Joan Mitchell Foundation Announces 2026 Artists-in-Residence: Nurturing Diverse Creative Practices in New Orleans
The Joan Mitchell Foundation, established to honor the legacy of the renowned Abstract Expressionist painter Joan Mitchell, continues its commitment to supporting visual artists through innovative programs. On January 14, 2026, the foundation unveiled its latest cohort for the Artists-in-Residence program at the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans. This announcement highlights 31 talented artists selected from a competitive pool, representing a blend of local New Orleans talent and national voices. The program, now in its 11th year, underscores the foundation's mission to provide uninterrupted time, resources, and community for artists at critical points in their careers. This article explores the details of the 2026 residencies, the selected artists' diverse backgrounds, the program's history and impact, and how it fosters artistic growth amid New Orleans' vibrant cultural landscape.
The Legacy of Joan Mitchell and the Foundation's Mission
Joan Mitchell, a pivotal figure in the Abstract Expressionism movement, was known for her bold, lyrical paintings that captured emotional landscapes through vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes. Born in Chicago in 1925 and later relocating to France, Mitchell's work often drew from nature and personal experiences, earning her acclaim in the male-dominated art world of the mid-20th century. Following her death in 1992, her estate founded the Joan Mitchell Foundation in 1993 to perpetuate her generosity toward fellow artists. Mitchell herself hosted emerging creators at her Vétheuil home, a practice the foundation emulates through grants, residencies, and educational initiatives.
The foundation's focus on artist support intensified after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when it provided emergency aid to New Orleans' arts community. This led to the establishment of the Joan Mitchell Center in 2015, a two-acre campus in the historic Seventh Ward on Bayou Road. Designed as a sanctuary for creativity, the center offers private studios, living accommodations, and communal spaces amid lush gardens and renovated historic buildings. The residency program, which began as a pilot in 2013 in the French Quarter, has since hosted over 350 artists, with a deliberate emphasis on including local talent—over a third of participants hail from New Orleans.
The center's ethos aligns with Mitchell's belief in fostering artistic exchange. By blending visiting artists from across the U.S. with local residents, the program creates a symbiotic environment: locals introduce newcomers to the city's rich traditions in music, cuisine, and visual arts, while visitors expand networks and perspectives. This cross-pollination is especially poignant in 2026, as four selected national artists are New Orleans natives returning home, aiding the ongoing effort to repatriate talent displaced by Katrina.
Program Details: Structure, Benefits, and Selection Process
The 2026 Artists-in-Residence program accommodates artists in three sessions: Spring (February 2–May 8), Summer (June 22–July 31), and Fall (September 14–December 18). Participants engage in either 6-week or 14-week residencies, with up to nine artists on-site at once to encourage interaction without overcrowding. This flexible structure allows artists to balance commitments while immersing in focused work.
Benefits are comprehensive, reflecting the foundation's artist-centric approach. Residents receive private, well-equipped studios, a weekly materials stipend, on-site assistants for technical support, and professional development opportunities such as studio visits from curators and critics. Community-building activities, including shared meals and public events, enhance the experience. The program is fully funded, covering travel for national artists and eliminating financial barriers.
Eligibility targets visual artists at "pivotal junctures" in their careers, including past Joan Mitchell Fellows and New Orleans-based or native artists. Applications for 2026 opened from April 7 to May 30, 2025, and were reviewed by a diverse jury of artists and arts professionals. The 2026 jurors included Hannah Chalew (New Orleans artist and alum), Rian Crane (Houston curator), Ama Rogan (New Orleans residency director), Dewey Tafoya (Los Angeles printmaker), and Allison K. Young (Baton Rouge art historian). Their selections prioritized dedication to practice, overall body of work, and potential for growth during the residency.
As Christa Blatchford, the foundation's Executive Director, stated, "The 2026 Joan Mitchell Center Artists-in-Residence reflect the rich diversity of creative practices throughout the US and within the vibrant arts scene of New Orleans. We are proud to provide each of these artists with time and space to pursue specific projects or develop new ideas, continuing the generosity that Joan Mitchell showed to other artists."
