The Pinney Studio is a dedicated public space within Pinney Library focusing on creative exploration, imagination, and artistry. This glass enclosed, highly visible space is located at the entryway of an active neighborhood library that sees over 4,000 visitors each week.   
  
Madison Public Library seeks community-minded teaching artists who are excited to work in a space where library patrons are encouraged to dream and explore.  Proposals working with any mediums, themes, and concepts will be considered. Strong applicants are those with a clear, dynamic vision that can be adapted and scaled to allow for multiple participant entry points in a collaborative community environment.  
  
Successful Pinney Studio Residency Artists will find that the creative interplay with participants informs their residency experience. In the Pinney Studio, collaboration occurs in many formats, from organic ideas bubbling up during drop-in open studios to idea generation in themed workshops that allow you to translate your art into hands-on shared experiences. You can anticipate opportunities within the residency to enhance your current practice and projects while also developing your skills and confidence as a facilitator.

Funding for this Residency provided by American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation.

Residency Goals:

• Activate this highly visible space by engaging adults, seniors, and multigenerational groups in hands-on exploration of a variety of artistic mediums 

• Offer a visible open space and support to a local artist to creatively transform the Pinney Studio, inspiring curiosity at this dynamic entry point of a busy neighborhood destination 

• Uplift and encourage creativity practices of traditionally marginalized communities and artists through hands-on learning opportunities 

• Support the library’s mission: Madison Public Library sparks literacy, fosters curiosity and supports community. We provide equitable access to experiences, ideas and resources necessary to thrive.

Residency Expectations:

• The 2026 residency will begin between April 1 to May 1, 2026 and run for 6 months with the possibility for an extension of 1-3 months

• You will be expected to commit 5-6 hours of time activating the Studio per week, with at least 3-4 hours in an open studio format.  Remaining time can be open studio or doing your own creative work in the space at the artists’ discretion

• Scheduled day and time are flexible within any hours the library is open (M-F 9-9; S 9-5)  

• Passive projects, activities, or prompts for patrons to independently interact with outside of open studio times is encouraged

• A successful residency will include collaboration and synergy with Pinney staff and Bubbler team

Application Process:

Artists can fill out our Artist Form if they are interested in the Pinney Studio Artist-In-Residence program.

Artists who are interested in the 2026 residency should apply by February 28th 2026. Application that come in after February 2026 will be considered for our 2027 Residency.

The 2026 Residency will run from April-September (6 months) with a possible extension.

Residency Selection:

Library staff make selections in relation to library priorities and capacity. Strong candidates for the residency will:  

• Demonstrate experience building creative connections with adult, senior, and/or multi-generational communities  

• Be comfortable working in a highly visible, engaged public space  

• Esteem curiosity, collaboration, and connection with community  

• Provide examples of your vision for uplifting and encouraging traditionally marginalized community members in creative exploration and practices  

• Artists who are local (Wisconsin-based)  

• Artists who reflect our diverse communities here in Madison 

• All artistic mediums will be considered

Compensation:

Pinney Studio Artist-in-Residence is compensated with:

• Monthly stipend of $1000/month  

• Additional budget for art supplies 

• Access to the Pinney Studio for your artistic use during library hours  

• Library staff support, resources, marketing, expertise, and infrastructure

• Additional opportunities such as paid library workshops and events, funded collaboration with guest artists, an art exhibition, and reception

History

The Pinney Studio Residency launched in 2020 to coincide with the opening of the current Pinney Library location. While planning the new library, the City of Madison undertook a robust community engagement process, which ultimately highlighted arts and creativity as one of the significant and important necessities for Madison’s flagship east side library.  

Past resident artists include Maria Amalia Wood (2020-2021), Angela Johnson (2022), bernie & zuzu (2023), Phil Hassett (2024) Ellie Braun(2025).

Take a look through the Bubbler Archive to learn more.

Still have questions?

Please contact Trent Miller, Bubbler Program & Gallery Coordinator via email at: tmiller@madisonpubliclibary.org or via our contact page.

To apply, scroll up to the top of this page and click the ‘Apply now’ button.