Organizing an Artist Residency Program
Thinking about starting an artist residency? We’ve gathered some tips and considerations for planning and putting together a program.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to organizing a residency. You might already be part of an organization that would like to offer an artist residency within an existing structure, for example. Or, maybe you’re an artist or collective looking to launch an artist-run program of your own.
While the format and purpose of residencies may vary, there are some general considerations to keep in mind. Here’s a look at some of the ins and outs of organizing an artist residency program.
Image from Azka Rayhansyah
Define your aims
Why are you starting a residency? What is your motivation?
In other words, define your residency’s purpose. What do you want to offer artists, and how do you see your role or impact in the art ecosystem, whether within the local environment or on a broader scale?
Residencies can take many forms, from project-, theme- or discipline-specific to self-guided retreat, and can last from one week to a couple of years. You should have an idea of what it is you would like to offer or achieve, and how. Think about how you can create a valuable opportunity. Defining your aims will help provide you with a good foundation to begin to plan your program – allowing you to focus your efforts in the planning stages.
To begin to define your scope and aims, think about the following:
Image from Joanna Kosinska
Who?
You might have a specific focus in terms of the artists you host — for example, will the residency be open to artists internationally, will it be an exchange program with an organization in a specific place, or will it focus on regional or local artists?
You might also consider supporting artists at a particular stage in their career – emerging, mid-career, established, or a combination – or from a specific background. Perhaps there is also a specific focus in terms of discipline. Or maybe you are interested in engaging interdisciplinary exchange or facilitating transdisciplinary connections and experimentation.
And think about how many artists you will host per residency period, or per year. This is not only a practical concern, but will also be relevant if your aim is to encourage collaboration between artists during the program.
In short, know which artists, and from where, you are trying to reach and determine how you can best support them.
What?
What resources do you have at your disposal? Your program aims and focus should correspond to what you are able to offer residents.
What form will the program take and in what ways will it support artists? Will you support artists in the completion of a new project during their residency? Will there be an exhibition, and/or a program of public events? Will you give them access to materials or resources so they can carry out research? Or will you focus on providing time and space, as more of a sabbatical or self-guided approach?
If you are offering an online residency, think about the different ways you can offer valuable resources for artists: whether through funding, project support, exchange with peers, audiences and other professionals in the field, providing a platform, organizing workshops, offering presentation opportunities, etc.
Where?
Again, the location and the facilities you are offering (e.g.; rural or urban, community-based or private) should align with the intentions and purpose of your program.
Maybe you already have a space of your own. If you don’t, you might consider partnering with other organizations. This can be a good way to gain access to space, or to extend the scope of what you are able to offer artists. Alternatively, maybe you are interested in offering an online residency.
If it’s a physical residency, will it include a studio/workspace (private or shared)? Is there accommodation? Are there specialized workshops and equipment that artists will have access to? Is there an exhibition space? If there are multiple residents at a time, will there be communal spaces available?
Also consider the local community / context in which your residency will take place and what role the program might play in it. You might think about how your residency can support and benefit the community at large. Residencies are often about exchange and making connections — for example, between international and local art scenes – so also think about how you can draw on the surroundings and local network to help artists expand their practice and engage new audiences.
When?
Plan in advance. What will the residency’s timeline be: i.e., what will the length of the residency period be, how many residency periods will there be per year, and how flexible will the dates be? Are there certain times of year that are more practical for your organization than others?
Also think about how much time the application cycle will require, making sure to leave reasonable time for applicants to submit. How far in advance should an open call be published? How long will it remain open? And approximately how long will the assessment and selection process take? Once a selection is made and artists are notified, how soon after will their residency begin? Be aware that artists may need time to plan and make arrangements before starting a residency program, so you should make sure to allow enough time between notifying successful applicants and the start of the program.
Images from Laura Adai
Conditions & considerations
How will your program reach its aims? What resources do you have or do you need in order to do so? And how will you arrange them? Here’s a more detailed look at some of the conditions and considerations that might go into realizing your residency.
Organizational structure
Some examples of organizational structures include non-profit, foundation, for-profit, artist-run association, collective, etc. Of course, there will be varying logistics involved in each, but no matter which type of organization you are running, it is important to clearly define and distribute tasks. There is a lot that can go into planning and organizing a residency program: e.g., administration, marketing, website, facilities management, etc. This also means considering how you can make the residency program sustainable for your organization and the resources available to you – which brings us to the next point.
