Application Opens: September 2, 2025 | Application Deadline: December 2, 2025

Call for Applications

The Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC) at the University of Miami Libraries invites applications for the Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Artist-in-Residence program for the 2026–2027 academic year.

This residency supports artists across all disciplines, including but not limited to literary, visual, and performing arts, who wish to conduct extensive research in the rich archival holdings of the CHC to advance their artistic practice. The program provides time and resources for research and creative immersion in the CHC’s extensive collections, which document the history and culture of Cuba and its diaspora. Winners will also deliver a public lecture on their findings and artistic plans to the University of Miami community. The collections include personal papers, scores, books, sketches, and other items that document the careers of many notable Cuban and Cuban diaspora artists, as well as materials pertaining to Cuban history and culture more broadly.

About the Program

The 2026–2027 academic year marks the inaugural cycle of the Roberto C. Goizueta Artist-in-Residence program at the Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC). This new initiative reflects CHC’s deep commitment to supporting creative work that engages with the histories, cultures, and lived experiences documented in its collections.

The program supports up to two artists to spend a single semester (five months) in residency, during which the selected artist(s) will conduct research toward and develop a new body of work rooted in or inspired by CHC collections.

Artists retain intellectual control over the final creative work but are encouraged to contribute preparatory or process-based materials (such as drafts, sketches, recordings, or notes) to the CHC archive as documentation of their work.

The Artist-in-Residence will receive a stipend of $5,500 per month, totaling $27,500 for the 5-month residency. Artists are expected to be in residence at the CHC at least 3 full days per week. Please note that studio space is not guaranteed as part of this fellowship.

Fall semester residencies will run from August through December, and spring semester residencies will run from January through May.

Eligibility

Artists working in any discipline with established trajectories in their fields are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be recognized for their creative contributions and demonstrate excellence through a consistent body of work. Distinction may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, such as:

• Exhibitions in galleries, museums, or other recognized venues
• Published works, including books or literary journals
• Performances at notable festivals, theaters, or institutions
• Screenings of films at festivals, cinemas, or museums
• Awards, fellowships, or other recognitions from arts organizations
• Reviews, press coverage, or critical acclaim
• Public engagement, such as lectures, workshops, or artist talks

Eligible fields include, but are not limited to:

• Visual arts
• Literary fiction, poetry, and playwrighting
• Performing arts
• Filmmaking
• Interdisciplinary and hybrid media arts

We especially welcome applications from artists whose work engages with themes of migration, memory, identity, and cultural heritage as they relate to Cuba or the Cuban diaspora. Artists from the Miami area, across the United States, and internationally are all welcome to apply. Please note that visa eligibility is at the sole discretion of the U.S. government, following all federal laws and regulations. We encourage interested international applicants to review J-1 visa requirements carefully and to be mindful of the shifting landscape of federal visa policies and procedures when evaluating whether to apply.

Award Details

Stipend: $5,500 per month

Residency Length: One academic semester (5 months)

Total Award: $27,500

Residency Period: Between August 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027

Public Engagement: The artist is expected to present one public lecture during the residency.

Disclaimer: For U.S. nationals and residents, the stipend will be paid as miscellaneous income, meaning taxes are not ordinarily withheld, even though the income is generally taxable. (Taxes may be withheld for candidates from outside the United States.) Healthcare and retirement benefits are not included in the fellowship award. U.S.-based applicants are encouraged to maintain enrollment in benefits programs offered by their home institutions or employers, as applicable. We will work with candidates from outside the United States and the University of Miami’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services to support J-1 visa applications, cover visa application costs, and provide an additional stipend for healthcare coverage. The Cuban Heritage Collection abides by all U.S. federal laws in administering this fellowship program.

Application Process

Applications Open Sep 2

Applications must be submitted via Interfolio and include the following materials, in English or Spanish:

• Personal Statement and Project Proposal (maximum 1,000 words)
  • Describe your artistic practice and background
  • Detail your proposed residency project and how it will engage CHC collections
• Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
• List of Relevant CHC Materials (a preliminary list of collection materials to be consulted)
• Work Sample
  • One of the following, depending on your medium:
    • Up to 10 images of work (PDF or portfolio)
    • One writing sample, no more than 15 pages long
    • A video or audio sample via URL (YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc.)

For any inquiries regarding the application process and/or eligibility, please contact chc@miami.edu.