Founded in 2015, our experimental artist residency connects artists with the people, culture, and landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island. Through public art, creative placemaking, and community-engaged projects, the residency creates opportunities for artists to develop new work while contributing to the cultural and creative life of Hilo.
Artists are immersed in place through local foodways, cultural practices, natural resources, and community partnerships. Their work becomes a catalyst for connection—activating public spaces, engaging residents and keiki, and creating meaningful exchanges between our local community and a global ʻohana of artists. The resulting projects are rooted in place, responsive to community, and designed to leave a lasting creative contribution to the neighborhoods where they are created.
Residencies are curated, project-specific, and dependent on funding. We seek to build relationships with artists before extending invitations and prioritize artists whose practices align with the goals and opportunities of each project. Artists interested in future residencies are welcome to contact us with a portfolio and brief introduction.
