CALL TO ARTISTS FOR A VIRTUAL RESIDENCY
Making, Taking, Finding, Cutting: Material Explorations at the Intersection of Photography and Collage
A month-long, virtual/online collage artist residency in April & May 2026
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, 19 April 2026
Final Deadline to Apply: Sunday, 26 April 2026
Submit your application HERE
Working from the forthcoming book, Pictures at the Intersection, which was the result of Kolaj Institute’s two-year exploration of the intersection of photography and collage, in this residency, artists will consider the material nature of the photograph, how it is made, how it is used in collage, and how to make a connection between the material and the story of the artwork. Artists will develop strategies for making and collaging photographs that tell complex stories and offer the possibility for deeper impact and engagement with the viewers. The residency will unfold through a series of presentations that are followed by collage making activities, the results of which are presented to the group. Presentations will speak to the history of photography of collage and spotlight examples of contemporary artist practice. We will consider the differences between film and digital photography; what it means to collage with darkroom prints, digital prints, or found photographs; and how an artist can create their own material archive. Through collage making activities, artists will explore self-portraiture, fragment making, locative collage, and photographing collage in the wild. Artists will learn how to develop context for their artwork and reflect on the role of photography in their larger artist practice.
Artists should be prepared to take photographs, print them, and document their collage so that it can be shared with the group. Strategies for doing so will be discussed in the first session.
Artists in the residency will be invited to exhibit artwork in the exhibition, “Light on Cut Paper: Photography & Collage,” at the New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery in June 2026 and to submit artwork for an exhibition at Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans in December 2026.
The residency is led by Ric Kasini Kadour, Director of Kolaj Institute and a 2020-2021 Curatorial Fellow of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and produced in partnership with the New Orleans Photo Alliance.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The residency is intended for artists with a practice of collage and/or photography who want to explore the intersections of the two mediums. Residencies are open to any artist over the age of 21 from anywhere in the world.
COST
The cost of the residency is $600 USD per artist. Kolaj Institute has a limited number of grants available to offset the cost of the residency for those in need. These grants are possible through the generous support of our donors.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application HERE.
RESIDENCY LOGISTICS
Dates: 29 April-20 May 2026
SESSION DATES:
Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 7-9PM EDT
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 7-9PM EDT
Wednesday, 13 May 2026, 7-9PM EDT
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 7-9PM EDT
In between our weekly Zoom meetings, we stay connected using WhatsApp and sharing files on Google Drive. Introductions and Orientation will take place during our first meeting on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 7-9PM EDT.
The remaining sessions will take place on the following Mondays (6, 13, and 20 May).
Artists are expected to attend all scheduled sessions and complete assignments.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The submission process asks applicants for:
• Contact information
• Artist Bio (50-250 words)
• Statement of Artist Practice (50-300 words)
• 5-7 images of artwork
• Statement of expectations
• Asks questions about your work and needs
QUESTIONS
If you have questions, send an email.
ABOUT THE FACULTY AND ORGANIZERS
Ric Kasini Kadour
Ric Kasini Kadour is a writer, artist, publisher, and cultural worker. He maintains an active art practice and his photography, collage, and sculpture have been exhibited in and are part of private collections in North America, Australia, and Europe. He was the recipient of a 2020-2021 Curatorial Fellowship from The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts. He is interested in the role of art in the community and how art can impact communities. He is also interested in the role of art in people’s lives and believes contemporary regionalism is a means for rebuilding society’s relationship with art. His practice includes community organizing, curating, writing, publishing, and art making. He has curated exhibitions in galleries, museums and art venues in the US, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. His most recent curatorial work includes “Artists in the Archives” at The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History (September 2022-January 2023) and “Mythical Landscapes: Secrets of the Vale” at the Knoxville Museum of Art in Tennessee (March-May 2023), as well as six exhibitions in 2024 and five in 2025 at the Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans, of which Kadour is the director, including “Pictures at the Intersection of Photography & Collage” (December 2025-January 2026) and “Camera & Collage” (November 2024-January 2025). Kadour holds a BA in Comparative Religion from the University of Vermont. www.rickasinikadour.com
New Orleans Photo Alliance
The mission of the New Orleans Photo Alliance (NOPA) is to encourage the understanding and appreciation of photography through exhibitions, opportunities, and educational programs. They operate a darkroom, gallery and studio/event space. NOPA produces PhotoNOLA, the Festival of Photography in New Orleans, in partnership with museums, galleries, and venues citywide. Showcasing work by photographers near and far, the festival includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures, a portfolio review, and more. Learn more at www.neworleansphotoalliance.org and www.photonola.org.
Kolaj Institute
The mission of Kolaj Institute is to support artists, curators, and writers who seek to study, document, & disseminate ideas that deepen our understanding of collage as a medium, a genre, a community, and a 21st century movement. We operate a number of initiatives meant to bring together community, investigate critical issues, and raise collage’s standing in the art world. www.kolajinstitute.org