Artist in Residence Cohort 2027
A formation journey for artists, pastors, and spiritually curious creatives
seeking to integrate faith, imagination, and vocation.
The Create Commission Artist in Residence Cohort is an eight month formation experience for artists and creatives who want to explore the intersection of faith, creativity, vocation, and mission.
This is not simply a program about making better art. It is an invitation to become a more deeply formed artist.
Together, residents explore what it means to create from a life rooted in Jesus, develop a clearer understanding of their voice and calling, build meaningful relationships with other creatives, and discover how their creative practice can become an expression of beauty, goodness, truth, healing, and hope in the world.
What makes this residency unique?
Artists are often encouraged to develop their craft, build an audience, grow a business, or create more work. Far less attention is given to the person doing the creating.
> Who are you becoming?
> What is shaping your creative life?
> Where is God present in your work?
> What are you being invited to create?
> Who are you being called to serve?
The Artist Residency creates space for artists to explore these deeper questions within a community of fellow creatives.
We believe sustainable creative work flows from a life that is spiritually rooted, self aware, connected to community, and attentive to the movement of God.
Participants leave the residency with more than inspiration. They leave with rhythms, relationships, practices, language, and a clearer sense of how their creativity fits within the larger story God is writing in the world.
Who should apply?
The Artist Residency is designed for artists and creatives who desire to grow in the integration of their faith, creative practice, and calling.
We recognize that every artist enters this journey from a different place. Applicants do not need to meet every qualification below, but priority will be given to individuals who demonstrate many of these qualities.
We are looking for applicants who:
Maintain an active creative practice.
Desire to more deeply integrate their faith, creativity, and calling; using their creativity to bring beauty, goodness, truth, healing, and hope into the world.
Are interested in discovering or deepening their understanding of their unique creative voice and calling.
Have a relationship with Jesus and are open to continued spiritual formation.
Are connected to, or willing to become meaningfully connected to, a local faith community.
Demonstrate curiosity, self awareness, humility, and a willingness to grow.
Desire to develop a sustainable creative life rather than simply increase productivity or professional success.
Are open to collaboration with other artists, churches, nonprofits, community organizations, and people outside their normal creative circles.
Are willing to experiment, take creative risks, ask difficult questions, and remain open to where God may lead throughout the residency.
Are willing to participate in meaningful community with artists whose experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, traditions, and creative practices may differ from their own.
Are able to commit fully to the residency experience, including monthly gatherings, reflection, creative practices, and a final capstone project.
You Do Not Need To Have It All Figured Out
You do not need a theology degree, an established artistic career, a large portfolio, or a perfectly defined calling to apply.
In fact, part of the purpose of the residency is to create space for discernment.
What matters most is that you are actively creating, willing to engage deeply, committed to the journey, and open to discovering how your life with God and your life as an artist might become increasingly integrated.
What does it cost?
The cost to participate in the eight month Artist in Residence Cohort is $2,500
This fee helps cover the full residency experience, including monthly gatherings, facilitation, guest speakers, materials, meals, group activities, and other program costs associated with supporting each cohort.
We want cost to be a consideration, not an automatic barrier. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for those who would otherwise be unable to participate.
Applicants may indicate their interest in scholarship support during the application process.
Important Dates
Applications Due
December 1, 2026
The Artist in Residence Cohort application includes:
Artist statement
Examples of work/practice
Statement of faith
2 letters of recommendations or support
A $35 non-refundable application fee
If you have questions about your application or the application process please contact our team at info@thecreatecommission.org.
Interviews
December 14, 2026 - January 9, 2027
A period of interviewing applicants and discernment over potential participants.
Notice of Acceptance
January 15, 2027
Applicants will receive email notifications of their acceptance status.
Accepted students are required to confirm their program participation and pay the deposit fee by January 31, 2027.
Projected Cohort Dates
The cohort will begin in March of 2027, with all-day in-person sessions scheduled monthly through October 2027. Cohort will end in a capstone project/exhibit/show that is TBD. Below are the dates for our 8 sessions.
February 28, 2027 – Virtual Orientation
March 27, 2027 – Session 1 | The Monastery AZ
April 24, 2027 – Session 2 | The Monastery AZ
May 22, 2027 – Session 3 | The Monastery AZ
June 18-20, 2027– Artist Retreat/Session 4 - location TBD
July 31, 2027 – Session 5 | The Monastery AZ
August 28, 2027 – Session 6 | The Monastery AZ
September 25, 2027 – Session 7 | The Monastery AZ
October 2027 – Session 8/Capstone - day/time/location TBD