To hear more about WARP from our Director of Programming, Julia Szejnblum, watch the recording of our information session.

WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ Artist Residency Program(WARP) provides state-of-the-art fabrication resources, space, generous funding, and industry-leading project management support to artists as they create ambitious, large-scale sculpture.

This residency embodies WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ core mission to support boundary-pushing artists to realize visionary projects. WARP supports artists at an important juncture in their careers while embracing the entire creative process from start to finish.

This program is done in partnership with UAP, a leading global design and public art fabrication studio in upstate New York that provides fabrication support: from traditional bronze casting and metal fabrication to advanced digital, robotic, and large-scale public sculpture production.

THE RESIDENT GETS

• $45,000 fabrication budget

• $5,000 artist stipend

• 5 to 7 weeks of access to UAP and fabrication curriculum

• Private studio space at UAP

• Project management support

• Housing and transportation stipend 

• Labor Support Stipend to be used for studio assistants

• Press Packet Materials

January 5 at 10:00 AM EST, 2026–March 31 at 11:59 EST, 2026: Open call live

April 2026: WORTHLESS internal review of applicants and virtual interviews

May 2026: In-person interviews for shortlisted candidates (compensated)

June 2026: The selected artist is announced

August-October 2026: 4-5 weeks at UAP for Session 1

October-December 2026: 1-2 weeks at UAP for Session 2

The residency is structured in two sessions. The first session, lasting 5–6 weeks, allows the artist to explore techniques, work in their studio, and begin fabrication. Due to fabrication timelines, there is a break between sessions. The artist then returns for a second session of 1–2 weeks to complete and finalize the works initiated during the first session.

For both sessions, WORTHLESS will work with the artist to get them housing and transportation for the artist to be able to live near UAP in upstate NYC.

Our application for the 2026 Open Call will be available from Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM (EST) to March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST). The application can be accessed via worthlessstudios.slideroom.com

• This program aims to support an artist based in New York City who works in sculpture and would benefit from access to UAP and its curriculum.

• All residents are expected to spend 5-7 weeks during the Fall of 2026 working at UAP in upstate New York.
  

• Please note that this residency does not include a presenting opportunity. Applicants should plan for the transportation, storage, and presentation of new work once the residency concludes. A portion of the residency’s financial support may be used to cover these expenses.

• Artists applying can’t be currently enrolled in an art-related degree program, nor be planning to attend an art-related degree program in the coming year.

• As a WARP artist, you are expected to adhere to ethical and professional standards, including:

1. Treat all individuals with dignity and professionalism.

2. Respect the dignity, safety, and humanity of others.

3. Promote a safe environment and report any risks.

4. Uphold fairness regardless of race, gender, orientation, or background.

5. Protect sensitive personal and project information.

6. Uphold high professional standards in all work and interactions.

The 2026 WARP Artist will be selected through an open call process. 

All applications will be reviewed by WORTHLESSSTUDIOS. Selected artists will be invited for a first round of virtual interviews. 

A second and final round of in-person interviews will be conducted. The 2026 WARP Artist will be selected by the WARP Selection Committee.

The WARP Selection Committee brings together a remarkable group of artists, curators, collectors, philanthropists, and cultural leaders who believe artists can create transformative work when provided the right resources, materials, and support—each lending their insight and influence to help select the 2026 WARP artist.

Important dates:

• April 2026: WORTHLESS internal review of applicants and virtual interviews

• May 2026: In-person interviews for shortlisted candidates (compensated)

• June 2026: The selected artist is announced

When reviewing applications, WORTHLESSSTUDIOS will judge applications based on:

• Preparedness to undertake the residency

  • Understands the challenges of large-scale sculpture making

  • Makes good use of the resources offered at UAP

• The impact that this residency will have on the artist’s career and production

  • Pushes the artist into a new stage of their career artistically and professionally

• Risk-taking and project ambition

  • Builds on the artist's previous trajectory while opening them to new ideas and techniques

• Design, fabricate, and complete a new artwork proposed in your application by the end of the residency period.

• Participate actively in meetings, check-ins, and open studio opportunities while the residency is taking place.

• Respond to WS staff communications and provide progress updates when requested. Have one meeting a week with WS Staff while in residency at UAP.

• Engage fully with UAP fabrication resources and schedule labor support as needed.

• Coordinate and cover the logistics of moving and storing the artwork when time at UAP is over. Arrange and pay for any storage beyond the residency period. 

• Ensure all rights to the artwork and any supporting materials (images, text, video) are cleared.

• Reimburse WS for fabrication expenses if the artwork is sold.

In 2026, one artist will be selected as a WARP resident.

No, we don’t. This residency is for an artist working alone.

Artists applying can’t be currently enrolled in an art-related degree program, nor be planning to attend an art-related degree program in the coming year.

No. This residency is for New York City-based artists only.

