Residencies are temporary periods of time for an artist to work on a project or develop new ideas. They are time out of your usual work to develop new art and ideas.
Artists often use them to explore their work outside of their usual context. They might include a studio or access to special equipment. They often come with mentoring or other career development opportunities. Some residencies are quite prestigious, with only a few artists taking part each year. Having experience on particular residencies can improve your professional reputation.
It’s important to make the most of any residency. They can be hard to get, sometimes expensive, and can be disruptive. Artists with caring responsibilities or a regular job can find it hard to take time away from their day-to-day lives. There are a lot of different types of residencies and they offer different kinds of experiences.
Types of residency
There are many different types of residency. Apply for residencies that match your work and family commitments, the facilities you need, and accommodation offered. The best ones include a studio, accommodation, and an artist fee. There are very few of these, and they are highly competitive.
Think about the the environment you like working in, or want to try out. Do you work best in a countryside or urban setting, for example? Or perhaps you prefer to work outside, and need reliably good weather? You may prefer solitude and self-sufficiency or perhaps you work best within a large group in a busy, structured environment.
Some residencies include trips, group crits and visiting speakers in a programme of events. Others may be more remote and isolated. Many include a few other artists, allowing for both time alone and critical discourse.
Some residencies include artists working in orther art forms. Composers, writers and choreographers might work alongside artists and poets. Think about who would you like to spend time with during your residency.
Most residencies are listed on resartis, TransArtists and re-title. Join their mailing lists to find out when residencies are available.
Some of the main types of residency are:
Studio residency
The most commonly expected type of residency, providing a studio space to develop new work. Some provide a shared studio so they can provide mutual critical and practical support. Often a residency expects the artist to pay some or all of the rent on the studio. Separate accommodation might be provided, and again may need to be paid for. Studio residencies might also require you to give education or community workshops, or need you to teach. Check the terms of the residency carefully before applying.
You can hear artist Lisa Castagner talk about her experience of the 2014 Artquest / M4Gastatlier Going Dutch residency with Dr Catherine Grant, below.
Research residency
These residencies give artists access to specialist materials, expertise or knowledge, such as an archive, collection, or curators. A research residency often encourages new ideas rather than making artwork. It might not include a studio.
Listen below to the Wellcome Collection curator Kate Forde and artist Felicity Powell (1961-2015) talk about approaches for artists engaging with collections.
Artist-in-residence
Some organisations not connected to the arts have artist-in-residence programmes. They might be in an organisation that values the different perspectives that artists bring to their work. Businesses, schools, and museums, might all run residencies like these. These are often like research residencies, but sometimes include specialist facilities or ask the artist to engage with the work of the organisation. They might also provide a fee.
In the audio below, artists Richard Layzell and Lucy Cash talk about being an artist-in-residence.
DIY Residencies
DIY, or self-organised residencies are when an artist initiated and organises a residency for themselves. Read our new resources and cases studies on DIY residencies.
Finding out about the residency
Residencies are very varied and there is no particular list of facilities they provide. Ask the residency organisation questions about what is provided and if you have to pay for anything.
Ask about:
- Does the residency include a studio and accommodation? Not all residencies do.
- If accommodation is provided, can family members or friends come and stay for short periods?
- Make sure any access requirements that you have are in place – lift or level access, accessible toilets, how close public transport is, and anything else you need.
- Ask for images of the spaces in which you will live and work. Ask for a floor plan.
- Check that there are basics facilities like: running water, electricity, heating or air conditioning, lighting or a desk suitable for your needs.
- When can you access the studio? Can you work at the weekends and in the evening?
- Ask about any special technical support or facilities that you need. Ask also if there is a technician who can help you.
- What kind of other support is available? Do they offer pastoral support for artists struggling with their wellbeing or mental health while away?
- Is there internet, and how is it accessed?
- What charges are made for using special facilities, internet, or covering utility bills?
Search online to find out how long the programme has been running. If possible, find out who had taken part in the past and contact them to find out about their experience. Search also for any news about the reputation of the residency and its staff.
