Craft Residencies

AiR Green

Noresund, Norway

AiR Green offers a specialized residency program tailored for artists working with textile media at Søndre Green farm, beautifully situated at the foot of the Norefjell mountain range in Krødsherad Municipality, Norway. The program aims to provide space for focused work, support the development and dissemination of textile art, and foster connections between artists from around the world who explore textile expressions. AiR Green offers two residency formats: the regular program for four artists over one month sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities in the main farmhouse, and Studio AiR Green for a single artist during a two-month stay with private facilities. The historic 18th-century main farmhouse (350m²) was fully renovated in 2013/14 and includes 3 double bedrooms, 3 single bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, multiple living rooms, and spacious kitchen/dining areas. Artists have access to multiple work spaces including a 40m² workroom in the main house, a 40m² wet room in the brewing house, and the 'Høytørka' gallery space (3m×16m×4.8m high). The farm features traditional textile equipment including vertical looms, flat looms, and Spælsau sheep providing wool for spinning and dyeing, plus natural herbs and plants for textile dyeing.

AIR in Tainan

Tainan, Taiwan

The AIR in Tainan program offers various residency opportunities across multiple locations in Tainan City, Taiwan, including Soulangh Cultural Park and Tsung-Yeh Arts and Cultural Center. These residencies provide international artists with a vibrant community and an environment rich in history and culture. The program supports artists from various disciplines, including visual art, installation, craft, design, and performance, by providing free accommodation, studio space, and a monthly living subsidy. Artists are encouraged to engage with the local community and draw inspiration from Tainan’s unique cultural and historical context. The program promotes artistic exchange and offers administrative support, making it a valuable experience for emerging and established artists alike.

Arquetopia Foundation

Puebla, Mexico

Arquetopia Foundation is an award-winning, multiple award-winning nonprofit arts and academic foundation with a significant social scope and global presence across three continents. Now in its 14th year, Arquetopia is dedicated to promoting critical thinking, a commitment to ethics, and a sense of reciprocity in artistic practices. It offers customized, professional International Artist-in-Residence Programs that are renowned worldwide for their comprehensive, research-based approach, focusing on social creativity. Arquetopia's residency programs, situated in Puebla and Oaxaca in Mexico, Cusco in Peru, and Naples in Italy, are tailored to provide a vast array of learning opportunities. These programs are distinguished for their commitment to sustainability in the arts, fostering research and critical thinking in creative processes. Arquetopia's model challenges preconceived notions of history and place, encouraging artists to engage with local epistemologies and resistance models as sources of knowledge and inspiration for social change. The foundation emphasizes ethical artistic practices, acknowledging the problematic ties of artist residencies to colonization, imperialism, and the extractive practices of tourism. Established in 2009 as an autonomous and registered Mexican nonprofit, Arquetopia is self-sustaining, unaffiliated with any political, religious, or war industrial entities, relying on its self-generated funding model. The foundation was co-founded by Mexican visual artist and curator Francisco Guevara and North American classical musician Chris Davis. Originally started as an educational art center for inner-city youth, it quickly evolved to offer international artist residencies. Arquetopia stands out for its array of unique residency programs with substantial mentoring, focused on professional artists, writers, academics, and researchers. It provides a generous and culturally diverse space, hosting artists and scholars from all over the world, aiming to enrich the global arts community with a multiplicity of perspectives.

Beam

Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Beam, a cultural development organization based in Wakefield, North of England, offers a Socially Engaged Artist Residency in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. This residency aims to engage the community and visitors through creative participatory activities and animation, exploring unique and hidden stories about the town. The program runs for six months and provides an all-inclusive fee of £14,700 plus VAT. Beam supports artists with technical, administrative, and mediation assistance, offering a residency base in an empty shop in Chesterfield town center. The residency includes community engagement sessions, research, and creative outputs displayed in the town center. Beam emphasizes the importance of community involvement, cultural exchange, and the creation of high-quality public art.

Blackhorse Workshop

London, United Kingdom

Blackhorse Workshop, a social enterprise based in London, is committed to opening up access to making for all. The workshop offers a supportive environment for creative practitioners, particularly those early in their careers, who have a strong interest in wood and metal work. The residency provides free desk space in a shared studio, access to professional wood and metal workshops, and regular development support. With a focus on inclusivity, Blackhorse Workshop actively encourages applications from individuals with a strong connection to Waltham Forest, especially from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts. The residency culminates in a public presentation of the resident’s work, offering a valuable platform for emerging makers.

