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 connect with 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. Artists also lead weekly workshops with ArtLab interns, culminating in exhibitions and/or performances in collaboration with youth.
The 2025-2026 Artist Residency Application is now closed.
The 2026-2027 Artist Residency Application will be open January-March 2026.
Meet our Current Resident Artist, April Werle
Narrative Painter | Resident until November 14th, 2025
April Werle (b. 1995, USA) is a narrative painter based in Missoula, Montana, exploring identity and folklore. Her recent solo exhibitions include Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple, Bell Projects, Denver, CO; Halo-Halo: The Mixed Children, ZACC, Missoula, MT; and Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits), Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. Werle is the recipient of the Emerging Artist Residency at Centrum Foundation (2024). She was honored with the Creative West BIPOC Artist Fund Award (2024), the Montana Arts Council Strategic Investment Grant (2023), and the Montana Arts Council ARPA Grant (2022). Werle’s work has been published in Create! Magazine, New Visionary Magazine, and Mahalaya.
Opening Reception: November 14th from 6pm to 8pm at our A.I.R. Annex Gallery
Our commitment to supporting artists.
We provide all Resident Artists multiple stipends to cover materials, pre-planning, and weekly teaching. We also offer short-term housing for one out-of-town artist per year, exhibition and marketing support, and specialized support to work with youth.
“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, 2024 Resident Artist
A unique opportunity.
Our Artist Residency is an opportunity like no other, combining a meaningful career opportunity, community engagement, and collaboration with youth. Our program is competitive, with over 50 applicants each year from across the country and globe and 3-4 residencies awarded annually. Resident Artists are selected by a panel that includes youth, former Resident Artists, and staff.
We offer application support through information sessions and individualized assistance. Please reach out to info@platteforum.org for assistance.
“My time at Platteforum was such a gift. I was able to really dive into my practice with so much support from the staff, who are all artists themselves. Working with ArtLab Interns was a really unique residency experience -- their creativity helped feed my own personal practice, and sparked my curiosity in continuing to work with teens.”
Lexy, 2024 Resident Artist