Residencies that include accommodation will be your home for the time you are there. You must feel safe, comfortable and able to work in the space. Ask about accommodation security and if your equipment or materials are protected.
Funding a residency
Few artists can afford to take time off work for a residency without getting funding, or saving in advance. It’s useful to ask the residency provider:
- Are you expected to pay a fee to be involved?
- Will you be paid a fee to take part?
- Do you get a daily allowance while on residency?
- Do they have cheap SIM cards for mobile phones that you can use, or help you to get one?
- Are meals or food provided, and are the studios / accommodation cleaned?
- Are materials or a materials budget provided?
- Ask if your travel costs to get to the residency are included. If you need to, ask how you can take a break to return home to visit family.
- Make sure insurance is in place both for your safety and the security of your work.
Residencies might be for-profit or not-for-profit. It’s not unusual for the provider to ask for a fee to cover rent, studios, materials or travel.
Some residencies ask for an artwork to be donated at the end. Others ask you to have an open studio, give a presentation about your work, or do some teaching. Be very clear about what is expected of you and consider carefully if you are still interested.
Public funding for residencies can be very hard to get, given how many artists apply, particularly in London. Applications to Arts Council England Project Grants are possible including their Developing your Creative Practice (DYCP) award. DYCP supports travel and international working, but receives a lot of applications for very few grants. Apply well in advance and plan other options in case you are not successful. Some countries might have funding for artists in the country to which you are travelling. Ask the residency provider for any help or contacts.
All residencies should offer a contract or agreement that tells you what is being offered. If they don’t, write an email to them with all the conditions you expect from the information they have provided. Ask them to confirm this email is correct. Agree on payment terms for fees or grants before you leave, including for any deposit you are asked to pay on studio or accommodation. It’s better to have agreements in writing, especially if you are working outside of the UK. Ask them if the contract is covered by UK or local laws. If something goes wrong, it will affect how you are compensated.
If accommodation is provided they may take an inventory or condition report. Make sure you have checked the accommodation yourself before you sign.
Where you are asked to pay for a residency, be clear about what you are getting out of the opportunity before handing over money. There is no official register or definition of an artist residency, and conditions vary widely.
Local knowledge
If you are going somewhere you are not familiar with, do some research into the country before you apply for a residency.
If the residency does not include accommodation, ask the residency provider if there are local artists you can stay with. You can also use networking tools like Artquest Exchange to find artists local to the residency to ask about the local art scene. Building your networks during a residency can help with your career development and bring more opportunities.
- Find out about public transport, both local and national. Perhaps the residency can provide a car to explore the region.
- Check the cost of living and recent currency exchange rates to help budget what money you need while away. A grant might seem reasonable for the UK, but in Japan may not go very far.
- What cultural attitudes and differences you should be aware of? LGBTQ+ rights and women’s safety in particular are variable around the world. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office lists travel safety advice for countries around the world.
- Research public health provision and get adequate medical and travel insurance. If you are travelling with expensive equipment, check your insurance cover.
- Let your bank know if you are going to be abroad. Confirm that you can use debit or credit cards while you are away.
- Find out if you need a visa, including for work in Europe, and ask for advice from the residency provider about this. Check visiting and working regulations for the country you are visiting.
Making the most of your residency
Take some time to look at what else is going on near your residency. Search for exhibitions and festivals near where you will be staying. Being prepared means that, even if the residency doesn’t live up to your expectations, it won’t be wasted.
Arrange transport to the residency well in advance to save money, once the residency is confirmed.
Contact galleries and curators and ask to meet them while you are on the residency. Some may be interested in studio visits which provide feedback on your work or make good links for exhibitions.
Depending on the type of residency you might be able to get some work while you are there. Research what the residency offers and suggest leading a workshop, mentoring, or teaching. This can also help to earn money or make useful contacts while you’re there.
After the residency
Personal and professional relationships made during a residency are valuable. Keep in touch with key people you have met to gain friendships and new opportunities.
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