ABOUT JOSEPHINE SCULPTURE PARK (JSP)

JSP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by sculptor, Melanie VanHouten, in 2009 with the belief that the arts are for everyone! The mission is to connect people to each other and the land through the arts. JSP provides creative arts and nature experiences to the community and transformative opportunities to artists while conserving the beauty of Kentucky’s rural landscape. 

JSP is located on 40 acres of reclaimed farmland in Franklin County (Frankfort), Kentucky. The Park is free and open daily dawn to dusk and hosts a rotating exhibition of over 70 contemporary artworks, primarily large-scale sculpture and murals. Two miles of mowed paths meander through meadows, fields, and woodlands, leading to the artworks. Located 50 mi. from Louisville and 30 mi. from Lexington, the JSP community includes a wide audience from Central KY and visitors from all over the U.S. 

JSP’s rotating exhibit includes work from Chakaia Booker, Boaz Vaadia, Harry Gordon, and Heather Hart, among others. JSP has exhibited art from over 1,000 artists from all over the world and provided residency opportunities to nearly 40, including Andréa Stanislav, Peyton Scott Russell, Kiah Celeste, and Daniel Shieh. JSP supports and encourages artists with a variety of lived experiences and perspectives to create new art. Artists range from emerging artists to Guggenheim Fellows, TED speakers and Creative Capital grant winners with exhibits at MOMA PS1, Storm King, Whitney Museum and National Museum of Women in the Arts. 

JSP also curates approximately 30 artworks through the Art in Public Places Program, bringing the benefits of public art to where people live, work and play. The Arts Downtown exhibition is located throughout downtown Frankfort, KY (https://visitfrankfort.com/art/), and satellite exhibitions are located at Expree Credit Union and West Sixth Farm.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE (AiR) PROGRAM OVERVIEW

JSP’s Artist-in-Residence program provides artists the career-boosting opportunity to make new work on a large-scale, with the physical space and technical and financial support to succeed. 

Up to 2 artists will be selected for the 2025-2026 residency program through this competitive national call reviewed by JSP’s Curatorial Committee.  Artists will be primarily visual artists working in sculpture as well as the mediums of sound and performance as responsive experiences to sculpture and the natural environment.

Residency details will be tailored to each artist’s proposed artwork and are designed around 3 main components: 1) artwork creation, installation and exhibition; 2) informal public interaction with JSP visitors; and 3) participation in at least one community engagement event determined by the artist and JSP staff (i.e. community workshop, artist talk, etc.).

In 2025, the selected artist(s) will visit Frankfort and work with JSP staff to collaboratively plan their 2026 residency. This 1- to 3-day site visit will include meeting with staff, discussing their proposed artwork, determining site location, and solidifying community engagement plans. It will be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon date July-October 2025.

In 2026, the selected artist(s) will be in residence at JSP for up to 10 weeks, the duration depending on the scale and scope of the proposed artwork. The program is designed to be intentionally flexible to allow artists to submit large-scale proposals that may take the full 10 weeks to create. In the RFP submission materials, artists should suggest an appropriate residency duration (number of weeks) and date range for their proposed artwork.

Artists-in-Residence create artwork at JSP, a raw outdoor environment, offering a quiet space for artists to fully immerse themselves in nature, diving deep into their process and research, which is essential for true innovation and excellence. Residencies typically do not overlap, allowing artists to focus on personal and professional growth, creative practice, and risk-taking without distraction. Artists are encouraged to challenge themselves and push beyond their comfort zones, supported by experienced artistic staff and specialized equipment to create large-scale works on-site. Artists receive technical support from staff, hands-on assistance from community volunteers, material support, and access to a robustly equipped studio and outdoor work pad. The artwork is intended to be on exhibition for 2 years at JSP.

“This residency [was] an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and expand the work beyond the limits of what I thought was possible, and I felt so incredibly supported and encouraged at every step of this project while working at JSP,” reflected 2021 Artist-in-Residence Clare Koury, “It’s hard to overstate the impact of that kind of support as a young artist, and I feel really grateful for my time here and the trust put in me to execute this vision.”

This program provides direct benefits to each artist as well as intrinsic value to the community at-large. A supportive environment inspires artists to create new work and advance their careers by fostering courageous artistic growth and providing opportunities to experiment and try things they’ve never tried before with professional technical and artistic guidance. The exhibition of new artwork provides an immediate audience to the artist and artistic inspiration to the public.

JSP believes in the power of artist residencies to positively transform artists’ careers and build community. This program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects. JSP programs are subject to modifications as a result of funding changes. 

ABOUT FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY 

Geography

Franklin County is located in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, known for its fertile soils, gently rolling hills and relatively flat land with thick limestone bedrock. JSP is underlain with limestone bedrock and occasional springs typical of karst terrain in this region. If the artwork involves significant digging, artist should account for that time and effort in their proposal. Selected artists will work with JSP for site-specific recommendations. 

