Cactus Plus, the nonprofit arm of Milwaukee’s Cactus Club, has opened applications for the second year of its "In the Clouds" artist residency. The program offers three selected artists—one virtual and two in-person—a $1,500 stipend to support their practice between June 22 and 26, 2026. Designed with a focus on accessibility, the residency specifically prioritizes disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill creators across all artistic mediums, requiring a community event and an artist talk rather than the production of new physical work.
This initiative represents a significant shift in the residency model by paying artists a stipend instead of charging fees, reflecting a broader movement toward equitable labor practices in the arts. By integrating the residency into the Cactus Club’s Accessibility Initiative, the program highlights how grassroots venues are evolving into inclusive community hubs. The project’s emphasis on dismantling physical and financial barriers serves as a localized case study for institutional liberation and intersectional support within the regional Wisconsin arts ecosystem.