Rolling admissions
New York NY
United States
The Institute for Public Architecture announces an open call for limited spots in the upcoming Summer and Fall Independent Project Residency Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 31, 2026.
The Independent Project Residency is one the few architecture-focused residency programs in the United States, and the only overnight arts program on Governors Island. Through a creative live-in residency framework situated in public space, the program invites practitioners across disciplines—whose work focuses on the public realm—to live and work during an eleven-week period at the Block House and encourages Fellows to collaborate across the Island. Since 2021, the program has hosted a diverse cohort of architects, artists, technologists, farmers, and more.
This is a great opportunity for practitioners/faculty who are seeking time and space to develop design-build, public-facing, or applied research proposals. The program is especially well-suited for those on sabbatical or with funded projects.
Duration
Each Independent Project Residency runs for eleven weeks. Summer: June 1–August 17, 2026 / Fall: September 1–November 16, 2026.
Residency fee
The 2026 residency fee consists of two parts; the program fee and the room fee. Summer fixed program fee: 3850 USD. Fall fixed program fee: 3600 USD. The room fee ranges from 2,700–3,000 USD.
How to apply
Applicants should submit the following documentation through the online form. Links to outside websites or files are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process.
Statement of interest: Describe (1) how you would use your time at the Residency, (2) the relevance of the Block House and New York City to your proposed project, and (3) how living/working on Governors Island may benefit your work. (maximum 500 words). Research/design proposal: Summary of the research or design work to be developed during the Residency program. Work can be ongoing or a new endeavor. (maximum 500 words). References: Two references with full name and current email addresses. Recommendation letters are not required. Curriculum vitae (PDF format, maximum five MB). Work samples: Relevant research or work samples and/or portfolio (PDF format, maximum ten MB). ︎Apply here.
Program structure
IPA Fellows are among the first civilian residents to live on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996. Fellows will enjoy unparalleled historic, natural, and urban resources with direct access to downtown Manhattan and waterfront Brooklyn neighborhoods via ferry. The IPA, a long-term tenant on Governors Island together with Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School, Earth Matter, Beam Center and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, is one of more than twenty arts, cultural, educational, and environmental nonprofit organizations operating on the Island, forming a unique community that connects with a diverse and growing audience of nearly one million annual visitors.
The Independent Project Residency offers applicants the opportunity to bring their own interests and projects to New York City, with its vast network of expertise and leadership in the fields of architecture, art, technology, and design. Fellows will present the progress of their work to the public at Open [Block] House events throughout the Residency. Each Fellow will also have the opportunity to engage directly with local community and social practices within the IPA’s and Governors Island network, further building on the IPA’s mission of using design to address social, physical and environmental inequities in New York City.
Programming includes:
Open [Block] House: a series of public events at the Block House that welcome visitors and invited guests to engage in conversation and review project progress with Fellows.
Open Library: The Block House library is open to the public during Open [Block] House Saturdays. Fellows may organize to run specific workshops, or additional programming during the residency. Programming proposals should be discussed with the Residency Director.
IPA TEST KITCHEN: In 2025 the Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) launched the TEST KITCHEN Dinner Series Program at the Block House as part of the Independent Project Residency. TEST KITCHEN, a food-focused event series, creates informal structures for exploring communal food experience, experimental cooking techniques, sustainable farming, and more.
Culminating Activation at the Block House: Fellows participate in a culminating exhibition event that is open to the public.