Outside of developed land, you will see farm fields, meadows, deciduous forests, creeks, and the Kentucky River. Downtown Frankfort sits in the Kentucky River valley on an S-bend in the river. You can easily immerse in nature and observe flora and fauna at one of Frankfort’s public parks, including JSP. Or relax by the Kentucky River while enjoying a restaurant downtown. It’s a beautiful place!

Climate

Kentucky’s diverse climate with four seasons poses unique opportunities and challenges for artists and visitors engaging with artwork outdoors. Spring exhibits mild-warm temperatures (50-70°F) and rainfall, including thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. Summer is hot and humid (80-90°F), and can occasionally reach heat indexes unsafe for outdoor work (above 104°F). Fall exhibits fluctuating and cooler temperatures (30-70 degrees Fahrenheit) and rainfall. Winters are cold (below 0-40°F) and can exhibit snow, freezing rain and ice storms. Artwork should be designed to be as resilient as possible to Kentucky’s climate, including seasonal temperature fluctuations, humidity/moisture, heavy rain, strong wind, ice and snow, and UV exposure. Selected artists will work with JSP for site-specific recommendations. 

Frankfort/Franklin County

Frankfort/Franklin County is considered rural with a population of about 50,000 people, the fourth smallest state capital in the U.S. Frankfort/Franklin County is known for state government, civic engagement, the bourbon industry, Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River recreation (canoeing, kayaking, SUPing), mountain biking, hiking, and public art. JSP is a leader and key provider in quality, accessible arts and culture programming, as well as access to nature. Learn more about Frankfort/Franklin County at franklincounty.ky.gov/, visitfrankfort.com/ and frankfort.ky.gov. 

LODGING, TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION

Artists are responsible for securing their lodging, although JSP will provide a lodging stipend of $500/week for up to 10 weeks. There are a variety of hotels, AirBnBs, and short-term rental accommodations in and around Frankfort, KY. 

Artist is responsible for all travel and transportation needs during the residency. For the most ease and flexibility, JSP recommends renting or bringing a personal vehicle. There is no public transportation to the park, and taxi services are limited. For a comprehensive list of transportation resources in Frankfort, visit https://visitfrankfort.com/transportation/. For Artists who fly, KY airports in order of closest to farthest are LEX, SDF, and CVG.

JSP is just a few minutes’ drive from groceries, hardware stores, gas stations, pharmacies and restaurants, and about a 10-minute drive to downtown Frankfort. JSP is also about a 45-minute drive to two of KY’s largest cities, Lexington and Louisville, and about a 1.5-hour drive from Cincinnati, OH, all with airports. 

JSP’s truck may be available to Artists aged 25+ who have provided a copy of valid driver’s licence, strictly for local material pick up. Truck use must be scheduled in advance and is not guaranteed. 

STUDIO, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES SAFETY

Studio 

The JSP studio, the “Art Barn,” is a 2,000 sq. ft. studio with wood working, metal fabrication, ceramic kiln, and kitchenette (sink, microwave and refrigerator) plus a 2,000 sq. ft. outdoor work pad with gantry. Studio is available to artists-in-residence, interns, volunteers, and staff conducting work for JSP every day from dawn to 10pm. Artists must agree to follow all studio rules and safety guidelines.

Equipment & Facilities 

Please see PDF located in "site plan" that describes equipment and materials available for use by Artists-in-Residence.  Artist must plan to bring or acquire any additional needed materials, supplies, tools and equipment while in residence. 

JSP will provide Artist access to a small, lockable trailer near the studio that can serve as storage and office space. Wifi is available in and around the studio and park office. Cellular phone service is available throughout the park. JSP can accommodate basic printing requests.  

Public restrooms are available on site.

GUESTS AND PETS 

Guests of Artist are welcome to explore the park during public hours (dawn to dusk) and participate to the fullest extent in park programming for free, as long as they do not disrupt the successful completion of Artist’s residency. Artist should notify JSP if a guest plans to attend a program. Guests who are minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The Art Barn is a private studio for the safety of all. Guests are not permitted in the studio, nor are they permitted to work or receive training in the studio. 

If Artist brings a pet to Frankfort, the pet is welcome at JSP only during Artist’s personal time as a park visitor and Artist must leash and clean up after the pet. Pets are not permitted in the studio, nor while Artist is conducting residency activities.

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

There is no specific theme, however, artwork should be physically and thematically suitable for exhibition at Josephine Sculpture Park. Artists will be primarily visual artists working in sculpture as well as the mediums of sound and performance as responsive experiences to sculpture and the natural environment. JSP encourages the artist to be innovative, take risks, and try something here that they could not create elsewhere.

• Art must be suitable for a hands-on outdoor exhibition in a public space.
• Art should be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions including high winds, high temperatures, heavy rain, storms, etc.
• Works of art shall not create inordinate safety problems or liability problems for the general public or Josephine Sculpture Park.
• Art must be an original creation by the artist.

