How To Pick An Art Residency

 

How To Pick An Art Residency

Art residencies are fantastic opportunities for artists to focus on their work, develop their craft, network, and sometimes even experience new cultures.

Picture this: Nestled amid ancient groves, the rustic studio you work in overlooks a serene, cobalt lake. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, the air fragrant with linseed oil and old books. The rich history of artists who came before you charges the atmosphere in the studio. In this haven, time seems to slow, allowing you to dive deep into the reservoirs of your creativity, away from the clamor of the world. Every brushstroke, every hue chosen is a testament to this uninterrupted communion with your art, making the residency not just a place but a sacred ritual of creation.

An art residency is a balance of peace and intensity. A pressure cooker of creativity and exploration. Whether it’s lead by a teacher you admire or is a self led group of artists, a residency can change your art work for the better.

In a few weeks I’m going to an art residency in the heart of France, Chateau D’Orquevaux. I’ll be there for a month and I’m brimming with excitement. It will be my third art residency, my first as an abstract oil painter. If you are interested in how that experience is, worry not, I’ll be making several podcast episodes about it!

Today I’m going to teach you how to find and get into an art residency.

Before we begin, let’s learn about Residency Types: Some of these are free to the artist, some require a partial payment, some the artist must fully pay for. Some of these are combined.

  • A residency that provides an art studio

  • A residency that provides a studio and housing

  • A residency that provides a studio, room, and board

  • A residency that is self lead

  • A residency that is taught by a mentor

  • A residency that provides all materials for the artist own creativity

  • A residency that provides all materials for a specific project chosen by the residency

  • A residency that has a show at the end featuring you the artist or a group of residents.

1. Determine Your Goals: First we have to answer some questions to determine what kind of art residency would suit you and your work. Get specific in your answers as this will dramatically dictate what kind of art residency you will chose from.

  • What kind of art to do you make? Painting, sculpting, writing, fresco, etc.

  • Do you want to immerse yourself in a completely different culture?

  • Are you looking for solitude or a bustling artist community?

  • Do you want mentorship or do you prefer independence?

2. Find a Location: There are incredible residencies all over the world. Think about climates, cultures, and landscapes you're interested in.

  • Do you want to be in a place that’s close to home?

  • Do you want to travel somewhere new?

  • What languages do you speak? There are many residencies in English but if you speak any other language the possibilities greatly expand.

  • Does the climate effect your artwork?

  • Are you looking for a place with historical significance to your medium or something more contemporary?

3. Duration: Residencies can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Determine what works best for your schedule and life style.

  • How long can you take off of work, if you have other jobs than being an artist?

  • If the residency you found is 2 weeks, are their other places nearby that you would want to visit? Allocate time for such explorations.

  • How long would it take for you to immerse yourself in a new location?

4. Application Process: Each residency will have its application process. Typically, they'll require a portfolio, artist statement, CV, and sometimes letters of recommendation. Some residencies are highly competitive, so make sure your application materials are top-notch and your website is updated!

5. Financials: Some residencies are free, some provide stipends, and others charge fees.

  • What is your budget?

  • If you need to save up money, how long will it be before you have enough to fund a residency?

  • There will be another episode coming soon about financing your art residency. Stay tuned!

6. Facilities:

  • Will you need a studio or will you work plein air?

  • How easy is it to get art materials to the residency?

7. Community vs. Solitude:

  • Do you want a bustling community or more of a retreat setting?

  • Are you looking to learn something specific under an instructor?

  • How many other artists would you want to interact with? 5? 10? 20? More?

  • Will you want to bring a non artist with you? A service animal?

8. Networking: Once you have picked out a few residencies that seem interesting to you. I highly recommend reaching out to past residency alumni, ask about their experiences, and see if it aligns with what you're looking for.

Remember to consider factors like the political stability and safety of the region, language barriers (if any), and the cultural nuances of the place. This ensures a productive and enjoyable residency experience.

Where to look:

There are several databases of Art residencies out there. Some free, some paid to access. Not all are always up to date, if you see a residency you like, make sure to visit it’s website to ensure it’s still active. Most of the residencies you see in the databases will have paid to have their opportunity listed.

Artwork Archive: Particularly their Instagram Page is an excellent resource for artist opportunities and residencies. https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/7-artist-residencies-with-career-launching-power

Transartists: An excellent global database that’s free to use. https://www.transartists.org/en

Artenda: Has a 30 day free trial and then a monthly cost. Global residency opportunities. https://artenda.net/

Creative Capital: Primarily United States based artist opportunities, even beyond residencies. Highly recommend signing up for their newsletter. https://creative-capital.org/

Artist Communities: Global directory on art residencies! https://artistcommunities.org/ Easy to use website!

