Call to Artists: PoetryXCollage Residencies-Spring 2026
Ends on
Kolaj Institute is seeking submissions for participants in one of two PoetryXCollage Residencies in Spring 2026:
The Elusive X: Virtual PoetryXCollage Residency: A five-session virtual residency, 21 February-22 March 2026
Early Deadline to Apply: 31 January 2026
Final Deadline to Apply: 14 February 2026
Fragment as Verse on the Wall: In-Person PoetryXCollage Residency: An in-person residency in New Orleans, Sunday, 12 April to Thursday, 16 April 2026. (Virtual Meetings on Thursday, 2 & 9 April)
Early Deadline to Apply: 28 February 2026
Final Deadline to Apply: 8 March 2026
Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until space is filled. Artists are encouraged to apply well before the deadline. Also, please note, responses may not be sent out until two weeks after the deadline.
Poetry is an art form that uses language and rhythm to express ideas, convey emotions, and share stories. In poetry, the aesthetic qualities of language make deeper meaning out of words, condensed language, and fragmented text. At its heart, collage is the juxtaposition of visual imagery composed in such a way as to do the same. Each of these art forms invites their audiences to revel in the complexity, richness, and nuance of contemporary life. Since 2022, Kolaj Institute has explored the intersection of poetry and collage. In Kolaj 32, Rod T. Boyer’s article “Mind the Gap: Collision and Context in Haiku and Collage“ compares the disjunction that occurs in haiku with a similar phenomenon in collage. Since then, we organized a series of residencies to explore the intersection of poetry and collage. We are interested in found poetry, blackout poetry, collage poems, haikus, centos, response collages, response poems, word scrambles, concrete poetry, scatter collage poems, and other poems and artwork that inhabit this world. Kolaj Institute’s PoetryXCollage project explores and documents the intersection of poetry and collage through a series of residencies, workshops, exhibitions, and PoetryXCollage, a printed journal of artwork and writing that operates at the intersection.
In April 2026, Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans will present the exhibition, "The Fragment as Verse", where all of the work in the exhibition stands at the intersection of poetry and collage. Often work at the intersection of poetry and collage is made for the page. In this exhibition, we will consider how artwork at the intersection operates on the gallery wall. When viewing this work, we are encouraged to think of the fragment which may be text or image as a verse in a complete poem.
To support artists working at the intersection of poetry and collage, Kolaj Institute is organizing two residencies. A virtual residency led by poet and collagist Jennifer Roche will take place between 21 February and 22 March 2026. An in person residency will take place at Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans 12-16 April 2026, and be led by Ric Kasini Kadour. In each of these residencies, artists will explore the intersection of poetry and collage, consider the role of these two artforms in their artist practice, and develop strategies for diffusing their artwork on the page and the gallery wall.
In the Virtual Residency, "The Elusive X", artists will concentrate on the intersection between Poetry X Collage, the dynamic space where these two methods of creativity intersect and inform one another. Our core path of exploration will be: How do we bring the visceral, linguistic precision of poetry and the fragmented, material nature of collage together? Jennifer Roche will lead participants on a journey of inquiry to explore what poetry and collage means for them, their work, and our culture. Poet and collagist S. Erin Batiste will join the residency as a guest speaker to share her own work and inform the artists about what Black Fems are doing at the intersection of poetry and collage and why she thinks it matters. Ric Kasini Kadour will share PoetryXCollage’s history and speak about the curatorial and editorial visions which guide the project.
The focus of the In-Person Residency, "The Fragment as Verse on the Wall", will be about making artwork for the exhibition, "The Fragment as Verse". From 10AM on Sunday, 12 April 2026 to 2PM on Friday, 16 April 2026, artists will have 24-hour access to the gallery, studio, and material library where they can work in community to make collage poetry. In daily meetings, artists will share work and get feedback from one another. Prior to the residency, artists will meet virtually where Ric Kasini Kadour will make presentations on the history of the project, artist practice, and the ecosystem of PoetryXCollage and Jennifer Roche will present on her observations of the intersection. Through in person discussions, artists will explore how the art they make at the intersection of poetry and collage exists on the printed page and on the wall of a gallery. Artists will be invited to present their work at the opening of the exhibition, "The Fragment as Verse", on Saturday, 18 April 2026, 2-4PM. The in-person artist residency at Kolaj Institute Gallery will coincide with the New Orleans Poetry Festival (16-19 April 2026) where we hope artists will connect with poets, editors, and publishers.
OUTCOME
After the Residency, artists will be invited to submit work for the PoetryXCollage journal and for an exhibition on Poetry & Collage at Kolaj Institute Gallery in April and May 2026.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Residencies are intended for self-motivated writers and artists, at any stage in their career, who want to develop their practice by exploring the intersection of poetry and collage while working in community with others. Writers and Poets who want to explore collage and visual artists who want to explore writing and poetry are encouraged to apply. Residencies are open to any artist over the age of 21 from anywhere in the world.
COST
VIRTUAL RESIDENCY:
The cost of the Virtual Residency is $600 USD per artist. A limited number of grants of $250 is available to offset the Virtual Residency fee and reduce barriers to participation in the program, particularly for those artists coming from places in the world that face historic economic disadvantages.
IN-PERSON RESIDENCY:
The cost of the residency is $750 USD per artist. A limited number of grants of $250 is available to offset the In-Person Residency fee and reduce barriers to participation in the program, particularly for those artists coming from places in the world that face historic economic disadvantages. NOTE: Travel to and from New Orleans, accommodations in New Orleans, and all meals are the responsibility of the artist. Financial aid is not available to offset the expense of travel, accommodation, or meals.
BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON RESIDENCIES:
The cost to take part in both Residencies is $1200 USD per artist. A limited number of grants of $250 is available to offset the Combined Residencies fee and and reduce barriers to participation in the program, particularly for those artists coming from places in the world that face historic economic disadvantages. NOTE: Travel to and from New Orleans, accommodations in New Orleans, and all meals are the responsibility of the artist. Financial aid is not available to offset the expense of travel, accommodation, or meals.
The Elusive X: Virtual Residency Schedule
Saturday, 21 February 2026, 2-4PM EST
Sunday, 22 February 2026, 2-4PM EST
Sunday, 1 March 2026, 2-4PM EST
Sunday, 8 March 2026, 2-4PM EDT
Sunday, 22 March 2026, 2-4PM EDT
Fragment as Verse on the Wall: In Person Residency Schedule
Sunday, 12 April 2026 (10AM) through Thursday, 16 April 2026 (2PM). Artists are welcome to attend the New Orleans Poetry Festival, taking place at the New Orleans Healing Center, 16-19 April 2026.
There will be two virtual pre-meetings for the residency over Zoom, Thursday, 2 April and Thursday, 9 April 2026, 7-9PM EDT.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions, send an email.