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.

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:

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.