NEW YORK — WORTHLESSSTUDIOS has announced the launch of its open call for the 2026 Photographer in Residence (PIR) program, inviting analog photographers and photography-based artists to apply for one of seven residency slots. The initiative is designed to support artists working at pivotal moments in their careers, offering resources to create new, community-oriented bodies of work.
Neil Hamamoto, founder of WORTHLESSSTUDIOS, said the program perfectly aligns to the organization’s mission of supporting up-and-coming photographers.
“The inspiration for the program grew out of the same inspiration to start WORTHLESSSTUDIOS: Artists need more paid opportunities to focus on their work and more resources to support them in that process,” he said. “I believe our Photographer in Residence program is a great addition to the opportunities available to practicing photographers in NYC.”
The month-long residency unfolds inside a custom Airstream trailer that has been transformed into a fully functioning darkroom. Its mobility allows selected artists to embed themselves within the communities or environments they aim to document, enabling the creation of work deeply tied to a specific place. This approach underscores WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ broader mission of fostering art that engages directly with the public and its surroundings.
“Landing a one-month residency in the Airstream darkroom fuels experimentation,” said WORTHLESSSTUDIOS Director of Programming Julia Szejnblum. “In a city like New York where space is scarce, free materials and unrestricted darkroom access become an invaluable resource for producing new work.”
Selected residents will receive a $1,500 stipend and essential materials for analog photography, including film and photo paper. The program also offers professional development support, notably two complimentary workshops on scanning and digital printing provided by Brooklyn PrintWorks during the residency.
Applications for the 2026 PIR program are now open and will be accepted through 20 January 2026.
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