The Canopy Program
The Canopy Program is a year-long intimate mentorship program, providing artists access to work exclusively with a Faculty Mentor and a Cohort of 10 artists for three semesters.
The Canopy Program Overview
In-person cohorts are available for artists based in the NYC Area. Our studio is located in Chelsea (NYC).
Virtual cohorts are available for artists around the world. Meetings are hosted via Zoom.
Artists will meet regularly throughout the program’s year for critiques, discussion and resource building. Each Cohort will have opportunity to engage in additional special workshops and lectures. The Canopy Program culminates in a pop-up group show with an opening reception in New York City!
Mentorship
In-depth consistent guidance from your Cohort Mentor for three semesters.
In Person and Virtual
There are options for both New York based in person cohorts as well as virtual cohorts which you can join from anywhere!
Additional Faculty
Weekly virtual + in person salons open to all Canopy Artists!
Community
Work with an intimate cohort of 10 artist peers + 1 Cohort Mentor.
Visiting Critics + Guest Speakers
Exclusive access to esteemed Guest Artists and Visiting Critics.
Professional Practices
Real talk + feedback about professional practices for artists.
Art History / Research
Conversation + lectures about art history, contemporary artists and research. In addition to recommended viewing + reading.
Writing Edits
Artist statement edits by a guest editor, Amanda Nedham.
Group Show in NYC
The Canopy Program culminates in a Group Show with your Cohort in Chelsea, NYC! Check out previous exhibitions.
Unlock Canopy 2.0
After completing Canopy, artists can enroll in Canopy 2.0. Learn more about Canopy 2.0.
Canopy Founder, Catherine Haggarty, shares her thoughts on the program.
Application Information
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Program acceptance will be based on level of commitment to the year's schedule and the development of the artist's work and experience. The level of participation within each artist's respective community and their engagement with group dynamics is considered in this program's scope and application decisions.
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Artists of all ages welcome to apply. Must be 20 years old + and not currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.
Artists of any academic pedigree (BA, BFA, MFA, or self-taught) are welcome to apply. Artists are juried based on the caliber of their work and dedication to their artistic practice.
Artists are welcome to apply to more than one Cohort via the application. If accepted, you will be accepted into only one Cohort. Please clarify on your application who is your first choice Faculty Mentor to work with.
A website link or Google Slides portfolio showcasing at least 15-20 artwork images (completed artworks or installation views). Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply; including painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, sculpture, video, performance, etc. Please note: Instagram is not a tool for us to review artists' work.
On the application you will be asked to write two brief statements of intent explaining your decision to apply to The Canopy Program and sharing more about your choice of Faculty Mentor.
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Tuition + Financial Aid + Scholarships
Cost Breakdown
The full tuition total is $6,500
This breaks down to $88 per contact hour. We believe in full transparency for where tuition dollars go.
We offer payment plans as well as financial aid and scholarships.
Learn more about tuition break down and financial aid opportunities.
The James Bernard Haggarty
Scholarship of Service and Commitment
$3,000 Scholarship offered to one artist in each Canopy Program cohort.
Juried by Catherine Haggarty
Qualified candidates:
Have applied to a canopy cohort
Have demonstrable financial need
Are committed to serving their community
Are committed to their artistic development
The Lumin Wakoa
Scholarship for Artist Parents
$2,000 scholarship offered to three artist/parents in each Canopy Program cycle.
Qualified candidates:
Have applied to a canopy cohort
Are an artist parent
Testimonials
“The Canopy program has been an incredibly rewarding experience…being part of such a supportive and intellectually stimulating community has been invaluable.
The generosity and intelligence of everyone involved has made the experience even more meaningful, reminding me how important it is to be part of a collaborative and thoughtful environment.”
— Jessica Alazraki, Canopy 2024/2025
“The Canopy Program helped me regain some structure in my studio practice, realign my brain back to my work, demystified what being an artist means today, and has made me much more comfortable talking about my work & showing it to others.
I was really impressed with the diversity and strength of work from the artists in my cohort and [my mentor’s] ability to be present and really see our work and name things she was seeing.”
— Bonnie Paisley
, Canopy 2024
Cohorts past and present
This isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of what we believe in. We’re here to create work that matters, led by a shared commitment to quality and care.