during Vizcaya’s Sunday Farmers Market, at times mutually agreed upon with Vizcaya staff.
- Lead 2 public programs during the exhibition period.
Compensation
The selected visual artist will receive:
- $12,500 artist fee
- Up to $25,000 production budget for fabrication, installation and presentation of the commissioned work
- Separate compensation for public programs and open studio hours
- Exclusive use of the Artist Studio in Vizcaya’s historic Chicken House during the residency period
- Curatorial and project guidance from Vizcaya staff
- Exhibition interpretive materials, including exhibition labels and related visitor-facing content
- Professional photographic documentation of the residency and exhibition
- An exhibition brochure featuring the commissioned project and artist
- A short documentary film produced by Vizcaya, documenting the development and presentation of the work
- Marketing and communications support for the residency, exhibition and public programs
WHO CAN APPLY
Applications are open to South Florida-based emerging, mid-career and established artists working in all disciplines.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A strong and sustained visual artistic practice
- An interest in site-responsive and research-based work
- The ability to engage thoughtfully with Vizcaya’s cultural, historical and environmental contexts
- The ability to develop and complete a new commission within the residency timeline and budget
- A willingness to participate in public engagement activities
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Artistic excellence and originality
- Strength and relevance of the applicant’s approach to Holding Time
- Potential to meaningfully engage with Vizcaya’s site and resources
- Feasibility of developing the proposed direction during the residency
- Potential for meaningful public engagement
application
What to Submit
Applicants will be asked to submit by November 2, 2026:
- Contact information
- Short bio (max. 150 words)
- Artist statement (max. 300 words)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
- Portfolio of recent work (5–10 images)
- Statement of interest addressing the theme Holding Time
- One letter of support
Statement of Interest
Your statement of interest should explain how you might approach Holding Time through your artistic practice. A fully developed exhibition proposal is not required.
- Please use the statement to describe:
- The questions, ideas or areas of research you would like to explore
- How your artistic practice might respond to Vizcaya
- Any preliminary ideas for the exhibition or commissioned work
- How you might use the residency period to develop, test or expand your ideas
Application Timeline
- Application Deadline: November 2, 2026
- Shortlisted Artists Notified: By December 31, 2026
- Selection Committee Interviews: January 2027
- Residency + Commission Awardee Notified: March 2027
- Residency: May–November 2027
- Exhibition: November 2027–May 2028
Past recipients & projects
About Vizcaya Arts: Vizcaya Arts, formerly known as the Vizcaya Contemporary Arts Program (CAP), has commissioned artists since 2006 to develop new work responding to the estate’s unique history and landscape. Inspired by the dynamic, creative spirit that characterized Vizcaya’s inception 100 years ago, the program continues Vizcaya owner James Deering’s tradition as an arts patron and bridges dialogues between the historic and the contemporary.
Beginning in 2027, the program expands into the Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission, providing artists with studio space to research, experiment, ask questions and formulate new ideas that respond to Vizcaya’s cultural, historical, architectural and ecological contexts. As a home for Miami and inspiration for all, Vizcaya serves as a vehicle to engage artists — and the public — in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future.
Site Overview: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the Miami estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering to engage our community and its visitors in learning through the arts, history and the environment. Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in United States history, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs built lavish estates inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House filled with a decorative art collection, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, the Vizcaya Café and Shop, and a historic village that will be restored for additional venues for programs and community outreach.
FAQs
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to South Florida-based visual artists. Artists may work across a range of visual art practices and media. There is no preference for a particular media
What does “South Florida-based” mean? Do I have to live in Miami-Dade County?
Artists working in South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Artists should consider the practical requirements of participating in an on-site residency at Vizcaya. Housing and accommodations are not provided, and the selected artist will need to be able to spend meaningful time at Vizcaya during the residency period.
Can an artist with an LLC apply?
Yes. Having an LLC does not make an artist ineligible.
Can artist collectives apply?
Yes. A collective may apply if its members work collaboratively as part of the artistic practice and residency. The artist fee will remain the same, however.
Can I apply if I have participated in Vizcaya’s Contemporary Arts Program (CAP) before?
Yes. Previous participation in CAP does not make an artist ineligible for this opportunity.
Can I submit more than one application—for example, one individually and another as part of a duo?
No. Because this opportunity includes both a commission and use of the residency studio, artists should submit a single application. If collaboration with another artist is relevant to the proposed work, that can be addressed within the application.
The Application
Do I need to submit a fully developed exhibition proposal?
No. Applicants are not expected to have a fully developed exhibition at the time of application. Ideas may—and are expected to—evolve during the residency.
The application should demonstrate your interest in the theme, your engagement with Vizcaya as a site, and how the residency could support the development of your practice and ideas.
Can I submit video samples of my work?
Yes. Video files are supported in the application submission portal.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is November 2, 2026.
Can artwork be attached to the historic walls or ceilings?
No. Artwork cannot be drilled, hooked or otherwise permanently attached to the historic walls or ceilings.
Can I propose performance-based work?
A standalone live performance will not be considered because the project is intended to function as a sustained exhibition.
However, performance or theatrical elements incorporated into a lasting format—such as a recorded performance presented as a video installation—may be considered.
Does the studio have windows and natural light?
Yes. The studio has natural light. Artificial lighting is also being designed to provide light appropriate for an artist workspace.
What are the studio access hours?
Studio access will generally correspond with Vizcaya’s operating hours, approximately 9 a.m.–5 p.m. During Sunday Farmers Market operations, daytime access will also be available, with seasonal operating hours applying.
Specific access arrangements will be coordinated with the selected artist.
Do I have to produce all of the artwork in the Vizcaya studio?
No. The studio is intended to support the artist’s creative process, but the entire commission does not need to be physically fabricated there.
Artists may use the studio for research, experimentation, testing, conceptual development or production. Components requiring specialized equipment or services may be produced elsewhere or outsourced to fabricators.
For example, if a project requires equipment Vizcaya does not have—such as a kiln—the artist may complete that portion elsewhere.
Is housing provided as part of the residency?
No. Housing and accommodations are not provided.
Will the selected artist have access to Vizcaya’s archives?
Yes. Vizcaya has digitized archival materials available online, including portions of its photographic collections and correspondence.
During the residency, Vizcaya can also work with the selected artist and its archives staff to facilitate access to relevant materials that are available on site.
Access to original archival materials may depend on the item’s location, condition and availability.
Can applicants visit the Main House to sketch or gather references before applying?
Detailed site study is not required for the initial application. Selected artists will have opportunities for deeper access as the project develops.
Applicants who believe they need specific access or reference material before applying may contact Vizcaya to discuss what can be made available.
Ownership & Production
Does Vizcaya keep the commissioned artwork after the exhibition?
No. Vizcaya does not acquire or retain the commissioned artwork as part of its collection.
Ownership remains with the artist. The artwork will be returned to the artist after the exhibition period.
Can I work with outside fabricators or production partners?
Yes. Artists may outsource aspects of fabrication or production when specialized equipment, expertise or facilities are required.
Additional Questions
Who should I contact if my question isn’t answered here?
Email [email protected] with questions about the residency, commission or application process.
