Opportunity
The Boise City Department of Arts & History invites artists to apply for the opportunity to participate in an exhibition of fiber arts at the Erma Hayman House. The exhibition highlights the creativity and ingenuity found in textile practices across cultures, examining how artists use fiber-based media to shape identity, preserve tradition, and imagine new possibilities.
Artists can submit up to three existing artworks for consideration, which will be reviewed and selected by a panel. Selected artists will receive a $350 stipend and have the opportunity to offer works for sale to the public. The exhibition will be on display from January – September, 2027.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to artists residing within the United States at least 18 years of age. Strong preference will be given to artists or teams not currently on contract with Arts & History or represented in the Public Art Collection.
Boise City Department of Arts & History does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or disability.
Background
The Department of Arts & History manages the Erma Hayman House, the former home of longstanding resident Erma Andre Madry Hayman (1907 – 2009). Inspired by Erma Hayman’s career as a seamstress and evoking the strength of a community’s fabric of interwoven identities, this will take place at the Erma Hayman House.
Erma Hayman lived in the house at 617 Ash Street for over 62 years, deeply integrated into her neighborhood as a resident and advocate. The Historic River Street Neighborhood was the most ethnically and culturally diverse area of Boise for most of the 20th century, made up of immigrant and marginalized communities from all walks of life. The neighborhood identity was forged through a practice of caring for one another and providing community support.
Selection Criteria and Process
Selection will be made by Arts & History Staff and will score applications on the following criteria:
- Eligibility and application completion (Pass/Fail)
- Artistic quality of work submitted- artist show mastery of media and work clearly reflects intentionality or content (10 points)
- Submitted artwork aligns loosely with exhibition statement for use of fiber-based media to shape identity, preserve tradition, and imagine new possibilities (5 points)
- Uniqueness of composition and material use (10 points)
- Feasibility of installation at the Erma Hayman House- artwork mode of display at EHH includes: wall mounted (there are 2 walls that allow for anchorage of up to 50lbs per artwork; 2 walls that allow for 10 lbs of anchorage; pedestal or free-standing/self-supporting, or ceiling for artworks no more than 30 lbs. (5 points)
Application Requirements:
- Artists must provide a statement for each work submitted for consideration
- Artist must state installation method or hanging/mounting system for each work submitted
Questions & clarifications must be submitted to Kristen Hill khill@cityofboise.org, by September 15, 2026, at 5:00 pm MT.
Applications are due by September 30, 2026, at 1:00 pm MT.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
The City of Boise is proud to be a welcoming community striving to ensure a safe, equitable, and inclusive city that celebrates the diversity of people who live, work, and play in our community and recognizes the fundamental human dignity of all.
Accessibility
The City of Boise is committed to ensuring equal access to all public meetings, programs, and services. Reasonable accommodations and effective communication—such as ASL interpretation, materials in alternative formats and language access—are available at no cost to facilitate participation. To request an accommodation, please contact us at CommunityEngagement@cityofboise.org or call (208) 972-8500, TTY: 711.
CONTACT: Mónica Galván mgalvan@cityofboise.org | 208-608-7054 DEADLINE: August 28, 2025, at 11:59 pm MST
MORE ABOUT JAMES CASTLE MORE ABOUT THE BOISE CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & HISTORY
Boise City Department of Arts & History invites local and national emerging and mid-career artists in any creative field to apply for a two-week residency at the James Castle House in Boise, Idaho.
The Residency: This residency invites artists to immerse themselves in the historic site where James Castle lived and worked for the last 46 years of his life. Artists are asked to explore the house, its history, and the surrounding landscape, and respond to their experience through the creation of new works. Residents will share their creative practice and process with our community through one public event during their stay.
Each residency cycle provides one participant with private furnished living quarters, 24-hour studio access, and a $1,000.00 stipend to assist with living expenses and supplies necessary to create work. The resident is responsible for travel and shipping expenses.
Through this program, the James Castle House keeps the legacy of daily creativity and experimentation alive on-site, cultivating a growing local and national community and providing a deeper understanding of James Castle and the place he called home.
About James Castle:
Born in 1899, James Castle was deaf from birth and never gained proficiency in reading, writing, signing, or any other formal language system. Naturally curious and observant, Castle endlessly investigated his environment and material world, inventing many of the tools and techniques used to create his work. His methodological and experimental approach led to the creation of thousands of works of art, spanning a wide range of aesthetic and conceptual styles that have inspired artists and scholars for decades.
The James Castle House:
The James Castle House is a historic site and museum serving as a testimony to the legacy of self-taught artist James Castle. As stewards of this legacy, the James Castle House is responsible for managing Castle’s historic living and working spaces, art and artifact collections, and offering public opportunities to engage with the site.
Located in the historic Collister neighborhood, the James Castle House has easy access to Boise’s downtown and the nearby foothills, allowing residents to experience the beauty and culture of Idaho’s capital city while ensuring a quiet and private workspace.
*Please note that this is a solo residency. The selected participant will have regular contact with staff at the James Castle House and Boise community members, but they will reside alone. Residency Terms:
- January 11 – 25, 2027
- December 1 – 15, 2027
Applicants will select the date range that is best for their proposal.