ARTIST BENEFITS & BUDGET

2025

• Site Visit stipend: $1,000 (paid upon arrival, pending signed Residency Agreement and cleared background check, if applicable)

2026

• Residency stipend: $2,000/week for up to 10 weeks
• Materials stipend (plus access to some materials on-site): up to $2,500
• Lodging stipend: $500/week for up to 10 weeks
• 20% paid 1 month prior to residency start date, 30% paid upon arrival, and 50% paid upon successful completion of residency

Staff Support

• Up to 10 hours/week studio assistance and training from JSP Park Manager on a mutually agreed upon schedule
• At least one 60-minute mentorship session or meeting with JSP Executive Director & Chief Curator
• Pre-residency planning, weekly check-in while in residence, and post-residency communication support from JSP Director of Programs & Partnerships.

PROJECT TIMELINE

• 1- to 3-day pre-residency planning visit to JSP and Frankfort community (ideally between July-October 2025)
• Up to 10 weeks in residence, depending on the scope and scale of the proposed artwork (ideally between May-Sept 2026)
• Artwork is intended to be on exhibition for 2 years at JSP. Artist will sign an exhibition contract as part of the Residency Agreement that outlines mutually agreed upon duration, maintenance and decommissioning of the artwork.
• The Curatorial Committee and JSP staff will review proposals May - June.  We expect to make final decisions and notify all applicants by July 1.

SELECTION PROCESS

Submissions are scored by the Curatorial Committee composed of individuals with broad and diverse backgrounds that serve residency goals, including 1-2 JSP board members, 3 JSP staff, and 2-5 artists or curators, including at least 1 AiR alumnus, 1 regional artist/curator and 1 out-of-region artist/curator.

The Curatorial Committee scores submissions following a rubric. Submissions with the highest scores may be invited to interview with JSP staff committee members. JSP staff make the final selection based on the committee’s recommendation.

Submissions will be scored by a Curatorial Committee based on the following: 

• Body of work: Does the applicant exhibit a high level of skill in their medium(s)?
• Artistic growth: Does the applicant present a compelling proposal for how this residency would expand their artistic practice? JSP encourages AiRs to be innovative, take risks, and try something here that they could not create elsewhere.
• Appropriateness of artwork: Is the proposed artwork physically and thematically suitable for exhibition at Josephine Sculpture Park?
• Feasibility: Does the proposed timeline and budget reflect the scale and scope of the proposed artwork?
• Clear interest in being part of the JSP AiR program: Does the applicant appear to have researched Josephine Sculpture Park and the Frankfort community?

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES 

Submissions may only be submitted electronically through the CaFÉ website (callforentry.org). Artists may only submit 1 application with one Residency Proposal. 

All materials must be received by 11:59:00 p.m. Mountain Time Zone (Denver, CO, USA) on May 14, 2025. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Application Requirements

1.Current CV or resume: Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member. Five pages per CV/resume max. 

2.Complete Residency Proposal. 8 page max. This must include the following elements. Please review your proposal carefully prior to submission to ensure you are including all required details.

• Letter of interest addressed to the JSP Curatorial Committee with a brief description of your interest in the JSP residency program.
• Artist Statement.
• Project proposal containing a written description of the proposed project (artwork and community engagement idea), its proposed impact on your artistic practice and on JSP visitors, and a timeline, including the preferred date ranges for your site visit (2025) and residency (up to 10 weeks in 2026).
• Image(s) of proposed artwork. Acceptable formats include sketches, image of maquette, computer generated drawing, or other comparable media. If the sculpture will have sound or light components and/or is kinetic, artist can include a link to 1 short video (no more than 3 min.).
• Project budget detailing how the residency stipend will be used and any additional funding, if applicable. Include artist fee, additional labor, materials, food, travel costs, etc.

3.Work Samples. Min of 4, max of 8. Up to 8 images of previously completed work. We encourage you to thoughtfully select work samples that demonstrate your skill and ability to complete a project as proposed. Please review and follow the printable image preparation guide on the CaFÉ website and provide work sample details as outlined in CaFÉ upload process including: title, media, dimensions, date, etc.

4.Three (3) professional references. Please include name, title, address, affiliation, phone number, email address, and relationship to you.

5.Optional. Artists may include up to three (3) selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, and other related information. 

Eligibility Criteria

Proposals must be for new work that you will create during the residency. Artists working in a variety of materials are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to stone, metal, wood, concrete, found objects, natural materials, plastics, fiberglass, light, sound, etc. Artists must be able to adhere to the project timeline. 

Individual artists or artist teams can apply. You should know that the set stipend would need to be shared amongst your team.

Artists must be at least 18 years old.

Artists must be authorized to work legally in the United States.

If Artist activities include working with persons under the age of 18, residency is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.