What is an Artist Residency and How to Stay at one?
Apply to stay at an artist residency. Travel to your dream destination and spend a few weeks creating art while experiencing the local art scene and culture. Keep reading to learn more.
What is an Artist Residency?
An artist residency (also called an artist-in-residence program) is an artistic program where organizations host artists. Artists are provided with a place to stay and resources to support their art.
The period of time for staying in these residency programs varies. A common length is 4-6 weeks. Locations are in urban areas or more rural areas. Artist residencies are located all over the world.
Why choose an Artist Residency?
Artists have the opportunity to explore their creativity in a new unique location. Artist residencies are located all over the world and offer artists a way to be inspired by new sights and cultures. Imagine living in your dream destination experiencing all the art that city has to offer. The inspiration you will experience during that time will be incredible. Then work with a program to create special art during your period of residency.
Depending on the organization, it can boost your reputation as an artist and lead to better work opportunities. This can mean having your work featured in exclusive galleries and shows. It can also mean booking your dream client who commissions your artwork.
What is the cost to stay at an Artist Residency?
Some programs are completely funded, and the artist is not required to pay any fees. Other programs require the artist to pay fees and/or their room and board. Some offer scholarships and sponsorships.
There is also an application process. Many applications include an application fee. Think about the cost to travel to the location as well.
Artist Residency Resources
Res Artis
Res Artis is a network of art residencies that links you to art residencies all over the globe. They have been in business for 30 years and include a network of artist residencies in 80 countries. Members are connected to these residencies and provided tools to help them on their artistic journey. Res Artis is based in Australia.
Use their website to find locations where artist residencies are located. Then apply filters to narrow your search by program requirements. Programs may cater to a specific artform. Find a location that matches the art you do in a location you are interested in traveling to.
Artist Communities Alliance
Artist Communities Alliance (ACA for short) is an international association of artist residencies. ACA supports the artists, the organizations that provide the residency programs and everyone else included in the artist residency field. Artists and the organizations they collaborate with, are at the core of what they do. They have also been around for 30 years. In addition to connecting artists with artist residencies, they provide grants to fund these programs.
Similar to Res Artis, the Artist Communities Alliance allows you to use filters to narrow your search for a residency program that fits your needs.
An example of a current artist residency program in Connecticut is the Weir Farm Artist-In-Residence Program. It includes artists practicing the following artforms: drawing, mixed media, painting, printmaking, sculpture, visual arts, textile & fiber arts/weaving and photography. The program is available to artists based anywhere in the world.
Have you heard about artist residency programs before? Does it seem like something you would be interested in? I’m interested to find out. Let me know in the comments.