New Scenery, New Noise

Do you need to refresh your painterly palette, or the whim of your creative process?  Consider doing an Artist Residency!

A while back, I attended a gathering on this topic at the Hamlitonian Gallery, a small up-and-coming gallery located along the U Street Corridor in Washington, DC.  It was a panel discussion which included a representative from the Vermont Studio Centers, and two artists who offered insights from their many resident experiences.  I have also researched the topic quite extensively, and have compiled my learnings.

Depending on the type of residency, an artist can apply to attend for periods of two weeks up until two years!  It's a vast spectrum and each residency offers a unique opportunity to engage, deepen and ignite one's creative process. While residencies are extremely competitive, there are many exciting options for people at any point in their career, age-level and expertise. 

Things to consider

- Ask yourself why you want to do a residency: Is it because you want to focus entirely on your work for a period of time and not worry about groceries, letting the dog out or commuting to the next meeting on the calendar?  Is it because you feel that you would get something out of it that you wouldn't otherwise?  Are you at a point where you want to invest in your work and explore a new concept or medium?  Give a sense that you are moving forward, planning ahead and taking the next step.

-Consider locations for a residency: Are you inspired by the landscapes of Vermont and New Hampshire, or would you rather take off to India?  It is also important to think about how you work best.  Some residencies have communal living and shared studio spaces, while others have separate rooms for guests and private studios.  If you have a spouse or family, some residencies will support your family throughout your stay.

-Find out who will be there:  Does the residency that you reeeeally want to be accepted to have a panel of reputable, talented and experienced artists to be by your side?  Do some asking and look at other artists who are scheduled to be there.  If you are a painter, there may be a handful of other painters who would provide meaningful feedback and critique; perhaps there will be composers, poets, writers and photographers to collaborate with.  What sets your creative energies abuzz?   For example, perhaps the perspective of a musician on your drawings would be quite unique!  If this interests you, Vermont Studio Center has their entire year scheduled with artists.  

-Images: It's all about the images in your application.  Be thorough and thoughtful.  High resolution images that really showcase your work are critical.  You may want to put a specific focus on selecting works that demonstrate a body of work or string of thought between works.

-Dollars and sense:  Aha, this one will bring you right to reality, but rest assured, residencies understand that artists need to make a living!  Many places offer stipends to pay for materials during your residency, some even cover food and housing expenses.  That's right, you don't even have to cook!  As you search, you will find scholarships to help you along your way.

Click on the links below for places to consider:

    Happy Searching, I would love to hear what you find!