Overview

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, in collaboration with New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, as well as UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts, is pleased to announce the open application period for the 2026 Artist-in-Residence program. This initiative, now entering its ninth year, aims to foster creative exploration and community engagement through the arts.

This residency challenges artists to view New Bedford as a source of inspiration, exploring themes such as history, heritage, ecology, identity, and historic preservation. Click here to view more information about past artists.

We are seeking artists who wish to engage deeply with the city’s collective stories—its community, visitors, staff, and volunteers. The program embraces the belief that art should be accessible to all, and positions the artist as a catalyst for inspiration and broad participation. Many past participants have been active in socially engaged practice, creating work that sparks dialogue and fosters connection.

This is a highly public-facing residency. Artists must be prepared to interact meaningfully with visitors in ways that go beyond a traditional studio residency. Programs may include workshops, talks, demonstrations, or other free, public experiences. In addition, Artists in Residence are encouraged to collaborate with local artists and connect with other residency programs in the region.

Project Description

This call is for Artist Residencies that will take place in 2026. We will select up to three artists to complete residencies during the following times in 2026: April-June; July-September; October-December. 

This program is distinguished by the opportunities we offer participants: a $2,500 stipend, both studio and exhibition space, promotional support and some supplies.

Applications are competitive, and only one resident will be selected per session. Artists should clearly outline in their proposals:

•  The scope of their previous work 
•  How the residency will advance their artistic practice
•  How New Bedford will serve as a source of inspiration
•  A plan for meaningful public engagement

Strongest consideration will be given to artists who embrace all components of the program. Graduate-level and professional artists living in New Bedford are especially encouraged to apply.

Please note: Housing is not provided. Artists must secure their own accommodations for the three-month term. Teams of artists may apply, but the $2,500 stipend is shared among collaborators. All artists—emerging, mid-career, and established—are welcome to apply. Artists who are self-starters and able to work independently are encouraged to apply. Access to the provided studio space is limited to the open hours of the park. 

Requirements: to apply, artists will provide the following: 

• 500-word letter of interest
• 300-word artist statement
• Biography 
• One page resume
• Five to ten artwork submissions
• Contact information for three references
• Optional: two-minute video

Guidelines: Applicants must provide a clear description of how they will draw inspiration from New Bedford and how they plan to engage the public through their project or artwork. Proposals that do not address both of these elements in the letter of interest may be deemed ineligible for consideration. 

Selection Process and Criteria

Selections will be made in January 2026; all artists will be contacted via Submittable.com no later than February 1, 2026. The applications will be rated and evaluated by a panel that includes former Artists-in-Residence and local art professionals. Highest consideration will be given to proposals from New England-based artists, those that contain clearly articulated public engagement, and those that respond directly to this call.

Proposals will be judged on the following:

• Uniqueness - Based on initial concepts, is there evidence that the proposed work is likely to be unique to the residency?
• Appropriate Residency - Can the artist work within the limitations of the site, building, and program?
• Artistic Merit - Does the proposal demonstrate artistic excellence, quality, and technical ability?
• Public Engagement - How does the artist plan to engage our visitors and our community at large?

For examples of artists' work from previous years visit: https://www.nps.gov/nebe/getinvolved/air-archives.htm.

Deadline: Proposals are due Monday, December 1, 2025 by 11:59PM EST.

History
  National Parks have a legacy of inspiring artists, long before they became a part of the national park system. Since October 2017, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park has continued in the tradition of working with artists to create and share new perspectives on the park’s stories. Throughout the years, they have posed this challenge to artists: look at New Bedford as a source of inspiration for your work. This residency is designed for artists that wish to engage with the National Historical Park's visitors, staff, and volunteers. Selected artists have had access to a 300-square-foot studio, and an array of equipment. Since 2024, New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, have worked in collaboration with the National Historical Park to support the Artist-in-Residence Program. 

Overview
    The Seaport Art Walk is an annual outdoor public art exhibition that takes place along the waterfront and in the Seaport Cultural District in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This year, artists are invited to submit a proposal for a new or existing outdoor temporary sculpture or mural, or digital photography of other genres of work, inspired by the theme “Good Trouble.” This is a juried show, with reviewers from the partnerships listed below.

