Have you ever wanted to go on an artist residency? In this blog post, you will learn about different artist residencies. You will learn about what are the benefits for applying and attending different artist residencies. Artist residencies are happening all around the world, and they are a very fun and exciting opportunity for artists. So if you are an artist, and you are curious about what an artist residency is and you want to learn more about different artist residencies click on this blog post and keep reading!
Artist Residencies
What Is an Artist Residency?
A structured time and space for artists to focus on their creative work
Usually takes place away from the artist's usual environment
Can last from a few days to several months
May be hosted by art centres, universities, museums, foundations, or independent programs
Benefits of Attending an Artist Residency
Dedicated time and space to focus on your art without distractions
It's really important to have dedicated space and time to work as an artist. Artists who attend artist residencies are more productive because they have less distractions from their everyday life. They're not distracted by friends and family or a part-time job, pets, or any household responsibilities.
Usually at an artist residency other parts might be included like your meals are made for you, dishes are washed. Sometimes this isn't the case, but just having a break from household chores, to allow you to work on your art, and have more time for art production is a highly valuable experience.
When I went to my artist residencies, I went to the Women's Studio Workshop, as well as the Vermont Studio Center. I went to them around the time that I was doing my Master of Fine Arts, so I was busy preparing artwork for my end of MFA exhibition, and I had a lot of hard work that I was wanting to produce. I used this time at the artist residency to really focus and be able to create as much art as possible with limited distractions.
New inspiration from a different location, environment, or culture
My artwork deals with the theme of place, so it is really helpful for me as an artist to attend an artist residency, because I can be inspired by a new place and new surroundings. When I am attending an artist residency, I like to spend a lot of time outdoors in nature, since that's where I draw a lot of inspiration from. Attending an artist residency in a new place, can be a really good idea. If you are stuck and feeling uninspired, particularly if your artwork deals with a theme related to the location of your artist residency. Artist residencies are happening all around the world.
Connections and networking with other artists, curators, and professionals
I have made different friends and networked with other artists. I’ve built relationships with people that I have met at artist residencies that I have attended. During artist residencies, you might meet connections that could lead to future opportunities like art exhibitions, artist talks, etc.
Being an artist it is important to network and have connections because it is easier for you to grow and people to know and experience your artwork. During an artist residency, I have also been able to sell my artwork because I have met people who have been interested in purchasing my art while I was there.
Access to resources (e.g. studios, equipment, mentorship, facilities)
A lot of my artwork deals with paper making however, I do not have a full paper making studio so when I attended the Women's Studio Workshop, I applied to that artist residency because they have an amazing paper making studio and I really wanted to be able to use their equipment and facilities.
They also have mentorship and they have a studio technician who is able to help you in the studio and teach you how to use the equipment giving you training to be able to complete their projects. This was very valuable for me. If you are wanting to learn a new material and you don't have access to equipment or facilities, then you can try to find an artist residency that is going to fit your needs for the project that you want to complete.
Exhibition or public engagement opportunities
A lot of art residencies include opportunities for you to display your artwork in an exhibition during your stay. This is really important because it gives you more experience as an artist, and it helps you to build your CV and your credibility of having different exhibitions. It can also allow you to have exhibitions in new places around the world.
Professional development—some offer workshops, critiques, or talks
Many artists residencies allow you to give an artist talk to share your artwork and your inspiration. This is a good experience that you can add to your CV, but it also allows you to network and get to know the other artists who are staying at the artist residency, and to help you further make connections.
May support grant applications or CV building
When you are an established artist who is just starting out attending an artist residency, it is especially helpful to allow you to build your CV. It shows people when you're applying to grants or exhibitions that you take your artist career seriously, and that you are willing to invest in yourself and apply yourself to have that dedicated work time to produce artwork.
Some residencies offer stipends or funding
Not every artist residency gives full funding, but you can apply to different grants to help cover the cost of attending an artist residency, and some artist residencies offer, stipends or awards to help cover the cost, which is really nice because that is a con of attending the artist residency is the financial burden for artists.
Challenges of Attending a Residency
Time away from home, family, or paid work
Cost—some residencies have fees, travel costs, or materials expenses
May be competitive to apply
Pressure to produce or network (can be emotionally or socially draining)
Living in a shared space or unfamiliar location may be challenging
Not all residencies are well-organized or supportive
Types of Artist Residencies
There are many different types of artist residency, and as you are applying and looking for applications for artist residency as you will see that they are all so different. It is helpful to think about. What are your goals for attending the artist residency? Why do you want to go there just to ensure that that particular artist residency is a good fit for you.
Here are some types of artist residencies:
Having a clear theme like artists that work with nature
Having certain types of artwork -like residencies for ceramicists or paper makers
General artist residencies for anyone
Artist residencies that are more educational like giving critiques or workshops for you to attend
More self-directed residencies
Large artist residencies with lots of people and quiet ones with only a few people
Community engagement like teaching art at a local school or running workshops for people living nearby
Online residencies where you can create work virtually and have check-ins online
As you can see, there are many different types of artist residencies, and it's really important to understand why you want to attend the artist residency, and what you are hoping to get out of the experience when the artist residency is complete. Once you understand that you will be able to determine which artist residencies you should apply for and which ones are not worth your time.
Another consideration to think about is your budget while it is nice to receive a grant or a step, and or some kind of award for an artist residency. You might not receive any financial support for your application so you want to consider your budget of how much you want to spend on your artist residency, if you were to not receive any financial support.
It's also good to research different artist grants that you can apply for that can help cover the cost of attending an artist residency so that you can better support your budget and your financial goals as an artist.
Where to Apply for Artist Residencies
Residencies in Canada:
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Alberta)
Artscape Gibraltar Point (Toronto)
The Rooms (Newfoundland)
KIAC Residency (Dawson City, Yukon)
Conclusion:
I hope you have a better understanding of what an artist residency is. If you have any questions about artist residencies, please leave them below in the comments, and I will be happy to answer them.
To learn more about the Vermont Studio Center and Women’s Studio Workshop click on the links to take you to their websites.
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