Res Artis: Global directory with excellent search options. https://resartis.org/

Note! Some artist residencies are not on databases like the ones listed above. The first residency that I went to isn’t on these lists. (JSS in Civita if you are interested) Keep in mind that it might be easier to search “residency” and the name of a country you would like to go to instead.

US based Residencies:

The United States boasts a diverse range of art residencies that cater to various disciplines and preferences. Here's a list of notable art residencies within the U.S.:

  • Yaddo (Saratoga Springs, New York): This historic artist retreat hosts artists from all disciplines. The estate has been a sanctuary for creativity since 1900.

  • MacDowell Colony (Peterborough, New Hampshire): One of the oldest and most prestigious artist residencies in the U.S., MacDowell has hosted artists like James Baldwin and Leonard Bernstein.

  • Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture (Skowhegan, Maine): A summer residency program offering a rigorous environment for emerging visual artists.

  • The Djerassi Resident Artists Program (Woodside, California): Set in the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, this program offers uninterrupted time and space for artists.

  • Chinati Foundation (Marfa, Texas): Founded by Donald Judd, this residency is known for its minimalist installations and vast landscapes.

  • Ragdale (Lake Forest, Illinois): Located on a historic prairie estate, Ragdale offers an interdisciplinary residency program for visual artists, writers, and composers.

  • The Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program (Roswell, New Mexico): Provides visual artists with a place to work without the interruptions of everyday life.

  • Vermont Studio Center (Johnson, Vermont): The largest international artists' and writers' residency program in the U.S., offering 4 to 12-week residencies year-round.

  • Anderson Ranch Arts Center (Snowmass Village, Colorado): Known for its workshops, this center also offers a residency program for emerging and established artists.

  • Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts (Omaha, Nebraska): Provides artists with spacious studios and living accommodations in downtown Omaha.

  • Headlands Center for the Arts (Sausalito, California): Situated in a former military fort, it offers multidisciplinary residencies with a focus on the artist's process.

  • Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, Montana): While this is primarily known for ceramic arts, it's worth noting for those interested in the medium.

  • Jentel Artist Residency Program (Banner, Wyoming): Offers a serene environment for visual artists and writers in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains.

  • Wassaic Project (Wassaic, New York): A multidisciplinary arts organization that provides a setting for artists to work and integrate into a tight-knit community.

  • Island Institute (Sitka, Alaska): An interdisciplinary residency that combines arts and sciences, offering a unique environment for artists to work.

A few Europe based residencies:

  • The Cité Internationale des Arts (Paris, France): Located in the heart of Paris, it's one of the most prestigious residencies, welcoming artists from all over the world.

  • The Florence Academy of Art (Florence, Italy): An ideal place for those interested in classical art and Renaissance history.

  • The Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Offers residencies to emerging professional artists from all over the world.

  • Swiss Art Residency Pro Helvetia (Various locations, Switzerland): The Swiss Arts Council offers residency opportunities for artists in various disciplines, including visual arts.

  • Akademie Schloss Solitude (Stuttgart, Germany): An interdisciplinary institution offering a residency program and workspaces for artists across various disciplines.

  • Siena Art Institute (Siena, Italy): Offers a diverse program in a historic Tuscan city.

  • Gasworks (London, UK): Provides international artists with a platform to develop and present their work in London.

  • Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin, Germany): Focuses on the production and presentation of contemporary visual arts.

  • Hangar (Barcelona, Spain): An art production and research center offering support in the form of residencies for artists.

  • I-Park Foundation (East Haddam, Connecticut but has programs in Europe): Offers artist-in-residence programs in various locations, including some European countries.

  • The Nordic Artists' Centre Dale (Dale, Norway): A center for visual arts, offering facilities and spacious studios in a unique coastal landscape.

  • HIAP - Helsinki International Artist Programme (Helsinki, Finland): Offers residencies for professional artists in various stages of their careers.

  • Fondazione Antonio Ratti (Como, Italy): An organization dedicated to cultural, artistic, and educational initiatives.

  • The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (Gateshead, UK): One of the leading international centers for contemporary art, offering emerging artists a platform to develop and present their work.

  • ZK/U - Center for Art and Urbanistics (Berlin, Germany): A multidisciplinary space that incorporates residency programs, emphasizing urban research and societal issues.

I hope these tips have helped you find an art residency that you like! I’m so excited to go on mine and can’t wait to keep you updated on how it goes!

Make good choices~

Host and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and the mindsets that keep it all together. New episodes every Tuesday!

JSS in Civita (Plein Air Painting Residency) https://jssincivita.com

Need some art supplies? Check out Blick!

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Find the list of questions and databases here! http://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork 

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