Veronique LeMelle, Senior Director of the Joan Mitchell Center, added, "With each residency season, we see the transformative impact a residency can have on an artist’s practice—whether through uninterrupted time to focus on their work, connections made through studio visits and public events, exchange with fellow residents, or immersion in the unique culture of New Orleans."
Spotlight on the 2026 Cohort: Diversity in Practice and Perspective
The 31 artists, aged 27 to 75, embody a tapestry of ethnicities, backgrounds, and mediums, from painting and sculpture to installation and archival work. Seventeen are New Orleans-based, reinforcing the program's local roots, while 14 hail from cities like San Francisco, Brooklyn, and Chicago. Highlights include:
- Edra Soto (Chicago, IL): A Puerto Rican-born interdisciplinary artist whose installations explore colonial architecture's impact on identity. Soto plans to reconnect with painting and drawing while collaborating locally, preparing for exhibitions at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.
- Fred H. C. Liang (Boston, MA): Rooted in Chinese Jianzhi paper-cutting, Liang's installations address belonging and American identity amid political tensions. Retiring from teaching, he aims to evolve his work responding to current social climates.
- Kelly Pearson Boles (Big Queen Kelly) and Efrem Z. Boles (Big Chief ZeeBo) (New Orleans, LA): Leaders in the Black Osceolas tribe, they preserve Black Masking Indian traditions through beaded parade suits. Their separate residencies will advance this cultural stewardship.
- Shana M. griffin (New Orleans, LA): An interdisciplinary artist and feminist geographer focusing on Black women's spatial histories and resistance narratives.
- Jessica Monette (East Palo Alto, CA): A Katrina-displaced New Orleans native exploring cultural inheritance through painting and installation, reconnecting with family roots.
- Naomi Kawanishi Reis (Brooklyn, NY): Draws on Japanese aesthetics in collaged paintings, seeking to infuse her work with humor and dimensionality.
Other notable artists include Vee Adams (printmaker, New Orleans), Michael Arcega (sculptor, San Francisco), Rachel Berwick (installation artist, Killingworth, CT), and Trish Tillman (Brooklyn, NY). The full list encompasses a wide array of practices, ensuring a vibrant exchange.
The Broader Impact: Sustaining Artists in Challenging Times
In an era of funding cuts and economic uncertainty, the Joan Mitchell Center stands as a beacon for artistic sustainability. By prioritizing inclusivity and equity, the program addresses systemic barriers, particularly for underrepresented voices. Juror Hannah Chalew noted the jury's inspiration from the strong applicant pool and commitment to reflecting New Orleans' demographics.
The residencies not only boost individual careers—through new works, exhibitions, and networks—but also enrich New Orleans' arts ecosystem. Public programs allow community engagement, bridging local and global art worlds. As the foundation evolves, it remains dedicated to Mitchell's vision: a safe, inclusive space for creative exploration.
FAQ
What is the Joan Mitchell Foundation? The Joan Mitchell Foundation, founded in 1993, supports visual artists through grants, residencies, and programs, honoring painter Joan Mitchell's legacy of generosity.
Where is the Joan Mitchell Center located? The center is in New Orleans' Seventh Ward on Bayou Road, a two-acre campus with studios and living spaces.
How long are the 2026 residencies? Artists participate in 6- or 14-week sessions in Spring (Feb 2–May 8), Summer (June 22–July 31), or Fall (Sep 14–Dec 18).
What benefits do residents receive? Private studios, materials stipends, assistants, professional development, and community events, all fully funded.
How are artists selected? A jury of artists and professionals reviews applications based on work quality, practice dedication, and career timing.
Can anyone apply for future residencies? Eligible are past Joan Mitchell grantees and New Orleans-based or native visual artists; applications open annually.