ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Artist in Residence Program

The Mancos Common Press’ ARTIST in RESIDENCE – Call to Letterpress Artists

Deadline to Apply:  The 2023 application window is closed.  Please send an email to [email protected] to be notified for submitting for our 2024 Artist in Residence.

Application Fee: $20

The Mancos Common Press calls all letterpress printers to apply for our Artist in Residence opportunity.  This 7-day residency includes full access to our historic printing facility located in downtown Mancos, CO.  Applicants are expected to have prior letterpress printing knowledge and be capable of working independently with our presses, type collection and other related equipment.

The Residency includes:

  • 24-hour independent access to the Press facility
  • All ink and press cleaning supplies
  • 7 nights of lodging, walking distance to the Press
  • $500 stipend

Residents are responsible for:

  • All transportation to and from the Residency
  • All food
  • Paper (the Press has some available for purchase) and other necessary materials for their project.  (Please be advised that there’s not a good supply of materials available locally so it’s important to bring materials with you or have them sent ahead of the residency.)

Residents are also asked to hold an open house and/or artist’s talk to share their work with the community and to donate 3 prints to the Press from their time in residence.


The following weeks are available for this year’s residency:

  • July 22-30, 2023
  • July 29 – Aug. 6, 2023
  • Aug. 19 – 27, 2023
  • Aug. 26 – Sept. 3, 2023

The Press is located in the original Mancos Times newspaper building and our facility includes much of the equipment used to print the newspaper from its beginnings in 1910.  In 2013 a community group started the process of transforming the space into a community letterpress facility.  We now offer classes and events for the community and host a group of artists who use the facility for their own printmaking work.

Equipment at the Press includes: 1 Chandler & Price 10”x15” platen press, 1 Challenge 15MP flatbed cylinder proof press (14”x18” form size), 1 tabletop 5”x9” platen press, a substantial metal type collection and a smaller wood type collection, historic image cuts from the newspaper, furniture/spacing and all the necessary tools to set and lock up forms, several paper cutters, Boxcar bases and a set of Daredevil Furniture.

To apply, please complete the application and submit three to five examples of your work.  A proposal describing a well thought-out and achievable description of your plans for the week is an essential component of a successful application. We are open to artists working on on-going projects during their week here or taking the opportunity to explore new dimensions of their letterpress work.  

The Press will provide an orientation to the facility and equipment, but all artists must be able to work independently toward their stated goals. 

Mancos Common Press is not liable for any injury or loss experienced by the artists while part of the residency. Mancos Common Press will not be held responsible for any physical ailment related to Covid-19 contracted by the artist before, during, or after the residency.

Previous Artists

New Gift Cards!

Give some one a gift card redeemable on letterpress classes, artist membership fees, and even our amazing hand-printed letterpress merchandise! Buy Mancos Common Press gift cards online today.

Even a small contribution makes a big impact.

Every contribution helps.
MCP is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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