How to Find an Artist Residency Perfect for You
What’s the big deal about residencies?
My personal experience with artist residencies sparked long term inspiration from the new environments, creative people, and opportunity to experiment with different techniques. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to places like Canada, Alaska, and Maine for unique, invigorating opportunities. Highly recommend!
People have been asking me for help in finding a residency so I wanted to write a post that could be useful.
My artist residency experiences
Art Ayatana - Canada
Digital Fabrication Residency - online
Voices of the Wilderness - Alaska
StudioWorks - Maine
I traveled to Canada in February one year. Our group of artists explored an ice cave in Quebec.
What is an artist residency?
An artist residency (or artist-in-residence) gives an artist a change of scenery to seek inspiration, reflect, research, and make work.
The length of residency typically ranges widely from one week to one year.
In general, the one constant of residencies is that they provide housing of some kind. However, for every rule there are exceptions! Some only cater to local artists who can commute to the site for the residency.
Also, it’s common to do online residencies too. This is a great option to connect with other creatives when traveling is not in the cards.
Who can apply?
Anyone with a creative bone in their body :) From poets to sculptors, and everything in between, there is an artist residency out there for you. Some have specific calls for BIPOC folks or parents or another specific group.
Color studies from items I collected in the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness in Alaska
What options exist?
There are lots of variables! Are you looking for action and adventure? Quiet solitude? To connect with other creatives? Will you bring a car or need public transit? What length of time do you want to spend? Are you finishing a specific project or seeking more open ended inspiration?
Be honest about what would serve you best in order to find one that is a great fit.
Some residencies require the artist to make something for their collection. Others require a community event such as a workshop, artist talk, etc.
The most common kind of residency requires you to pay a fee. This is the one you’ll probably start out with as you build your CV. The residencies that offer a stipend are typically the most competitive. So, as a newbie, finding one that will be less competitive will help get the ball rolling.
Funding options
State art agencies/art councils often have funding available for artists. You normally have to show your acceptance to a program and outline the cost of travel, etc. So in order to submit all the documentation needed, you’d have to start the process well in advance so that all the deadlines work together.
For example, Ohio Arts Council has a grant called:
Artist Opportunities
Professional Development and Project Support for Individual Artists
The Artist Opportunities grant supports Ohio artists who have opportunities that will significantly impact their professional growth or have projects that will contribute to the vitality of their community. This grant is open to artists of all disciplines, at any stage of their career, and includes all types of artistic practice.
Application Deadline
May 1 annually (for up to 12 months of activities taking place July 1—next June 30) at 5 p.m.
For me, I paid for a few residencies back in 2014. Last year I did one that was free. This year I’m doing one where I get paid a stipend. It’s a stepping stone kind of thing. Having solid references is key too, I’ve found. I wrote about my experience in Alaska here and here.
Adventures in dogsledding
Scoping out the Options
I use search engines for residencies where you can filter for different types of equipment, cost/stipend, location, etc.
https://www.callforentry.org/ Once you sign up as an artist, you can filter to find residencies.
https://resartis.org/ This site is best for worldwide opportunities.
https://www.publicartist.org/artist/calls.cfm Sign up for a free account and get searching!
https://artistcommunities.org/ https://artistcommunities.org/directory This site is mostly for US-based residencies.
Timeline
I generally do a deep dive every 6ish months to see what is out there, what is a good fit for me and my schedule. There are often application fees, so I limit myself to only a couple at a time that really feel like the best fit.
Typically, an application will include a portfolio, statement of intent, resume/CV, and references.
Plan about 3-12 months in advance. Deadlines vary, but more established programs tend to have a longer window.
If you subscribe to residency organizations, you will usually be the first to hear when applications open.
Good luck with your search!
Snowshoe Snowflake inspired by my residency in Canada
Bear Island inspired by my residency in Alaska
Takeaways
Artist residencies are a great resource. They are like snowflakes…no two alike! If you feel yourself called to residency, take time to explore why. Is it the prestige? A change of scenery?
My experience with residencies may seem similar to vacations. And seeing a new beautiful place was definitely part of the appeal; however, I see big leaps forward in my portfolio following each residency. When compared to a solo vacation where I took a million pictures, there isn’t a direct link to benefiting my artistic practice.
Framing the experience as an artist residency sets the tone for how I spend my time and what I ponder.
Often, the strangers that felt called to the same place end up having a big influence on me. I learn a lot and feel very nurtured in mind, body, and spirit.
If you have an opportunity to experience an artist residency, I highly recommend it!