Financing
Determine your budget and what you need to fulfill your program’s requirements. It is important to be realistic about what you can offer residents. Expenses may include, web maintenance, administration, grant writing, travel, accommodation and/or studio rent and maintenance, artist stipends, meals, supplies and equipment, insurance, or technical support, for example. Additionally, make sure you are clear in all communication – such as open calls – about which costs are covered by your organization, and whether artists are expected to cover any costs themselves, as well as what they are for and the expected amount.
Collaborations and partnerships with other organizations – for example, in the form of an international exchange program – could be a good way to increase funding possibilities and share resources. You might also consider applying for grants – either through local government arts funding schemes or foundations. Or you might otherwise try to arrange private sponsorship. Depending on your location and area of focus, there may be funding initiatives suited to your needs. For example, i-Portunus is an EU mobility scheme that provides funding opportunities for both artists and hosting organizations. And Sustainable Arts Foundation provides financial support to residencies to make their programs more accessible to artists who are parents. If you choose to apply for grants, keep in mind that this is also something that will require time and, ideally, some experience.
Accessibility
Accessibility can refer to many different areas and facets of a residency program – from access to facilities on site, to the organization’s website, or potential barriers to submitting applications. Ultimately, clear communication and transparency is key.
Think carefully about the open call and application process. Is your application procedure, the platform, and the provided information clear and easy to use? Do you offer information and applications in different formats – including screen-readable? Can artists submit their materials in different formats? Do you provide direct contact information so that artists may get in touch with accessibility questions or specific requirements? Are there application fees that may serve to further exclude those who already face greater barriers within the art world?
Of course, access to facilities, accommodation, studios, and the surroundings should also be taken into consideration – both in terms of how you might be able to facilitate access or meet accessibility requirements of guests, as well as how and where to make accessibility information available.
Other barriers to participation to take into consideration might include visas – is your organization able to support artists in the visa application process and how? Also, will artists with children, family members or care responsibilities be able to participate? What is required and in what ways are you able to make your program accessible to them?
As a reference, How Not to Exclude Artist Parents is a guide for residencies and organizations. Rivet also provides a guide to more accessible open calls. And Artist Communities Alliance outlines comprehensive recommendations on accessibility for residencies.
Selection process
Who is responsible for selecting applicants? You might have a rotating panel of guest jurors – including artists and other cultural professionals, for instance – or selections might be made by members of your organization and your partners. Another thing to consider is whether program alumni are invited to apply again, or only after a certain amount of time, for example. This information should be provided in your open call.
Transparency is important in the selection process. Make it clear to potential applicants how selections will be made, by whom, and on which criteria it is based.
Also consider and keep applicants informed about when the selection process will take place, when results are expected and how applicants will be notified of their status. Are you able to provide feedback on applications? In any case, be aware that assessing applications takes time – this should be taken into account in terms of workload for those who are on the selection committee, whether within your organization or when inviting guest jurors.
Image from Patrick Perkins
Expectations
Again, communication is key. That means clearly outlining expectations for both artists and organization, well in advance of the start of the residency. What will the residency provide for artists? What are artists responsible for? How is the relationship between artist and host defined?
It’s a good idea to provide a contract for residents. Additionally, written guidelines, or a handbook, on your organization and program can provide a comprehensive overview of important policies.
Flexibility is also important in order to meet the needs of visiting artists, so make space for discussion. Set expectations of both parties in advance, but also be sure to check in with residents during the residency. And get feedback after it ends – this can be very valuable in evaluating your program’s success in meeting its aims.
Promotion and networking
How will you reach applicants and make connections with potential partner organizations?
Consider how and where you will promote your residency, also keeping in mind the resources, time, and expenses that it may involve.
There are a number of channels and platforms where you can post open calls and list your space, whether locally or internationally: including, e.g, TransArtists, Res Artis, ArtConnect, CuratorSpace, Art Open Calls, and Open Call India, just to name a few.
Connecting with other organizations and residencies can also play an important role in expanding your network and opportunities for collaboration, as well as building a sense of community, sharing knowledge and resources, and creating accountability. Artist Communities Alliance, for example, is an international association of artist residencies, which accepts new members at various levels. Triangle Network is a global network of artists and arts organizations focused on supporting professional development and cultural exchange, including through residencies. And Rethinking Residencies is a working group of artist residencies based in New York, which organizes events and cultivates discourse in the field.
Discover Contemporary Art
ArtConnect is the leading destination to discover emerging contemporary artists worldwide.
Additional editorials you might enjoy
