Choosing a Residency Program
There are various kinds of art residencies out there, which can make finding the right one for you a difficult task. To guide you on the right path, here is our breakdown of everything you need to know the different types artist residencies and which one is best for you.
Whether you’re looking to produce new work, or you’re interested in accessing a well-stocked library to expand your research, anything is possible at an artist residency! But when it comes to choosing the right program for you, there are a lot of factors to consider based on your own practice and personal needs.
Perhaps you have work or family commitments that aren’t so easy to set aside for months at a time, or maybe your practice requires a lot of specialised equipment. Maybe you need a project-oriented program or something more flexible? Will you need some kind of funding to take the plunge? There’s a lot to consider.
But before you get into the finer details, there are a few basic types of residency programs to know about. Here’s our list of different kinds of residency programs to get you started. It should help narrow down the options for you – a bit.
Studio Residency
This is likely the most common type. It can be a good fit if you’re looking for a place to carry out a new project or simply to extend your current practice in a new environment. As the name suggests, a studio residency provides artists with – you guessed it – a studio space!
Some residencies provide artists with individual studios, like the Berlin-based residencies at the Starke Foundation or Urban Nation. Yet others provide shared studio spaces. It really depends on the program.
Some studio residencies are live-work spaces, while others only provide a place to work. When looking into different studio residencies, take the time to check what exactly is on offer and see if it suits your needs. Ask yourself, how much space do I need? What material resources are available? Do I also need accommodation?
Virtual Residency
A residency program doesn’t necessarily have to involve a physical place. Changing ideas about space in the digital age have also shaped the format of residencies. And so, the virtual residency was born!
This type of residency takes place completely online. Because of this, not only the art, but the artistic process and discussion become accessible globally. You might think that if you’re not a digital artist, then a web residency might not be for you. Though they may be geared towards artists working with digital media, it is not always the case.
Web residencies provide a platform for more open exchange, where a wider audience has immediate access to an artist’s work.
For example, BONFIRE is a web residency focused on process and exchange. Artist’s do their own research and are encouraged to experiment. The idea is to make the process transparent and engage discussion. The content and form of the artistic research is up to the artist.
But, if you are an artist working with digital technologies looking for a program suited to your work, then you could consider something like Akademie Schloss Solitude which supports artists, designers, hackers and researchers who use digital space through their Web Residencies program.
In any case, virtual residencies provide an excellent platform for exchange as in lieu of physical space, a stronger emphasis on discussion emerges. So, even if you’re not a digital artist, a web residency might be something to consider if you want to deepen your practice through dialogue — especially if travel and/or spending time away from home are not an option.
Research Residency
These residencies offer opportunities for artistic research. Since they’re more about developing ideas than producing a finished work, keep in mind that a studio might not be provided.
However, you will likely be given access to certain archives, facilities, experts and/or resources. Some institutions may be more open to different research areas and topics. Though, in many cases, artists are expected to engage with the institution’s collections, site or surroundings.
A research residency might take the form of a university fellowship. There are programs like the Columbia Institute of Ideas and Imagination, which cover a broad scope of different fields and areas of interest. While a research opportunity at the Wellcome Collection, for instance, might invite artists to explore and respond to a particular area of its collection.
Maybe you need access to more varied resources and institutional support to finally carry out that research project you’ve been planning or maybe a particular institution or collection speaks to your interests and you’d like to do some digging. In either case, consider a research residency.
Embedded Residency
Artist residencies are not limited to museums, galleries, or cultural institutions. Embedded residencies take place within cross-sector environments, where organisations invite artists to work on site in contexts such as law firms, hospitals, government departments, corporations, and public infrastructure.
Did you know there could even be an art residency in an airport? Since 2015, Brisbane Airport has hosted artists-in-residence. Local artists have been invited to perform or produce projects within the airport, interacting with the setting and the people who pass through. And similar residencies exist in other airports, too.
So an artist-in-residence program could be a great way to experience an alternative site. It could get you out of the art bubble and lead to broader exposure, new perspectives and possibilities for exchange.
How to Decide Which Residency Is Right for You
Now you know what is available, the next question is what is suitable for you? To help you assess your needs, we recommend asking yourself the following questions:
Clarify Your Goal
Do you need uninterrupted production time?
Are you developing a new body of work?
Do you want external critical dialogue or are you self-directed?
What do you want to get out of a program?
Consider Community vs. Autonomy
Do you thrive in isolation or collaboration?
Do you want studio visits and mentorship?
Are public presentations important to you?
Assess Your Resources
Can you afford fees or travel?
Do you require funding to make a residency feasible?
How long can you realistically relocate?
It’s a lot to take in, but its always better to know what you’re working with then head into this new adventure blind. With all this in mind, now's the perfect time to see what’s out there and to find the perfect residency for you!
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