UAP Polich Tallix
453 NY-17K, Rock Tavern, NY 12575

Established in 1993 by brothers Matt and Dan Tobin, their modest Brisbane practice has evolved into a global art and design studio and workshop. In August 2019, UAP acquired the 60-year-old foundry, Polich Tallix, located in upstate New York, making UAP one of the most significant art foundries in the world. Its network comprises three key studios and workshops in New York, Brisbane, and Shanghai, and seven worldwide satellite offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Singapore, Sydney, and Riyadh.

From the design studio to the factory floor, UAP works across all aspects of the creative process, from commissioning and curatorial services, concept development, and design assistance to engineering, fabrication, and installation. Its diverse team of creative specialists, strategists, and practitioners shares an enduring vision for the future with an ingrained culture of collaboration. By pairing exceptional strategies and manufacturing capabilities with the team's unrivaled dedication to excellence, UAP ensures that our generation creates timeless and relevant artworks, ideas, and places that will inspire and connect people for generations to come. As a company, this is the common ground on which it moves forward.

More information: https://www.uapcompany.com/

• UAP Residents may park vehicles in their guest lot, located off of International Blvd.

• Ground floor white box workspace with concrete floor

• 21’ x 18’-4” (385 square feet) with 12 ft high walls

• Access to the studio by set of French doors (6’ W x 7’ H)

• Access to shared slop sink

• Studios have access to standard 120c outlets

• Open hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00 am-5:00 pm

• Studios are not private and UAP and WORTHLESSSTUDIOS have full authority to enter the space

UAP will provide access to a full production team for the duration of the residency which includes but is not limited to a dedicated project manager, fabrication specialists, digital designers and curators. A core tenet of the program is the opportunity to engage directly with UAP’s design and fabrication teams, gaining insight into processes that can be applied to the your own practice. At the outset, each resident works with a support to define goals, establish milestones, and ensure progress throughout the program. 

Department Workshops

Digital

• Direct scanning of surfaces.

• Examples of different textures/surfaces

• PMMA printing

• Scaling of a digital rendering

• Fabrication drawings

Mold

• Fundamentals of mold making with silicone rubber

• Different types of molds/mold applications

• Pattern prepping (release/cutting of pattern if needed)

• Dividing up a mold due to undercuts /negative space

• Highlighting examples of level of detail captured in mold

Wax Department

• Introduction to basic wax tools

• Making waxes directly from molds

• Reworking waxes from molds

• Experimenting with textures

• Sculpting directly in wax

• “Welding” of waxes

• Direct burnout

Sand Molding

• Introduction to the equipment and materials used

• Fundamentals of sand casting / building a sand mold

• Sand vs. rubber molds, what detail is possible within sand

• Gating systems within sand

Shell Department

• Overlapping introduction from building and gating systems

• Breakdown of materials used and their purposes

• Steps of building a shell mold for casting

• Difficult areas while building shell

Foundry Bay / Casting Divest

• Overview of equipment that is used

• Overview of shrinking within process

Metal Finishing

• Introduction to standard hand tools

• Introduction to larger tools within the department

• Welding (cosmetic, structural, and sculptural)

• Pre-finishing of castings

• Texturing of metal

• Introduction to different metal finishes

• Steps of achieving polished surfaces

• Prepping surfaces for paint or patina

Patina

• Introduction to basics of patina

• How different surfaces interact with patina

• Hot vs. cold patinas

• Patina possibilities on different metals

• Sealing of patina (wax)

• Conservation of patina

WS will support you with the following: 

• Provide hands-on project management support throughout the residency

• Develop and manage production timelines in collaboration with you

• Track and manage the project budget

• Source and coordinate vendors and suppliers

• Make the connection with skilled labor for fabrication and logistics

• Coordinate press and communications around your project

• Arrange and manage housing and transportation logistics during your time at UAP

• Serve as a liaison between your creative vision and the fabrication process to ensure smooth execution, efficiency, and safety

• If needed, WS can provide you with tools to bring to your studio at UAP.

FABRICATION BUDGET: the $45,000 fabrication budget will be directly managed and paid by WORTHLESSTUDIOS. This amount is allocated at the discretion of the WARP artist to fabricate the artwork as approved in their proposal. UAP should be used for all fabricator needs, unless WS approves using outside vendors or additional labor, if and when necessary. The artist is encouraged to spend the entire fabrication budget, as any remaining funds will not be recouped as a stipend. Should the artwork be sold, WS retains the right to reimbursement for all fabrication expenses incurred. 

LABOR SUPPORT BUDGET: WARP artists are provided 150 hours of external labor assistance for fabrication. The artist is responsible for scheduling this assistance as needed using approved contractors. Contractors might help with loading and unloading materials into the UAP studio and giving support to the artist while in their studio at UAP.

HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION BUDGET: To support artists during the residency, WORTHLESSSTUDIOS will book accommodations and transportation in advance. The housing and transportation options will be discussed with the artist and must fall under a pre-determined budget.

Please email us at team@worthlessstudios.org