New Artwork: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $2,500 in funding per artwork)
     Artists may submit up to three (3) proposals and need to include the following materials:

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and anticipated dimensions of the artwork.
• Schematic design: address how your artwork will sustain the high winds and high traffic area along the waterfront (for those submitting mural proposals, refer to the approved locations below).
• Schedule of maintenance: address how your artwork will be maintained in pristine condition for a minimum of four months in a high wind, high traffic area.
• Budget: include cost of estimated fabrication, construction, and installation/de-installation, as well as total cost of value and/or sale price.
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).
• Past work: upload at least three (3) images (best to include past public art).

Existing Artwork: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $1,000 in funding per artwork)
     Artists may submit up to three (3) proposals and need to include the following materials:

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and dimensions of the artwork.
• Photos of proposed work: upload up to three (3) images (best to include different angles if possible).
• Schedule of maintenance: address how your artwork will be maintained in pristine condition for a minimum of four months in a high wind, high traffic area.
• Budget: include cost of installation/de-installation, as well as total cost of value and/or sale price.
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).

Digital Gallery Exhibition: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $250 in funding)
     We encourage artists working in all mediums to apply. Submit up to three (3) digital images of your artwork—painting, sculpture, textiles, installation, performance documentation, photography, or any other form of creative expression.

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, New Bedford address, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and medium of the original form of artwork. 
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).
• Photographs: upload a minimum of three and up to six photos with a minimum resolution of 3300 x 5100 at 72ppi.

Deadline: Proposals are due Monday, February 23, 2026 by 11:59PM EST.

Timeline

• Deadline for proposals: February 23, 2026
• Artist notifications sent: March 20, 2026
• Installation dates: June 29–July 8, 2026, coordinated with Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, curator
• Exhibition dates: official opening is Thursday, July 9, through October 31, 2026. If accepted, please save 5-8pm on 7/9/26 to participate in a walking tour on AHA! Night.
• Take-down dates (responsibility of artists): October 26–31, 2026, to be coordinated with Zane Cox, project manager.

Total Project Award

• Artist stipend for new outdoor artwork is up to $2,500 per artwork. Artist stipend for existing outdoor work is up to $1,000 per artwork. Artist stipend for featured digital photography is up to $250. Insurance is not provided.
• Invitation to present your art on the official opening night on AHA!, the evening of Thursday, July 9, 2026.
• All winning projects will be featured in print and online media, and a profile piece featured on social media platforms, including New Bedford Creative.

Visit newbedfordcreative.org/seaport-art-walk for examples of work from previous years and locations where artwork is usually installed. Offensive, negative, or discriminatory content is not permitted. All designs and text must align with civic property guidelines for public display. For any additional questions pertaining to content guidelines, please contact Zane Cox, Project Manager at zcox@nbedc.org.

2026 Theme: “Good Trouble”

Protest and poetry, disruption and healing, resistance and creation
     In 2026, we’re inviting artists to get into a bit of “Good Trouble.” This Call for Art challenges corruption and injustice, seeking bold works that dare to imagine a more equitable world. This exhibition – marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – honors those who speak truth to power and invites artists to create in that legacy, exploring themes of civil disobedience, community organizing, cultural resistance, and more.

New Bedford has long been a city of resistance. During the American Revolution, British naval intelligence described it as “a harbour much used by the rebel privateers,” whose vessels “greatly annoyed His Majesty’s trade.” This history reminds us that the spirit of challenging authority and defending our community runs deep in our city.

This year’s featured works will be rooted in activism and social progress; they might confront unjust systems of power, honor the local freedom fighters that came before us, or tell stories from the front lines of marches and movements. Above all, they will serve as expressions of solidarity and hope, standing as beacons of light in times of darkness. 

“Good Trouble” is our Call for Art this year – but it’s also a call to action. 

"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” 

—Representative John Lewis, 2020

History
    Founded in 2013 by artist and curator Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, the Seaport Art Walk is the city’s first large format outdoor temporary public art installation. Each summer, sculptures and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District. 

Seaport Art Walk is facilitated by New Bedford Creative, housed at the New Bedford  Economic Development Council, and a collaboration with the New Bedford Creative  Consortium, the City of New Bedford’s Parks, Recreation and Beaches and Tourism and Marketing Departments, Massachusetts Design, Art, and Technology Institute (DATMA), New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), and Bristol Community College (BCC) Visual and Performing Arts Department. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local  agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Bristol County Savings Bank and Barr Foundation.