Inside the 2026 Engagement Residency

Eight young adults explored creative pathways through Firelei Báez’s exhibition

Monday 27 July

This summer, eight young adults came together at our 22nd Street location for the gallery’s annual Engagement Residency, a six-week paid professional development program designed to introduce emerging creatives to careers across the arts while fostering meaningful connections between artists, communities and cultural institutions.

Inspired by Firelei Báez's exhibition, feet squelching on wet grass, nourished by uncertainty, this year’s residents immersed themselves in Báez’s expansive practice through close looking, collaborative research and conversations with staff across the gallery. Over twelve sessions, participants met with members from Operations, Events, Learning, Publishers, Digital Content, Front Desk and People & Culture, gaining first-hand insight into the many disciplines that support contemporary artistic practice. Alongside these exchanges, workshops introduced participants to research, public speaking and project development while encouraging them to explore careers across the arts.

‘I always wanted a career in art but working at the residency showed me exactly what I want to do.’

—Program Participant

Working in three groups—Digital Content, Community Engagement and Research—the residents developed original projects that responded to themes within Báez’s exhibition and extended its ideas beyond the gallery walls.

The Digital Content group—Dorothy, Naylin and Yihan—created and produced an original social asset centered on ‘View of Nature’ (2026), Báez’s monumental eight-panel painting, taking the project from initial concept and pitch through filming and editing.

The Community Engagement group—Amoya, Alexandria and Jay—designed and led a public program in partnership with gallery partner Culture For One. Centered around Báez's recurring exploration of the ciguapa—an elusive female trickster figure from Dominican folklore—the residents led an exhibition tour before inviting participants to create their own nature-inspired sculptural figures using air-dry clay, feathers, pipe cleaners and beads.

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Meanwhile, as part of the Research group, Danielle collaborated with staff from Ursula Magazine and Hauser & Wirth Publishers to uncover connections between Báez's work and her own creative practice, culminating in a self-published zine that was distributed to participants during the workshop with Culture For One.

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The residency reflects Hauser & Wirth Learning's ongoing commitment to expanding access to careers in the arts through sustained partnerships, paid professional opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. By connecting participants with artists, gallery professionals and local communities, the program offers first-hand insight into the many pathways that support contemporary artistic practice.

With thanks to Vincent, Dorothy, Naylin, Yihan, Amoya, Alexandria, Jay and Danielle for their curiosity, generosity and commitment throughout this year's residency.