Buinho Creative Residency

Messejana, Portugal

Buinho Creative Residency, located in the town of Messejana, Portugal, offers artists the opportunity to live and work for up to two months in a variety of unique residential spaces. Buinho manages five distinct houses, three of which are dedicated to the Creative Residency program, providing a range of accommodations including single and double bedrooms, shared and private studios, and communal living amenities. The residency supports artists with well-equipped working laboratories and facilitates community engagement through access to local exhibition spaces. Applications for the residency can be made through spontaneous application, with fees varying based on accommodation type.

Casa Wabi Fundación (Foundation)

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Fundación Casa Wabi, a non-profit civil association, promotes contemporary art and local community engagement through its residency program. Located in three locations: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City, and Tokyo, Casa Wabi operates under the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection. Founded by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, the headquarters in Puerto Escondido is designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The residency program invites national and international artists to engage in multidisciplinary exchanges that foster social development. Residents benefit from comprehensive facilities, including studios, exhibition galleries, and communal spaces, to inspire creativity and community interaction.

Craft AiR at University for the Creative Arts (UCA)

Farnham, United Kingdom

The Craft AiR program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham offers artists the opportunity to deepen their practice in Ceramics, Glass, or Jewellery & Silversmithing within a dynamic academic setting. This residency provides free access to state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated workshops, kilns, fabrication tools, and digital labs. In exchange, artists contribute to curriculum support through technical workshops, talks, and community engagement, enriching both their CVs and the UCA craft community. The program encourages early and mid-career artists with either formal qualifications or professional experience to apply. While UCA provides exceptional workspace and resources, artists are expected to arrange their own accommodation, materials, and travel. The residency typically runs from September to August, with flexible start dates and a minimum 3-day weekly commitment. This is an ideal opportunity for practitioners who thrive in collaborative, educational environments. Open to UK and international applicants, the program supports a vibrant exchange of ideas in contemporary craft.

Det Vilde Spinderi Residency

Nykøbing Sjælland, Denmark

Det Vilde Spinderi offers a supportive, self-directed residency within a working wool and textile environment. Residents gain access to dedicated shared studio space in the spinning mill and can engage with a collaborative community of makers. The program encourages experimentation across textile processes and welcomes artists from diverse disciplines to explore materials, process, and place. The Odsherred landscape and local community provide inspiring context for research, making, and exchange. Exhibition and workshop possibilities are connected to the on-site showroom and programming. The focus is on long-term craft knowledge, sustainable practice, and open exchange rather than fixed outcomes.

EE Exclusives

Heeze, Netherlands

EE Exclusives is a family-owned textile mill celebrating its 125th anniversary with the launch of the Textile Pioneer Program, a unique artist residency designed for emerging textile professionals eager to deepen their expertise and create at the intersection of craftsmanship and innovation. Located at Industrieweg 64, Heeze, Netherlands, this fully funded 9-week creative residency provides access to weaving facilities, a 125-year-old textile archive, and the opportunity to create professional woven prototypes on high-tech jacquard machines. The program includes 6 working days at the factory and 5 weeks of guided remote design development by expert team members including creative director, creative project manager, and jacquard designer. For 2025, applications are due June 15th with the program starting July-September. EE Exclusives has worked with renowned fashion houses including Viktor & Rolf and artists like Hella Jongerius, with collaborations featured in Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. The program emphasizes textile innovation beyond generations, combining traditional Dutch weaving heritage with cutting-edge techniques.

Fiskars AiR

Fiskars, Finland

Fiskars AiR, located in the picturesque village of Fiskars in Southern Finland, is a creative hub established in 2006 under the Cooperative of Artisans, Designers, and Artists. It invites professionals from various creative fields, including arts, crafts, design, and more, from all around the world, providing a multicultural and enriching experience. The residency offers a conducive environment for creative exploration influenced by the village’s rich history, unique population structure, and natural beauty featuring lush forests and tranquil lakes. Residents are accommodated in fully-equipped studio apartments suitable for individuals, couples, or small families, and have access to a large, versatile basement space for larger creative projects. Fiskars AiR aims to foster professional exchange and networking among local and international artists, enriching the local community through diverse artistic insights and collaborations.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

Deer Isle, Maine, United States

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, located on Deer Isle, Maine, offers a two-week Open Studio Residency that encourages a dynamic exchange of ideas among peers and provides extensive studio time without the distractions of daily life. Established to foster deep engagement with craft and creativity, the residency is designed to support artists in a variety of disciplines including ceramics, blacksmithing, fiber, graphics, metals, and wood. Participants benefit from the unique collaborative environment and are encouraged to explore and interact with different media. The residency includes full access to the Haystack's facilities, including the Fab Lab for digital fabrication, which enhances creative practices with cutting-edge technology.

