Artists-in-Residence

Isabella Stewart Gardner surrounded herself with creative talent—from musicians and dancers to writers, scholars, and painters. During her lifetime, Fenway Court was a venue for concerts, a gathering place for thinkers, and even a place for artists to work. In 1903, Isabella established the Museum’s first artist residency there, inviting John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925) to stay and use the Gothic Room as his studio. In 1992, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum formalized and expanded these opportunities as the Artists-in-Residence program. We’ve now welcomed over 110 artists who have produced new work for the Museum while living and working in our dedicated New Wing apartments and built relationships that last a lifetime. After their stay, artists often return as friends and collaborators of the Gardner, and their lasting bonds with staff bring new perspectives to our exhibitions, performances, and other public programs.

Two women looking at textiles in the conservation lab.
A young woman stretches out on a bright red sofa reading a book in a apartment with glass panels along one wall.
A man studies a large image of a head with snakes for hair.
A black and white photograph of man painting a woman and a young girl seated in the rear of the photo.
Artist-in-Residence Hamra Abbas looking at textiles in the conservation lab.

Photo by Nic Lehoux

Artist-in-Residence Hamra Abbas in the Artist Apartments. 

What Petrifies You?, a workshop by Artist-in-Residence Cesare Pietroiusti and students from the SMFA, Boston, January 20-24, 2016.
J. Templeman Coolidge (American, 1856-1945), John Singer Sargent Painting Gretchen Osgood Warren and her daughter Rachel in the Gothic Room, Fenway Court, 1903. Platinum print, 16.2 x 13.7 cm (6 3/8 x 5 3/8 in.)

Past Artists-in-Residence

Artists from all creative fields are invited to be Artists-in-Residence at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Some of these included:

A–L

M–Z

Return to Contemporary Art page

The Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by Lizbeth and George Krupp and directed by Pieranna Cavalchini, Tom and Lisa Blumenthal Curator of Contemporary Art, and is supported by the Barbara Lee Program Fund. Funding is also provided for site-specific installations of new work on the Anne H. Fitzpatrick Façade on Evans Way.