Edward E. Elson Artist-in-Residence Program

The Addison’s Edward E. Elson Artist-in-Residence program plays an important role in the museum’s exhibition and education programming, energetically supporting contemporary art by bringing established and emerging artists to campus. Every year, artists are invited to produce new work in the Visiting Artist Studio, exhibit in the galleries, give public talks, collaborate with students, and/or lead discussions with students from Phillips Academy and surrounding communities. Residencies range in duration from a few days to a series of short visits, to several months.

The Addison residency program began in 1946 with Charles Sheeler and continued informally until 1982 when it was endowed through the generosity of Phillips Academy alumnus Edward E. Elson, class of 1952.

Participating artists have included Anila Quayyum Agha, Dawoud Bey, José Bedia, Trisha Brown, James Casebere, Andrea Chung, Carroll Dunham, Chris “DAZE” Ellis, Wendy Ewald, Tony Feher, Hal Fischer, Robert Frank, Anna Gaskell, Jim Hodges, Robert Hudson, Lavaughan Jenkins, Fred Han Chang Liang, Kerry James Marshall, Lee Mingwei, Joel Shapiro, Richard Shaw, Frank Stella, Jessica Stockholder, Tristan Perich, James Prosek, Elaine Reichek, Alison Saar, Jeanne Silverthorne, Laurie Simmons, Lorna Simpson, Sumi Ink Club​, Triple Candie, William Wegman, Sue Williams, Fred Wilson, Terry Winters, and Andrea Zittel, among many others.

Edward E. Elson Artists-in-Residence have the use of a studio and an artist’s apartment gifted by Ann Hatch (AA ’67). The apartment was designed by conceptual artist David Ireland (1930–2009) and realized in collaboration with architect Henry Moss and J.F. Sirois Architectural Woodworking. Once the attic of a science building for Abbot Academy, Ireland transformed the cramped space into a livable loft that is filled with unexpected materials and artistic touches. Operating as both a living space and an art installation, the apartment is an accessioned work in the Addison’s collection.

Read more in Architectural Digest: Go Inside a Secret David Ireland–Designed Apartment at a Massachusetts Prep School >

Participation in the program is by invitation only. The curatorial committee makes careful and deliberate selections when considering artists in order to build connections with the Addison’s collection and exhibition program. While opportunities for residencies, acquisitions, and/or exhibitions are limited, artists are welcome to submit materials and proposals for curatorial consideration.
Instructions for artist’s submissions >

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Bartlett H. Hayes Prize Recipients

2023:

Reggie Burrows Hodges

Exhibition | Residency | Publication | Acquisition

2025:

Tommy Kha

Exhibition | Residency | Publication | Acquisition