Apply for the UETF Resiliency Residency

Urban Enhancement Trust Fund: Resiliency Residency Program

Artist Application

Open to artists of all disciplines living and working in the Greater Albuquerque Area (including Torrance, Sandoval, Valencia, and Bernalillo Counties)

 

Award amount is $5,000 for up to 16 artists

The Residency period is January 2026 – June 2027

Apply for the 2026 UETF Resiliency Residency

Application Deadline: October 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Open Office Hours:

Join the UETF Resiliency Residency Open Office Hours to ask questions about the application.

Friday, September 19th 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, September 25th 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Wednesday, October 1st 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Thursday, October 9th 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 

About the 2026 UETF Resiliency Residency Program

The UETF Resiliency Residency Program is a self-paced residency for artists of all mediums and disciplines to play, experiment, research, develop, and create. Developed as a response to COVID-19’s impact on the Albuquerque Arts Community, the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund staff and committee created a program that was as fluid and adaptable as the times it was developed in. Since the Residency’s inception, there have been two cycles, putting $395,000 in the hands of 124 Albuquerque based artists.

The residency is not site-based, except that it is for artists in the greater Albuquerque area doing work in Albuquerque. Proposed Resiliency Residency projects do not have to be fully realized by the end of the funding term. Therefore, residency projects may include works in progress, open rehearsals, feedback sessions, community activities, or research reports. The result of the residency term, however, should be available to the public in some format for a reasonable duration of time – either virtually online, through a performance, or other local event or exhibit.

First-time applicants and emerging artists are highly encouraged to apply, as well as artists whose work is collaborative or community based. Graduate students are welcome to apply, however funding for thesis projects will not be considered. Preference will be given to projects that are currently un-supported.

Artists based in the Greater Albuquerque Area - including Torrance, Sandoval, Valencia, and Bernalillo Counties - working in any medium or discipline are invited to apply. This includes artists working in theatre, film, dance and choreography, music, digital media, textile, photography, audio, circus, ceramics, painting, drawing, and more. Artists who received one of the past two grant cycles are invited to apply, but artists who received both a 2022 and 2024 Residency will not be considered. Learn more about past UETF Resiliency projects.

Due to UETF legal requirements, funds must flow through a local Albuquerque nonprofit arts or cultural organization. The 2026 Residency cycle will fund sixteen (16) artists at $5,000 each with FUSION and Working Classroom acting as Fiscal Sponsor Organizations, who will serve as mentors and support systems for each artist.

These two organizations are committed to fostering arts at every level, encouraging trans and multidisciplinary arts, and providing resources and opportunities to those who receive a UETF Residency. Learn more about the 2026 UETF Resiliency Residency Fiscal Sponsor Organizations.

Artists will have the choice to work with either organization, and will also be in conversation with the UETF and Public Art staff to help navigate resources and public presentations of work.

For assistance with the online application or help with technical issues, please email [email protected].

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Application Information and Questions

Please note that there is not a save and return function for the application form. Below are the application questions for reference.

Name

Pronouns

Address

Phone Number

Email

Artist Information

Please tell us which creative medium(s) you are wanting to work in during this Residency. 
Select all that apply: Arts Educator, Creative Writing, Dance, Film/Video, Installation, History, Music, Performance Art, Photography, Theatre, Visual Art, Other (fill in blank)

Did you receive a 2022 or 2024 Resiliency Residency?
Yes or No, if yes you will be asked to fill in which year

Please note that returning artists who received one of the past two grant cycle awards, will automatically route to questions about their previous Resiliency Residency Project. These questions are below.

Risk Information

Do you anticipate your residency project including any high-risk techniques or processes? For example, working with minors around power tools or other equipment; using fire in an open public space; having things - including people - suspended from high places. 

• No, my residency will not include any high-risk components
• Yes, I will be working with minors
• Yes, I may have some exciting technique that I should think through. Please describe.

