The Canopy Program is a year-long intimate program, providing artists access to work exclusively with a Faculty Mentor and a Cohort of 10 artists for three semesters. Cohorts are available virtually via Zoom for artists based across the world, in-person Cohorts are available for artists living in the New York City area.

Artists will meet regularly throughout the program’s year for critiques, discussion and resource building in professional practices and art history lectures. Each Cohort will receive the opportunity to engage in special workshops, lectures and critique with Guest Speakers, Visiting Artists + Critics. Each Cohort will culminate in a pop-up group show with an opening reception in New York City at the end of program!

We recommend watching the Cohort Mentor introduction videos featured on the Cohort pages to learn more about their work + teaching philosophy. Ultimately, each Cohort Mentor is equipped to discuss and help a wide range of mediums and techniques but your preference needs to be a personal choice.

Additionally, The Canopy Program's Founder, Catherine Haggarty, hosts Info Sessions + Office Hours during the application periods. She is happy to review your work and make mentor recommendations.

What is most important for us to see is developed and considered work in the artists portfolio and a sincere and committed interest in this year-long program. Artists that are ready to work in response to assignments and projects is optimal. Being open to feedback and being able to also offer genuine feedback to peers is a huge part of this experience!

Have a solid updated website with more than a few images, showing diverse bodies of work and participation. Apply with an updated website or a PDF of 10-15 images of work for review. All images should be clearly labeled with title, medium, year, and possibly, additional context. One or two install shots are great to include. We are curious to learn what you are currently interested in!

The workload can vary. At a minimum, artists are expected to attend their regluarly scheduled 20 cohort meetings (~3 hours per meeting) throughout the program. All artists also have access to additional + asynchronous, and optional content such as artist lectures, salons, workshops, and social meetups throughout the program year! 

Most if not all Canopy artists come to the program with jobs, families and busy studio practices. Most, if not all artists are able to balance a work/life balance and family obligations while enrolled. The workload reflects a dedicated studio life where artists continually make their work as they would but within the Canopy there are deadlines and prompts to help artists focus and hone in on specific ideas.

This happens occasionally and we understand, meeting notes and recordings will be offered for all artists in the program. We highly encourage consistent attendance on all class meetings and that commitment is an important part of the acceptance and participation of the program. 

We are not an accredited institute and don’t strive to be. We are interested in offering a space for artists post school - be it BFA or MFA or otherwise. We can’t provide what MFA programs provide in terms of two years of intensive coursework and a studio. However, we provide the same high level of dialogue, faculty credibility and community that one may receive with a MFA program - but without the debt.

Yes! Please view Tuition and Financial Aid to learn more about the full cost of the program and available Financial Aid. Payment plans are available for ALL artists and we are open to providing Financial Aid to all artists who need it. We strive to make sure all accepted artists can participate. 

Scholarships are also available and can be applied for within The Canopy Program application.

We will reserve a seat for you and contact you immediately if someone drops within the first two weeks of the new program year commencing. Alternatively, if a space does not become available or you would like to defer, we are happy to reserve you a seat for the next upcoming Canopy Program year. You would receive first choice of your preferred Cohort Mentor. 

Yes! You are welcome to re-apply! All Canopy Program Artists are also welcome back at any time! We strongly believe that education never ceases, and that mentorship + development is valuable at all points of life. 

If currently enrolled in The Canopy Program and have the ability to participate in 2 Cohorts, you are welcome to apply for an upcoming Cohort. 

Additionally, we offer Canopy 2.0 which is available to all artists who have completed at least one year of The Canopy Program. Learn more about Canopy 2.0. 

Applications open twice a year.

Applications open in the summer (~ June-August) for a Fall/September start.

Applications also open in in the winter (~November-January) for a Spring/March start.