Artists-In-Residence Program

Each year, Cherry Street Pier welcomes a new cohort of artists, artist collectives, and nonprofits to be part of our artist-in-residence program, which seeks to foster a unique space for emerging and established artists to collaborate, create, and show off their work.

Located in an ample public space, the studios allow Cherry Street Pier visitors to glimpse inside the world of art-making.

The Pier seeks artists who reflect Philadelphia’s diverse and traditionally under-represented populations, offer a broad range of artistic disciplines, are poised to benefit creatively and professionally from this creative community, and are eager to participate in a collaborative, community-focused initiative. Once received, internal and external committees review the applications. Selected artists are invited to an interview with the selection committee. New artists are slated to be chosen in November, with move-in scheduled for February of each year.

The Pier offers eight (8) ground-floor studios and six (6) mezzanine-level studios for below-market rates. Resident artists have preferential access to the exhibition and performance spaces, an opportunity to interact with hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the year, year-round activities and events in the space, and a collaborative relationship with the programming, marketing, and operations teams at the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC).

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Studio Amenities

• The eight (8) studios on the ground floor are 443 square feet and are $500 per month/per studio.
• The six (6) studios on the mezzanine level are 289 square feet each and cost $400 per month per studio.
• Rent includes all utilities and high-speed Internet.
• Studio tenants can purchase a Cherry Street Pier Artists Group Insurance Policy for a nominal yearly fee or provide a certificate of insurance.
• Licensing a studio entails additional rights to approximately 2,000 square feet of collaborative workspace within the Pier and preferential access to market and exhibition spaces.
• All studios are fully conditioned with heat, air conditioning, and 100 AMP, single-phase service.
• Studios do not have plumbing, but there is shared access to a sink in the collaborative workspace and public restrooms on the Pier.
• Studios are unfurnished.
• Studios are accessible to artists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

DRWC manages the studios. Once selected, artists must sign a license agreement with DRWC to secure their space on the Pier. The standard term for the agreement will be one year, but DRWC is open to shorter-term licenses for those interested.

Application Information

• The 2025 Artist-In-Residence application deadline is September 22.
• After applications are received, internal and external committees will review them.
• Applicants moving on to the final round will have an in-person/web-based interview with the selection committee.
• Artists will be selected and notified in December.
• Artists move in February
• Artist Studio Regulations
• Sign up for our Cherry Street Pier newsletter.

For inquiries, please get in touch with our team at cherrystreetpier@drwc.org.