Open AIR is a place-based Artist-in-Residence program that places artists at unique sites in Montana. In 2023, we need help housing our artists-in-residence in the Missoula area for 4-5 weeks.

Artists will have studio space at several unique sites, including Garden City Harvest, Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium, Moon-Randolph Homestead, Home ReSource, the Missoula Public Library, the Montana Natural History Center, or Travelers’ Rest State Park, but need a place to stay during their residency.

The artists who apply for Open AIR may work in any artistic discipline and come from Montana or beyond! We hope to welcome them to the community with your help!

Spring Session - April 10 - May 7

Summer I Session** - May 22 - June 24

Fall Session - September 26 - October 22

*Additional dates may also be available

** We need the most help during the summer session!

LIVING QUARTERS
Artists will need a private bedroom during their stay and access to a restroom and kitchen (with space to put food).

LOCATION
The residence should be within 30 miles of the Missoula Valley. Some artists will need access to public transportation or be within biking distance to their residency.

HOUSE RULES
Clarity about your house rules from the beginning can help make the hosting experience a smooth and happy one! In your application, you have the opportunity to indicate house rules in the application.

SOCIAL SUPPORT
Hosts should feel willing to be friendly and helpful to their hosted artists. While we will work to pair temperments (introverts vs. extroverts), each host should be ready to offer basic suggestions to their artists and make them feel welcome in your home.

1. Fill out our brief inquiry form

2. We’ll be in touch to schedule a time for Open AIR to visit your accommodations

3. We will share with you our suggested paired artist(s) and confirm if they look like a good fit.

4. Once confirmed on both sides, we will put you in touch with one another!

While we are grateful if hosts have the ability and generosity to provide space for artists as an in-kind donation, we do have a modest budget for hosts seeking remuneration.

You can host 1 artist, a couple, or our entire group depending on your availability (up to 4 or 5 during the summer).

At times we may have an artist with children or a partner apply. When you fill out the inquiry form, you will have the opportunity to indicate if your house is suitable for children.

Artists are provided with studio space in the community. You are not required to offer additional studio space for artists.

Artists are responsible for their own food during their residencies. Hosts may independently choose to offer meals. For example, you may consider offering a joint meal together once a day or a few times a week to provide a natural opportunity to connect and learn more about one another. However, this is not required of hosts.

Artist-hosts have to option to offer their home for a social gathering for the Open AIR artists, but this is NOT required. Hosts are invited to set house rules around social gatherings and artists are expected to respect and follow house rules.

No. Hosts are not required to be present while artists are staying with you.

Do you have a home available while you are away for the summer? That may be a perfect fit! Please reach out to us to discuss.

Artists are expected to leave their quarters how they found them.

Open AIR staff and volunteers are happy to help clean and prepare your home to house the artist(s).

To the best of our ability, we work to match artists with hosts (that is if you are hosting fewer than the entire group).

We will get to know you, your arrangements and preferences (extrovert vs. introvert, night owl vs. morning bird) plus other interests and background and do our best to fit artists and artist hosts to the best of our ability.

You will have the opportunity to become familiar with your artist(s) profiles before committing to housing them.