Reviewed by Artists

Researcher / Scholar Residencies

67 residencies for researcher / scholar artists.

Residencies for researchers, scholars, and writers conducting arts-related inquiry. These programs provide the time and intellectual environment for deep investigation.

Arquetopia Foundation logo

Arquetopia Foundation

Puebla, Mexico

4.7 (6)

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.

CeramicsCraftDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinary+5
Asian Culture Center (ACC) logo

Asian Culture Center (ACC)

Gwangju, South Korea

The Asia Culture Center (ACC) Residency, located in Gwangju, South Korea, is a premier international residency program fostering the intersection of art and technology. The ACC Residency encompasses various platforms such as ACC CREATORS and ACC Theater, each tailored to support different aspects of artistic development. The residencies are known for their focus on future-oriented themes and often explore the dynamic between art, science, and technology. The ACC CREATORS Residency caters specifically to professionals across diverse fields—artists, researchers, engineers—encouraging them to develop innovative ideas through access to advanced studios and collaborative opportunities. This platform supports experimental projects that integrate AI and various digital interfaces to challenge and expand the boundaries of traditional art forms. Conversely, the ACC Theater Residency focuses on the performing arts, providing resources like Korea’s largest modifiable black box theater to experiment with and finalize performance arts projects. It supports the creation, development, and presentation of new experimental works, offering systematic support through mentoring and showcasing opportunities. Both residencies offer private studios, community spaces, and accommodations to facilitate creative activities. They provide substantial financial support, expert consultations, and opportunities for public presentation. Overall, the ACC Residencies aim to serve as catalysts for pioneering works that merge artistic creativity with technological innovation.

StipendHousingDigitalInstallationInterdisciplinaryMultidisciplinaryPerformance+1
Oak Spring Garden Foundation logo

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Upperville, Virginia, United States

4.8 (4)

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) offers a unique residency experience located in Upperville, Virginia, nestled between the towns of Middleburg and Marshall. The foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the gifts of Rachel "Bunny" Lambert Mellon, including her extensive gardens, estate, and the Oak Spring Garden Library. The OSGF focuses on interdisciplinary residencies that bring together artists, conservation practitioners, researchers, and scholars who are connected through their creative and investigative practices concerning plants, gardens, landscapes, and related environmental themes. Established in 2021, the residency program supports individuals engaged in a variety of disciplines including the arts, conservation, humanities, and plant and ecological sciences. Residents are provided with fully furnished accommodations and have access to studios, a significant library collection, communal meals, and various natural and cultivated landscapes on the 700-acre property. The program aims to foster a collaborative environment among residents while also providing opportunities for solitude and focused work. Key components of the residency include initial orientations to the resources available at OSGF, involvement in community meals prepared by an on-site chef, and optional involvement in activities that enhance their experiential learning and connection to the site.

StipendHousingDrawingMultidisciplinaryPaintingResearcher / Scholar
PLAYA logo

PLAYA

Summer Lake, Oregan, United States

Located in the striking landscape of the Great Basin in south-central Oregon, PLAYA offers a unique residency experience dedicated to fostering the intersection of art and science. Established in 2009 by Julie Bryant and Bill Roach, PLAYA has served as a crucible for artists and scientists to explore, create, and collaborate. The residency program is designed to support innovative work that promotes dialogue and positive change in the environment through a deep engagement with the natural and communal resources of the high desert. PLAYA provides a variety of fully equipped living and working spaces including private cabins, studios, and a central Commons area that encourages communal interactions and creative exchange. The isolated setting offers an uninterrupted space for residents to immerse themselves in their projects, with the expansive vistas and the dynamic landscape acting as a catalyst for creative output. The program welcomes a diverse group of international and domestic applicants from all disciplines of the arts and sciences, who are over 18 years of age and interested in projects that align with PLAYA’s mission of environmental and social progress. Throughout its 10-year history, PLAYA has been a bedrock for over hundreds of residents, promoting not only innovation but also the synthesis of artistic and scientific inquiry. Residents at PLAYA enjoy the solitude and the communal spirit equally, accessing workshops, themed weekends, and special events that complement their individual projects. Whether it’s through the stark beauty of the desert landscape or the supportive community, PLAYA continues to be a place where the boundaries of traditional residency programs are expanded, making it a significant site for artists and scientists aiming to explore new frontiers in their work.

StipendHousingDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinaryWriting / LiteratureMultidisciplinary+6
Willapa Bay AiR logo

Willapa Bay AiR

Oysterville, Washington, United States

Willapa Bay AiR, located on the lush, coastal region of southwest Washington state, offers a sanctuary for artists across various disciplines. Established in March 2014, the residency is set on a sprawling 20-acre land, designed specifically to provide both solitude and a sense of community among its residents. This nurturing environment is crafted through architecturally thoughtful buildings that reflect the residency’s ethos of fostering creative endeavors. The residency program is open to emerging and established artists, including filmmakers, writers, playwrights, scholars, singer/songwriters, and musical composers. It offers month-long, self-directed residencies that run annually from April 1 through October 28. During their stay, residents are provided with lodging, meals, and designated workspaces at no cost, enabling them to fully immerse in their creative projects without the burden of financial stress. Applications are carefully reviewed by selection committees, which are composed of working artists and professionals within the applicants’ respective artistic fields. This thorough review process ensures that invitations to the residency are extended based on the merit of past work and the potential for future creative evolution, which the unique environment of Willapa Bay AiR is poised to stimulate. Willapa Bay AiR not only prides itself on its supportive creative community but also its commitment to accessibility for artists from around the globe, reinforcing its status as a coveted destination for artistic development.

StipendHousingDigitalDrawingInstallationWriting / LiteratureMultidisciplinary+5

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Frequently asked questions

What is a researcher / scholar artist residency?

A researcher / scholar artist residency is a program that provides dedicated time, space, and resources for artists working in researcher / scholar. Residencies typically offer studio access, accommodation, and a supportive community, allowing artists to focus on developing new work away from their usual environment.

How do I choose the right researcher / scholar residency?

Read reviews from artists who have attended each program. Consider the location, duration, cost, available facilities, and the community of fellow residents. Our reviews cover all of these aspects honestly, helping you find a program that matches your practice and needs.