A FEW REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ARTIST RESIDENCY
- Dedicated time to work on your art without the daily pressures of home
- Getting access to spaces or materials typically out of reach (bindery, darkroom, studio, etc.)
- Working within a creative community to exchange inspiration/conversation/connections
- To gain recognition in the art community
- To experience new environments that, in turn, influence new work
Your own motivation will help narrow down the types of residencies to seek out. For instance, do you work better on your own or in group environments? Do you just need some time away from home or are you more interested in the status of achieving recognition for your work? Will a week suffice or are you looking for a more immersive experience over the course of a few months? Is cultural exchange something that speaks to the themes of your art? Or are you looking for a laid back adventure framed by creativity?
There are no right or wrong answers here. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself and set clear goals. This will save you in both entry fees and hours of time applying to residencies that may not be the best fit for your needs. Likewise, having a clear idea of what you hope to gain from the process can also guide you in terms of value.
COMMON PRICING STRUCTURES
- Artist pays all expenses (the easiest residencies to get into)
- Artist gets free access to a studio but finds/pays for their own lodging (typically in institutional settings such as a university or museum)
- Lodging and workspace provided (expenditures such as meals and art supplies may vary)
- Artist receives a stipend in addition to being provided a space to live/work (these are more competitive and typically have more extensive application processes as the stipend increases)
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Are you expected to donate a piece of art at the end of the project for fundraising or archival purposes?
- Can the residency use your work/bio/likeness/statements for their own marketing efforts?
- Will you be required to prepare a lecture or other community outreach events during your residency?
- Do you have to work within a certain theme or make use of specific resources?
- Is there an obligation to add a tagline wherever residency-completed art is shown in the future? (ex: This work has been supported by The X Project/Fund.)
- What social expectations are required (weekly dinner with donors, open studio hours, etc.)?
- What is your role in household or studio chores?
UNIQUE APPROACHES