Free Dance Residencies

Bundanon

Illaroo, Australia

Bundanon's Artists in Residence program, set within the cultural and natural landscape of Australia, is one of the most extensive of its kind nationally. Established by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, the program has been operational since 1997, supporting over 250 artists annually across all creative disciplines, including visual arts, writing, music, and performance. Located in a region renowned for its scenic beauty, this program not only offers a retreat for artists but also a vibrant community space for creative exploration and public engagement. The residency facilities at Bundanon include studios, rehearsal spaces, and accommodation in single and shared apartments, as well as self-contained cottages capable of hosting up to 10 people. The program is designed to encourage artistic development without the pressure of specified outcomes, allowing for experimental and exploratory approaches to art-making. This supportive environment is supplemented by various fellowships and awards, aimed at providing financial assistance and facilitating creative growth. Structured through collaborations with various arts organizations and cultural agencies, Bundanon’s residency program serves as an incubator for innovative practices and a forum for cultivating deep connections among artists from around the world. With its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the program particularly encourages applications from First Nations artists, artists with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hayama

Hayama-machi, Japan

Hayama Artist Residency, located in the scenic town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, offers a nurturing environment for artists to immerse in Japanese culture. The residency includes a roundtrip flight to Japan, shared accommodations at hôtel ami hayama for 4 weeks, and a weekly stipend for meals and transportation. Artists enjoy a blend of scheduled events and free time for reflection, without the pressure to create new work. A highlight is the group exhibition hosted by KOKI ARTS in Tokyo's art district, Bakurocho. Selection for the residency is made by an esteemed committee of international curators and arts professionals. The program fosters future opportunities, including a fee waiver for reapplying artists the following year.

Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA)

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States

Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA), nestled in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, stands as a beacon of interdisciplinary artistic collaboration and excellence. Established in 1977 by the visionary Doris Leeper, ACA fosters a nurturing environment where artists across multiple disciplines can converge, create, and share ideas. The center is renowned for its Mentor Artist-in-Residence Program, which pairs emerging and mid-career artists with distinguished mentors to explore new projects, experiment, and engage in rich dialogues across artistic fields. Beyond its core residency, ACA extends its creative reach through community arts and wellness initiatives, offering a broad spectrum of programs that underline the center's commitment to artistic innovation and community engagement.

Bearnstow

Mount Vernon, United States

Bearnstow is a summer arts retreat center in Mount Vernon, Maine, offering weeklong workshops, artist retreats, and programs like the Young Artist Internship focused on dance, performance, and creative exploration in a natural lakeside setting.[1][2][4] Artist retreats provide one-week residencies for individuals or small groups (up to 3) in any discipline, including shared cabins, meals, and facilities for $450-$425 per person, with family options during day camp.[4][5] The Young Artist Internship runs mid-June to late August, offering shared housing, meals, $100 weekly stipend, and dance workshops in exchange for assistance with operations.[2]

Marble House Project

Dorset, Vermont, United States

Marble House Project is an expansive, multi-disciplinary artist residency program situated in Dorset, Vermont. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement by offering artists from a wide array of disciplines a place to live and work harmoniously. Focusing on conservation and organic food production, it invites artists to integrate with the natural surroundings and local community, aiming to foster both individual artistic growth and communal enrichment. With sessions running from mid-April through October, the program curates a diverse mix of approximately 60 artists annually, both from the United States and abroad, across all creative fields including visual arts, writing, choreography, music composition, performance, and culinary arts.