Artist in Residence - Recology King County: Mercer Island

Artist in Residence

Recology King County has opened our call for artists application for the 2025 AIR Program! Apply here.

Recology King County Artists in Residence Program

The Artist in Residence (AIR) Program at Recology is a unique art and education program that provides King County artists with access to discarded materials, a stipend, and an exhibition and reception at the end of the residency. Modeled after the Artist in Residence Program at Recology San Francisco, Recology hopes to encourage people to conserve natural resources and promote new ways of thinking about art and the environment, by supporting artists who work with recycled materials.

During their residencies, artists have scavenging privileges at the Recology MRF. At the conclusion of their residency, Recology hosts a public exhibition and reception for the artists featuring the artwork made during their residency. When the residency ends, artists contribute artwork to the program’s permanent collection and these pieces continue to be shown in off-site exhibitions that promote recycling and reuse.

For more information about the program: contact Recology King County AIR program managers Maria Phillips at mphillips@recology.com or Amanda Manitach at AManitach@recology.com

Check out the 2024 exhibition

View Past Artists

Program Mission:

To encourage the reuse of materials
To support King County artists by providing access to materials available at the recycling facility
To prompt children and adults to think about their own consumption practices
To encourage the public to consider the connection between art and the environment

We Provide Artists with:

Access to the materials at the Material Recovery Facility
An exhibition and reception at the end of the residency (including printed invitations, refreshments, installation assistance, etc.)
Miscellaneous supplies and equipment
A monthly stipend
The presentation of artists’ work in off-site exhibitions

Expectations of the Artist:

Be available to greet and speak to tour groups
Make several pieces of art for the company’s permanent art collection
Use materials recovered from King County’s waste stream
Be available to talk with the media