Past Work Narrative

Please describe the top two or three performances, artworks, or creative projects you were most excited about over the past three years and why.
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 300 words

Residency Work Description

Please describe, to the best of your ability, what your residency work would look like. For example: will it build on something you've been doing? Will it be a brand-new idea/technique/medium/partnership/location? Is it just a concept and you have no idea where it will take you?
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 300 words

Has this work bee presented in the past?
If yes, please describe, and detail any funding it received. Paragraph answer, not to exceed 150 words

Commitment to Process

Please describe your ideal process, your expected budget, and anticipated timeline between January 2026 and June 2027. For example: who are you collaborating with and how is the community engaged through the project? How do you see money being spent and when would you want to work on the project? Is it a focused time or ongoing research? 
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 250 words

Public Presentation

Please describe how you foresee your project being presented and specify specific aspects you see needing help in.
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 200 words

Fiscal Sponsor Relationship

How would you like to work with your fiscal sponsor? 

• I would like to work collaboratively with my fiscal sponsor
• I'm just looking for funds and moral support

Please describe your ideal collaboration with the fiscal sponsor.
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 150 words

City Demographics and Value Statement

As part of our efforts to make Albuquerque more safe, inclusive, and innovative, the City is asking basic demographic questions of people we engage through surveys, public meetings and other forums. Please help us get a better picture of the inclusiveness of the City’s community engagement efforts by answering the following questions.

The following questions are for internal planning purposes only and all personal answers are confidential. We will not release or share any information that can be tied to an individual community member. We may, however, share aggregated demographic information. For example; "66% of applicants were women". None of the information you provide will be used to disqualify you from participating in any capacity.

 What is your gender?

• Female
• Male
• Non-Binary
• Prefer not to answer

What is the primary race/ethnicity with which you identify?

• Asian
• Black/African American
• Hispanic
• Native American
• White
• Two or more races
• Prefer not to answer
• Other (please specify)

What is your age range?

• 18-19
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60 and over
• Prefer not to answer

What is your zip code?

Do you have a disability?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer

Are you a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer

Do you own your home or rent?

• Own
• Rent
• Prefer not to answer

If your primary income source is not from being an artist, what other sector(s) do you work in?

What is the primary language spoken in your home?

• English
• Spanish
• Prefer not to answer
• Other (please specify)

What is the highest level of education you have received?

• Less than high school
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Associate's degree or some college
• Bachelor's degree
• Post Graduate degree
• Prefer not to answer

Which of the following ranges best describes your household income?

• Less than $20,000
• $20,000 to $34,999
• $35,000 to $49,999
• $50,000 to $74,999
• $75,000 to $99,999
• Over $100,000
• Prefer not to answer

Value Statement

The Urban Enhancement Trust Fund (UETF) strives to contribute to making Albuquerque a national role model among cities working toward equity and inclusion. We envision a city of people whose success, safety and health are not pre-determined by their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, socioeconomics, immigration status, disability and personal background. A city where all communities, artists, performers, writers and cultural workers have the power, support and monetary investment they need to share their own stories, practice their culture and create art on their own terms.

Discrimination Prohibited.  Any entity receiving funding through the Resiliency Residency Program shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, physical handicap or disability.

By submitting this application, I agree that I have answered all of the questions to the best of my ability. (and to the value statement above)

How did you hear about this opportunity?

• Newsletter
• Newspaper Ad
• Instagram, Facebook, and/or Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• City employee or affiliate

Questions for Returning Residency Artists

Based on the response to the Artist Information, returning Resiliency Residency artists will automatically route to these questions.

Please describe your previous Resiliency Residency Project.
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 200 words

Did your project reach a satisfactory conclusion? Why or why not?
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 200 words

Please describe to the best of your ability, what your new residency work would look like and how you foresee your project being presented. For example: will it build on something you've been doing? Will it be a brand-new idea, technique, medium, partnership, or location? Is it just a concept and you have no idea where it will take you?
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 350 words

Commitment to Process

Please describe your ideal process, your expected budget, and anticipated timeline between January 2026 and June 2027. For example: who are you collaborating with and how is the community engaged through the project? How do you see money being spent and when would you want to work on the project? Is it a focused time or ongoing research?
Paragraph answer, not to exceed 350 words