Our Artist Residency
Our competitive international residency program, one of the first of its kind in Colorado, provides artists with the time, space, and support to create new work, explore new mediums, and share their creations with the community. Each Resident Artist's practice and the work produced during their residency addresses social justice issues, welcoming any creative discipline. During their residency, artists have full access to PlatteForum’s studio space and are required to lead workshops with ArtLab interns and other youth-serving groups, culminating in exhibitions and/or performances in collaboration with the youth.
Our 2025-2026 Artist Residency Application is now closed.
Meet our Current Resident Artist, Catie Michel
Artist & Science Illustrator | Resident until August 1st
Having worked as a researcher and educator for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, Estación del Mar Cortés, and the Golden Gate Audubon, Catie is now based in Denver. As an artist and science illustrator working in acrylic, platinum-palladium, ink, and digital media, Catie has been fortunate to work with various organizations to create informative visual narratives exploring the natural world. Select clients include: The Nature Conservancy, The Santa Fe Botanical Garden, NPR, NOAA, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and State Parks. Recent awards include the Sharon Prize: 2023 recipient/2024 juror; Bell Projects: 2024 solo exhibition; Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts and Agriculture: 2023 artist-in-residence; and Museum of Outdoor Arts: 2023 muralist.
Opening Reception: August 1st from 6pm to 8pm at our A.I.R. Annex Gallery
Our commitment to supporting artists.
We provide all resident artists with housing support when needed, as well as multiple stipends to cover materials, pre-planning, weekly teaching, and opportunities such as a podcast or artist talk.
“I’ve been around residencies my whole career, and I’ve never seen one as supportive and engaging as PlatteForum’s.”
- Ilan Gutin, PlatteForum’s Curator and Engagement Director
“The residency really challenged me to push my work in new directions because it was a great experimental platform that really opened up some new possibilities in the way that I work.”
Tricia Waddell, Winter 2024 Resident Artist
Reserved for the best.
Our program is highly competitive, with over 100 applicants each year from across the country and internationally. With only 4 spots awarded annually, this opportunity is reserved for artists showing passion for their craft, and inspiring change in their communities.
“I was able to work with teens for the first time and experience their creativity. The opportunity to put on a show at the end of their residency was really an incredible thing to work towards. I mean, I think what was most surprising or kind of new for me being at this residency was having so much focus.”
Lexy Ho-Tai, Summer 2024 Resident Artist
