In 2026, SFAI is piloting a transformative, one-year reimagining of our Thematic Residency program in response to the growing global crises of ideological division, cultural fragmentation, and ecological instability. Instead of traditional onsite residencies at our Santa Fe, NM facilities, this fellowship offers artists a unique, project-based opportunity to cultivate empathy, promote healing, and advance pluralism within their own communities.This innovative fellowship encourages artists to work locally, developing projects that bridge societal divides, foster mutual understanding, and inspire positive change through creative expression. The program seeks to amplify the power of art in uniting communities, providing a platform for artists to create work that addresses urgent issues and brings together diverse perspectives. Through this reimagined format, SFAI reaffirms its commitment to responding to the global need for healing and connection during these times of profound division.The fellowship includes a $10,000 stipend, staff-supported community engagements (virtual), project documentation support, and peer-supported learning opportunities to assist artists in executing their projects. Participants will also engage in monthly virtual gatherings with their cohort and invited peers, where they can share ideas, collaborate, and expand their professional networks.Together, we can carry forward SFAI’s legacy of socially engaged art making—and respond, with urgency and imagination, to the challenges facing our world today.