Hin Art

George Town, Malaysia

The Hin Art Residency, established in 2019 at the Hin Bus Depot in George Town, Penang, is a dynamic program aimed at nurturing artistic talent across various disciplines. The residency facilitates meaningful engagement between artists and the local community by providing a platform for artists to live, create, and showcase their work in the cultural heart of Penang. The program supports artists through exhibitions and open studios, which serve to integrate and reflect the diverse cultural landscape of the area. Each artist brings a unique perspective to the residency, from painting and installation to weaving and photography, enriching the local art scene with global artistic flavors and varied mediums. The Hin Art Residency not only promotes the professional growth of artists but also contributes to the cultural richness of George Town.

Peters Valley School of Craft

Layton, New Jersey, United States

Peters Valley School of Craft, nestled in the stunning Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, offers a sanctuary for artists seeking tranquility and inspiration amidst a supportive artistic community. This unique residency program, fueled by the generosity of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, extends fully funded opportunities for artists to immerse themselves in their creative pursuits within well-equipped studios across various disciplines including Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Fibers, Jewelry/Fine Metals, Wood, Painting/Collage, or Printmaking. Designed to cater to artists at all career stages, from emerging to professional, Peters Valley emphasizes the need for artists to have prior experience with the tools and equipment of their craft, ensuring that each resident can work independently. Given the rural setting of the campus, artists are advised to have access to personal transportation to navigate the area freely. Each selected artist is provided with a private room in a fully furnished shared house, offering a communal yet independent living experience. Unlimited access to a studio equipped with all the necessary tools and utilities fosters an environment where artists can focus solely on their craft. In addition to the provision of living and working spaces, artists receive a stipend to help offset the costs associated with materials and travel, underscoring Peters Valley's commitment to supporting the creative process. This residency stands as a testament to Peters Valley School of Craft's mission to support artists' growth and creativity. By removing financial barriers and providing the space and resources needed for artistic exploration, Peters Valley enriches both the individuals it hosts and the broader artistic community.

Sarabande Foundation

London, United Kingdom

Sarabande Foundation, established by Lee Alexander McQueen in 2006, is a charitable foundation in London that supports creatively fearless artists and designers. It offers heavily subsidized studio spaces ranging from 50 to 350 sq. ft. at £1 per sq. ft. per month, including utilities and access to communal spaces and equipment. The foundation also provides business mentoring, pro-bono support from experts, and networking opportunities. Sarabande nurtures artists from various disciplines, including sculptors, fashion designers, jewellers, textile designers, painters, performance artists, and more. The residency program emphasizes community and collaboration, providing a robust platform for artists to develop their craft and connect with leading industry professionals.

Sawtooth School for Visual Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Sawtooth School for Visual Arts in Winston-Salem, NC offers a robust Artist-in-Residence program focusing on ceramics and woodworking. This year-long residency, housed within a vibrant craft school environment, is designed to support the development of new skills and encourage the creation of new work. Residents benefit from 24/7 access to studio spaces, teaching opportunities, and a range of professional development activities. In the woodworking discipline, the Gondring Residency provides emerging woodworkers with a semi-private studio, a $3,000 stipend, and extensive teaching and exhibition opportunities. Residents are selected based on their dedication to craft, quality of work, and potential to bring fresh perspectives to the community. The program's history spans nearly eight decades, marking it as a significant cultural institution in the region.

Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM)

Washington, D.C., United States

The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) offers the oldest and largest fellowship program dedicated to the study of American art. This prestigious fellowship supports full-time research in the Smithsonian collections, encouraging scholars from diverse disciplines to explore American art, craft, and visual culture. Open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scholars, the fellowship emphasizes inclusivity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. The program provides financial support for research residencies ranging from three to twelve months. While housing is not provided, additional stipends may be available for relocation and health insurance. International candidates are welcome, and assistance with J-1 visas is offered. Fellows have access to extensive resources, including SAAM’s library, archives, and research facilities in Washington, D.C.

