The Gary Kelley Artist-In-Residence
The Gary Kelley Artist-In Residence is a twelve-month studio residency at the Hearst Center, established in honor of the legacy of Gary Kelley, Cedar Falls' most celebrated visual artist and longtime champion of the Hearst Center, by giving artist dedicated space, time, and support to develop a body of original two-dimensional work.
Applications open August 15, 2026, and will be accepted through September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. One artist will be selected, with the announcement made to the public in October 2026. Read the official press release (link below) for more.
Official press release with overview, rules, regulations, and more.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The residency is built around three ideas central to how Gary worked and how he supported other artists: dedicated studio space free from distraction, proximity to a working community of fellow artists and arts professionals, and a clear, tangible outcome: a finished, framed, ready-to-hang body of work the artist can use to pursue future opportunities.
The Gary Kelley Artist in Residence program transforms Kelley’s donated studio furnishings into a working creative environment for area artists. Through a competitive selection process, artists receive a stipend and dedicated studio space, including access to Kelley’s original work table and easel, to pursue independent creative projects while collaborating with the Hearst on community-based initiatives.
The program addresses a need within the regional creative community by providing dedicated, supported studio time that is often difficult for artists to access outside of academic settings. Distributions from the endowment fund provide ongoing support for artist stipends and program expenses, ensuring the residency program remains a sustainable resource for artists and a lasting investment in the cultural life of the Cedar Valley.
GARY KELLEY ENDOWMENT FUND
The Gary Kelley Artist in Residence Endowment Fund supports a unique program at the Hearst Center for the Arts that honors the legacy of Cedar Falls illustrator Gary Kelley while creating new opportunities for artists in northeast Iowa.
For additional information about this fund and how you can support and donate to the program, visit the Gary Kelley Hearst Endowment.
WITH THANKS
The Gary Kelley Artist in Residence has been made possible by the Friends of the Hearst along with the support of the Kelley family, through the establishment of the Gary Kelley Artist in Residence Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. This permanent endowment fund is invested and grows over time, providing a long-term, stable source of income to support the newly launched residency program and its impact on artists across northeast Iowa.
