Atlanta, Georgia – Fulton County Arts & Culture is now accepting applications for the 2026 Public Art Futures Lab Artists-in-Residence Program. This program invites artists from the Atlanta area to take part in an immersive project that combines art, technology, and public space.
The initiative is now in its fifth year and continues to supports experimental and community-based work that shows how public art is changing in a digital environment. People can apply until February 10, 2026, and the chosen artists will be unveiled in late March.
The Public Art Futures Lab in Downtown Atlanta will host the 18-week residence, which is accessible to artists from all fields. Participants are encouraged to suggest ideas that look to the future, involve the public, and deal with modern city living.
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The residency is mostly self-directed, however artists will work on their projects based on community-focused briefs made with the help of program partners Atlanta Downtown (ATL DTN) and MARTA Artbound.
Artists chosen for the program will have access to a fully equipped studio with computers for 3D graphics, programming, and multimedia production, as well as VR headsets, projectors, and other high-tech instruments. The residency also stresses working together by providing mentorship and connections to experts in the arts, design, technology, academia, and non-profits.
Funding support is a big part of the program. Residents get stipends from ATL DTN and MARTA Artbound that range from $5,000 to $8,000. Artists will not only get money, but they will also be able to create long-term connections with public and private partners who share their interests.
At the end of the residency, the participants will show their work to the public in exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, or other easy-to-access ways.
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There will be three different residency opportunities for the 2026 group. Two of them, made with ATL DTN, will be about projection mapping and augmented reality. They will encourage big digital projects that work with the built environment in Downtown Atlanta.
The third residency, which is being done with MARTA Artbound, will take place in places where people are moving around and waiting, and it will look at how art and technology affect our daily lives.
Important dates are a virtual information session on January 13, 2026, juried evaluations in February and March, and announcements of residencies during the week of March 23. The Public Art Futures Lab has been a one-of-a-kind, government-supported way to combine art and technology since it opened. Its earlier initiatives have brought art to life in public areas and strengthened Atlanta’s reputation as a center for arts innovation.
Artists interested in applying can visit https://publicartfutureslab.com for eligibility requirements, FAQs, and application details. Applications must be submitted through Submittable by February 10, 2026, at midnight EST.
For more information about ongoing programs and services, please visit: www.fultonarts.org or contact the Department of Arts & Culture at 404-612-4000.