Studio 88

Doi Saket, Thailand

Studio 88 Artist Residency is located in the serene town of Doi Saket, 25 kilometers from the vibrant cultural city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Founded by international cultural manager Sasiwimon Wongjarin (Aom), the residency provides a space for artists to reflect, experiment, and create in a tranquil environment. Studio 88 welcomes artists from various disciplines, including literature, visual arts, new media, performing arts, craft, and design. The residency is designed to foster intercultural exchanges and support creative development through mentoring and tailored programs. Artists can stay in self-contained bungalows that offer both living and studio space, with access to shared facilities like a large indoor hall and exhibition space. Studio 88 also offers additional services such as technical support, curated studio visits, and networking opportunities. The residency aims to connect international artists with the local scene, facilitating meaningful cultural interactions and collaborations. Through its programs, Studio 88 emphasizes the importance of art in engaging with nature, people, and culture.

Studio Luce

El Paredón, Guatemala

Studio Luce, located in El Paredón on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, is a dynamic artist residency offering tailored creative retreats for writers, artists, and academics. Hosted at Villa Rosa, Studio Luce provides a serene environment with a focus on independent work, artistic development, and community engagement. The program includes various residency options, from open calls to private residencies and curated artist invitations, accommodating individual artistic needs and fostering collaboration. Villa Rosa’s amenities support a productive stay, with en-suite rooms, shared studio spaces, and outdoor work areas. Residents can immerse themselves in El Paredón’s rich cultural and natural landscape, including its iconic black sand beaches, surfing spots, and mangrove ecosystems. Studio Luce emphasizes minimal residency requirements, allowing artists to explore their practice freely while engaging with fellow creatives and local residents. The program aims to promote Guatemala as a hub for the arts, contributing to positive tourism and cultural exchange within the country and beyond.

TEXERE

Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico

The TEXERE Textile Residency, located in Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico, offers both independent and group residency programs for artists seeking to explore and expand their textile practices. Residents can engage with themes such as weaving, spinning, natural dyes, embroidery, and the intersection of social, cultural, and environmental aspects of textile traditions. The program provides private or shared accommodations, access to professional textile equipment, and shared studio space, creating a supportive environment for education, experimentation, and community exchange. Independent residencies are flexible, lasting 1–4 weeks, allowing participants to focus on individual projects at their own pace. Group residency programs, on the other hand, run for two weeks and incorporate curated workshops with local artisans, studio visits with contemporary textile artists and researchers, and collaborative opportunities among residents. Both formats foster deep connections with Oaxaca’s rich textile heritage and its artisan community.

Vermont Studio Center (VSC)

Johnson, Vermont, United States

The Vermont Studio Center (VSC) stands as a vibrant creative sanctuary, offering residencies for artists and writers in the tranquil environment of Johnson, Vermont. Offering private studios and accommodation, VSC is dedicated to providing an immersive creative experience, enhanced by the presence of visiting artists and writers who contribute through talks, presentations, and one-on-one sessions. VSC prides itself on its commitment to inclusivity, with various fellowships targeted at supporting BIPOC artists, women, Native Americans, and writers of color, highlighting its dedication to fostering diversity within its community. The center also encourages community engagement through a Community Contribution Program, allowing residents to actively participate in the local and on-campus community. VSC’s facilities are tailored for a wide range of creative practices, including a print shop, digital lab, sculpture shop, and access to traditional craft media, emphasizing its role as a comprehensive hub for artistic development.

Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild

Woodstock, New York, United States

Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild’s artist residency program, located in Woodstock, New York, offers live/work spaces within the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony. Artists from various disciplines, including writing, visual arts, ceramics, filmmaking, and more, are invited to apply based on their artistic excellence or demonstrated commitment to their field. The residency offers both cottage residencies and communal residencies, providing artists with autonomy and opportunities for community interaction. Residents are invited to participate in Byrdcliffe’s annual AiR exhibition and various program offerings. Accommodation options vary in size and layout, with fees applicable. Byrdcliffe ensures a serene natural setting conducive to creative development.