Artists In Residence information

If you are curious about participating in an artist residency, look into Res Artis. Founded in 1993, Res Artis is The International Association of Residential Arts Centres, based in the Netherlands.  With over 200 members in over 40 countries, it is the largest existing network of artist residency programs.

Main objectives: conferences, face-to-face meetings, maintenance of website and a mentoring program that enables new member organizations to become involved in the program.

Membership is made up of arts centers and organizations that encourage the development of contemporary art and artists through residential artist exchange programs that range from formal, well-funded government organizations to grassroots artist run initiatives.

Membership is divided into four categories and is open to organizations, programs and individuals involved and/or interested in artist residency programs.  You do not need to be a member of Res Artis to apply to the programs of the members. However, if you are interested in membership, following is a description of membership options: 

General Members

• ·      Artist residencies, organizations, artists groups or any other structure directly involved in international residential artist programming.
• ·      Annual fees are based on sliding scale according to budget.

Associate Members

• ·      Programs, foundations or governmental or non-governmental networks that assist residential artists and exchange programs.
• ·      Annual fees are €375 (approximately $500 US dollars)

Individual Members

• ·      Individuals who want to support Res Artis, be informed of its activities, in the process of starting a residential arts program, attend meetings and/or have access to the member’s section of website.
• ·      Annual fees are €75 (approximately $100 US dollars)

Emerging Members

• ·      People starting a res arts program
• ·      Annual fees are €75 (approximately $100 US dollars)

The member's section includes a project partner search, member's news (grants, information, resources, events just for the field of artist residencies) and a member's library including informative links, publications, reports, resources and documentations.

The form a residency takes will vary widely.  In some, artists are involved in the day-to-day operations of their host, giving talks and lectures, presenting workshops or engaging in formal instruction.  Other residencies make no such demands and allow artists to investigate their art practice in the context of a new culture.

The home page has a link “Upcoming Deadlines” which lists over 40 international residence opportunities.  Length of residency stays range from one week to three months.  Some require a minimum of two months.

The fees involved vary.  Many residencies require the artist to pay for all expenses.  Some charge a weekly/monthly rate for housing that may include some/all meals.  Other residencies cover housing and most meals but additional costs  (such as health related expenses) are the responsibility of the visiting artist.  Some cover all housing and meals expenses.  Most residencies will supply letters to the artists to assist them in securing grant funding.  Others will give a monthly stipend but it probably won’t cover all expenses.

Make sure to read the residence opportunities carefully.  I came across one residency that had an age eligibility restrictions.  They only accepted artists between the ages of 24-35 years old.

For more information, please view their website at:    http://www.resartis.org/