COHORT MEMBERSHIP

Cohort VI: September 1, 2026 – February 29, 2028

Applications for Cohort VI are open now through midnight on June 12.

THE CEDARS UNION
INCUBATOR COHORT

Find Your People. Build Your Practice. Move Forward.

The cornerstone of The Cedars Union is an 18-month, studio-based residency for artists at an inflection point in their practice. Artists are selected through a juried process and placed within a diverse cohort in an open-format studio hall of micro-studios.

At its core, this program is about community, momentum, and growth. It’s designed to give you the space, tools, and connections to move your practice forward in a way that’s meaningful to you.

COHORT BENEFITS

24/7 Artist Access To:

Your own micro-studio to use on your own schedule
Access to professional-grade tools and training to help you expand your practice
Practical business and professional development to support a sustainable career
Opportunities to share your work through open studios, events, studio visits, and exhibitions
A cohort of artists working alongside you offering feedback, support, and collaboration
Staff who are invested in your growth and available as a resource
Connections to the DFW arts community, including curators, collectors, and peers
The flexibility to define your own goals and the support to move toward them

View Full List of Amenities, Tools, & Facilities

A COMMUNITY BUILT AROUND
ART IN PROGRESS

The Cedars Union is an active, shared studio, not a closed or isolated space. Artists work alongside one another and engage with the public through open studios and events.

Who This Is For

This program tends to work best for artists who want more than just a studio.

You’ll likely thrive here if you’re excited by the idea of being around other artists, sharing ideas, getting feedback, and building relationships over time. If you’re self-motivated, curious, and ready to take your practice more seriously, you’ll have a lot to work with.

Who This Might Not Be For

This may not be the right fit if you’re looking for a highly structured program with pre-defined goalposts. This is also not the right fit if you prefer to work in isolation.

The Cedars Union is a shared, active environment. Engagement is flexible, but it’s part of what makes the experience valuable.

STUDIO LEASE RATES

Artists in the cohort pay monthly rent for their studio spaces, which includes utilities, shared resources, and all program benefits. Materials are not provided. The Cedars Union offers two "micro studio" sizes, 8x8 ft. (64sqft) and 8x16 ft. (128 sqft), a studio concept designed in-house. They are completely customizable, with movable furniture and storage that can be outfitted to match each artist’s needs.

Available Micro-Studio Sizes

8' x 8' $102.00 per month
8' x 16' $205.00 Per month

MEET THE JURY

We are excited to announce the talented jury of arts professionals who will select the next cohort of artists to call The Cedars Union home.

Each cohort is selected through a juried process by artists and arts professionals who bring a range of perspectives and experiences. Their insight helps shape a cohort that is thoughtful, diverse, and ready to grow together.

EMILY BUDD

Emily Budd is a sculptor and Assistant Professor of Art in Sculpture at Southern Methodist University. She earned an MFA from California College of the Arts in 2018 where she received a Cadogan award from the San Francisco Foundation.

THOMAS FEULMER

Since 2004 Thomas has worked at The Rachofsky House and The Warehouse, where he serves as Curator. His most recent project, Francisco Moreno: Historia Sintética, is currently on view at The Dallas Contemporary.

Christina Hahn

Christina J. Hahn is a Dallas-based multidisciplinary artist, independent curator, and founder of the Dallas Asian American Art Collective. Hahn was a member of The CU’s fourth Cohort.

Ade Omotosho

Ade Omotosho is a writer, art historian, and curator from Dallas, Texas, whose research concentrates on the art of the global Black diaspora. He is The Nancy and Tim Hanley Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Ahava Silkey-Jones

Ahava Silkey-Jones is the Vice Provost for the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment, and Design at Dallas College, where she leads academic strategy, programming, and industry partnerships for the arts across seven campuses.

The Incubator Cohort is juried and space is limited. If you’re ready to step into a community that will challenge you, support you, and open doors, we encourage you to apply.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY BY JUNE 12

Amenities, Tools, and Facilities

Multi-material cutter
Projectors
Letterpress
Small and large printmaking presses
Basic photography lighting
Juki industrial sewing machines
Singer sewing machines
Scroll saw
Table saw
Vertical band saw
Drill press
Sanders
Jointer
Planer
PC and Mac workstations
- Adobe Creative Suite and other creative software
Vinyl cutter
Plotter
3D printers
Flatbed scanner

Tool demos and technical workshops
Skill-based workshops (materials, processes, techniques)
Professional development workshops, for example:
- Artist statements
- CV building
- Grant writing
- Legal services / contracts
- Entrepreneurship training

Opportunities for professional documentation of artwork
Monthly member critiques (peer & professional feedback)
Field trips
Social events
Cohort exhibition (dedicated show)
Annual All-Members exhibition
Open Studio events (public-facing)
Studio tours with:
- Curators
- Collectors
- Art professionals

General networking & visibility opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Some additional perks of participating may include (when available and not guaranteed):

Opportunities to attend galas/VIP events like the Dallas Art Fair Preview Reception
Paid opportunities to teach workshops, give lectures, or do demonstrations
Private collection, behind the scenes, or other special access tours
Studio visits with potential collectors, out of town guests, members of like-minded arts organizations, established artists, gallerists and curators, and more
Complimentary memberships or passes
Access to experts willing to provide discounted or pro bono services

The CU has traditionally supported artists working in a wide variety of visual arts. Two literary artists participated in Cohort V. We have limited abilities to support dancers, actors, musicians, and other performing artists but if you work in those areas and would like to discuss possibilities, we’re open to exploring that with you. Similarly, artists who are producing large-scale work might not have the space required to actively create in our micro-studios.

Yes. In addition to guaranteed admission into 3 group exhibitions during their time in the incubator cohort, additional opportunities often arise through connections built during the program. Additionally, artists have opportunities to show their work (both finished and in progress) through open studios, events, and tours. We will also often share opportunities from other groups or organizations with our community for consideration.

The following are required over 18 months:

Attend orientation and related trainings (2-3 days over 1 month)
Participate in 4 open studio events
Participate in 3 fundraising events (We’re a nonprofit and we can’t support you if donors don’t support us!)
Allow us to share information about and images of your practice with our community
Attend one mid-cycle cohort-wide meeting
Complete an entry, mid-point, and exit interview and planning session with staff
Complete an entry, mid-point, and exit survey
Donate one medium-sized work of art to The CU

We kindly request that if you only plan to participate in the minimum, you leave space in the program for those who want to engage more deeply.

The Cedars Union complies with all applicable accessibility standards and is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for artists of all abilities.

Our space is designed to be flexible and supportive, and we’re always open to working with artists to understand and accommodate individual needs wherever possible. If you have specific questions or requests, we encourage you to reach out. We’re eager to talk through what support might look like.

At the same time, The Cedars Union is an active, shared studio environment. The open studio model includes a level of ambient noise, activity, and interaction that may not be ideal for artists who require complete silence or minimal sensory input to work.

This is also a self-directed program. While our team provides guidance, resources, and connection, we are not able to provide ongoing, individualized support or supervision. The program is best suited for artists who are able to work independently within a communal setting.

Yes. The Cedars Union is committed to fostering a community where artists of all backgrounds feel respected, supported, and able to fully show up in their work and in the space.

We welcome artists across identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and immigration status. Our community is built on mutual respect, curiosity, and care for one another.

We also support artists whose work engages with complex, personal, or challenging themes. The Cedars Union is a place for exploration and dialogue, where artists can take risks, ask questions, and share work that reflects their lived experiences and perspectives.

At the same time, we expect everyone in the space to contribute to a respectful, inclusive environment. That means engaging thoughtfully with others, even when perspectives differ.