Supported Disciplines: The James Castle House 2-week residency program is open to emerging and mid-career artists and professionals working in any creative field. This includes but is not limited to, visual or new media artists, poets, writers, musicians, dancers, metalsmiths, and printmakers. However, due to the property’s limitations and proximity to neighbors, the site cannot accommodate loud or especially messy processes. If special equipment or facilities are required for the creation of work, the James Castle House will work to find a partnership within the Boise community to fill those needs. Selection Criteria: Selections will be made by committee and based on the following:
- Strength of application
- Quality of work samples
- References
- Interview
Demographic information will not be available to committee panelists unless the applicant discloses identifying information in short answer application questions. Eligibility:
- Open to applicants legally able to work in the United States.
- Applicants must be able to pass a thorough background check.
- Applicants must be 18 or older.
The James Castle House does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or disability.
Duration of Residency: 2 weeks Number of Residents Per Term: 1 Companions Allowed: None
Expenses Paid By Resident:
- Travel Supplies
- Liability Insurance
- Food
- Other
Expenses Paid By James Castle House:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Stipend
Residency Setting: Suburban
Resources:
- WiFi
- Kitchenette
- Bus pass
- Bicycle
- Washer/Dryer
- Car trips for groceries and supplies
- Exclusive access to James Castle content and artwork
Accommodation:
- Private Living Quarters
- 275 sf Private Studio
- ADA Accessible
Studio Features:
- Sewing machine
- 3D printer
- Large format Canon Pro-1000 photo printer
- Basic hand tools
- Electric drill
- Circular saw
- French easel
- Conrad E15 etching press
- Utility closet with sink
- Chemical storage and removal
- Endless north-facing natural light
CONTACT: Mónica Galván mgalvan@cityofboise.org | 208-608-7054
DEADLINE: August 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm MST
MORE ABOUT JAMES CASTLE MORE ABOUT THE BOISE CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & HISTORY
Boise City Department of Arts & History invites local and national emerging and mid-career artists in any creative field to apply for a two-month residency at the James Castle House in Boise, Idaho.
The Residency:
This residency invites artists to immerse themselves in the historic site where James Castle lived and worked for the last 46 years of his life. Artists are asked to explore the house, its history, and the surrounding landscape, and respond to their experience through the creation of new works. Residents will share their creative practice and process with our community through several public events throughout their stay, including, but not limited to, workshops, open studios, and presentations.
Each residency cycle provides one participant with private furnished living quarters, 24-hour studio access, and a $4,000.00 stipend to assist with living expenses and supplies necessary to create work. The resident is responsible for travel and shipping expenses. At the end of their term, residents will donate a selected piece reflective of their time at the James Castle House and congruent with the quality and style of work portrayed in their application. This piece will be a part of the larger collection owned by the City of Boise.
Through this program, the James Castle House keeps the legacy of daily creativity and experimentation alive on-site, cultivating a growing local and national community and providing a deeper understanding of James Castle and the place he called home.
About James Castle:
Born in 1899, James Castle was deaf from birth and never gained proficiency in reading, writing, signing, or any other formal language system. Naturally curious and observant, Castle endlessly investigated his environment and material world, inventing many of the tools and techniques used to create his work. His methodological and experimental approach led to the creation of thousands of works of art, spanning a wide range of aesthetic and conceptual styles that have inspired artists and scholars for decades.
The James Castle House:
The James Castle House is a historic site and museum serving as a testimony to the legacy of self-taught artist James Castle. As stewards of this legacy, the James Castle House is responsible for managing Castle’s historic living and working spaces, art and artifact collections, and offering public opportunities to engage with the site.
Located in the historic Collister neighborhood, the James Castle House has easy access to Boise’s downtown and the nearby foothills, allowing residents to experience the beauty and culture of Idaho’s capital city while ensuring a quiet and private workspace.
*Please note that this is a solo residency. The selected participant will have regular contact with staff at the James Castle House and Boise community members, but they will reside alone. Residency Terms:
Spring Term:
- March 1 – April 30, 2027
Summer Term:
- June 1 – July 31, 2027
Fall Term:
- September 1 – October 31, 2027
Applicants will select the date ranges that are best for their proposal. Supported Disciplines: The James Castle House 2-Month Residency program is open to emerging and mid-career artists and professionals working in any creative field. This includes but is not limited to, visual or new media artists, poets, writers, musicians, dancers, metalsmiths, and printmakers. However, due to the property’s limitations and proximity to neighbors, the site cannot accommodate loud or especially messy processes. If special equipment or facilities are required for the creation of work, the James Castle House will work to find a partnership within the Boise community to fill those needs. Selection Criteria: Selections will be made by committee and based on the following:
- Strength of application
- Quality of work samples
- References
- Interview
Demographic information will not be available to committee panelists unless the applicant discloses identifying information in short answer application questions. Eligibility:
- Open to applicants legally able to work in the United States.
- Applicants must be able to pass a thorough background check.
- Applicants must be 18 or older.
The James Castle House does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or disability. Duration of Residency: 2 months Number of Residents Per Term: 1 Companions Allowed: None Expenses Paid By Resident:
- Travel Supplies
- Liability Insurance
- Food
- Other
Expenses Paid By James Castle House:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Stipend
Residency Setting: Suburban Resources:
- WiFi
- Kitchenette
- Bus pass
- Bicycle
- Washer/Dryer
- Weekly car trips for groceries and supplies
- Exclusive access to James Castle content and artwork
Accommodation:
- Private Living Quarters
- 275 sf Private Studio
- ADA Accessible
Studio Features:
- Sewing machine
- 3D printer
- Large format Canon Pro-1000 photo printer
- Basic hand tools
- Electric drill
- Circular saw
- French easel
- Conrad E15 etching press
- Utility closet with sink
- Chemical storage and removal
- Endless north-facing natural light