Artist Residencies in China

A4 Residency Art Center

Chengdu, China

The A4 Residency Art Center, based in Chengdu’s Luxelakes Eco-City, is an interdisciplinary and community-driven residency dedicated to fostering boundary-crossing creative practices. Since its foundation as part of the A4 Art Museum, it has supported artists, scientists, designers, and other thinkers from over 23 countries through deep, localized engagements. A4 emphasizes sustainability, transdisciplinarity, and co-creation with the public and community. The program offers artists studio and accommodation space, round-trip travel, production support, and access to a unique “Super Agent” system—local residents who help artists integrate culturally and socially. Residents are expected to engage with the community through public events, collaborative workshops, and open studios. The residency fosters experimental, interdisciplinary projects that examine the relationships between people, place, and culture. Each session ends with a major public event such as RE-CREATE Art Season or the RE-SALON Residency Forum. A4 is a hub for international creators seeking to blend artistic innovation with social relevance in China’s rapidly evolving urban and ecological context.

ICCI

Shanghai, China

The ICCI ART VALLEY PROGRAM, organized by the USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, offers a residency for international artists and scholars. This program focuses on the integration of “Art plus Technology” and encourages cross-media practice and cultural exchange. The residency includes rent-free accommodation, a stipend, and opportunities for exhibitions and public engagements. The program is open to artists from various disciplines, with a preference for those engaged in interdisciplinary and digital art.

K11 Art Village

Wuhan, China

The K11 Art Village, inaugurated in 2011 in Wuhan, China, is a dynamic platform designed to support and nurture emerging artists. It features seven studios and a 500-square-meter exhibition space dedicated to its artist-in-residence program. The village focuses on cultivating young talent, aiding in their artistic career development through curatorial support, project management, and creative communication guidance. It emphasizes community engagement and encourages interaction and exchange among artists and the local community. Over the past decade, K11 Art Village has established partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Nissan Art Award in Japan, the Royal Academy of Arts in the UK, and the British and French consulates in China. The K11 Art Foundation, founded by Dr. Adrian Cheng in 2010, is a non-profit organization in Hong Kong committed to nurturing emerging Asian artists and promoting contemporary art. The foundation organizes various art projects, including exhibitions, residencies, and educational programs, fostering cross-cultural collaborations with global art and cultural institutions. These collaborations have included partnerships with renowned entities like the Royal Academy of Arts, Serpentine Galleries, Centre Pompidou, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and MoMA, among others. The foundation's efforts significantly contribute to expanding creative horizons and strengthening ties within the art community.

Sixi Museum

Nanjing, China

The Sixi Museum in Nanjing, China, offers the Sixi International Artist-in-Residence Project, a program designed to support emerging artists from diverse disciplines. The residency fosters cross-cultural exchange, creative breakthroughs, and personal growth by providing living accommodations, a dedicated studio space, and financial and logistical assistance. Participants stay in a city-center apartment and work in a loft studio on the outskirts of Nanjing, benefiting from technical resources and connections with the local art scene. The residency concludes with an exhibition showcasing the artists’ outcomes. Nanjing, a city known for its fusion of traditional and contemporary culture, provides a rich backdrop for creative exploration. The residency aims to contribute to Nanjing’s vibrant art ecology and international cultural exchanges, supporting the development of contemporary art in China.

Swatch Art Peace Hotel

Shanghai, China

The Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist residency in Shanghai is a unique cultural initiative that combines artistic creation with the vibrant energy of the city. Established by Chema Alvargonzalez and supported by Memoria Artística Chema Alvargonzalez, it focuses on creative exchange among international artists. The residency is situated in a historic modernist-style building, fostering an inspiring environment for artists. The program invites a diverse range of contemporary artists, including dancers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, and writers, to live and work in the heart of Shanghai. During their stay, artists contribute an artistic "trace," enriching the residency's legacy. The Swatch Art Peace Hotel embraces artistic freedom and encourages artists to explore new ideas and collaborations. This residency is known for its strong connection to the global art scene and its commitment to supporting artistic development in a dynamic urban setting.

WilderHaven

Chengdu, China

WilderHaven is an artist-founded initiative based in Southwest China that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary creation in deeply immersive rural settings. Founded in 2024, it offers artist and writer residencies in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, engaging directly with the region’s diverse landscapes and minority cultures. The residency supports visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and designers through flexible programs designed to bridge global practices with local traditions. With small cohorts and a balance of solitude and community, WilderHaven emphasizes experimentation, collaboration, and critical inquiry. Participants have access to studios, cultural excursions, and local engagement opportunities with ethnic Yi and Lisú communities. Group and pop-up exhibitions offer residents ways to showcase work locally and in major Chinese cities. Family-friendly accommodations, bilingual support, and curated events make it accessible to a broad range of creatives. The program is primarily self-funded but offers merit-based stipends to reduce participation costs for selected artists.