ASTORIA — Astoria Visual Arts Artists-in-Residence Program seeks applications from local artists interested in the upcoming artist’s residency term, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 30.

Residency finalists (currently limited to locally based artists) are chosen on the basis of artistic merit by an independent blind selection panel of established working arts professionals and arts patrons.

The selected artists are provided with a studio in the Astoria Downtown Historic District free of charge for a three-month residency period.

Artists who have applied in the past are encouraged to reapply with an updated portfolio and statement reflecting updates and changes.

The deadline for application is Dec. 28.

AVA a-i-r is designed to encourage the creative, intellectual and personal growth of emerging artists. While no exhibition, publication or performance is required of the selected artist, community responsibility includes a weekend open studio event before the end of each AVA a-i-r session.

For more information and to apply online, visit http://astoriavisualarts.org

AVA was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit membership organization to enhance, strengthen and promote the arts in the greater Astoria area.