Sound / Music Artist Residencies
Complete guide for sound / music artists looking for residencies
Finding the Right Program
With 288 sound / music residencies listed on Reviewed by Artists, finding the right program starts with understanding your needs. Consider whether you need financial support — 123 programs offer a stipend, and 123 are fully funded with both housing and stipend included.
What to Expect
Sound / Music residencies typically provide dedicated studio space, time to focus on your practice, and a community of fellow artists. Many programs also offer exhibition opportunities, critiques, and professional development. The duration varies from a few weeks to several months.
Application Tips
Most sound / music residencies require a portfolio, artist statement, and project proposal. Be specific about what you want to accomplish during the residency and why that particular program is the right fit. Reading reviews from past residents can give you valuable insight into what each program values.
Top-rated sound / music residencies

A Position on Retreat
Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, Canada
A Position on Retreat, an artist residency situated in Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island, Canada, offers a serene environment for artists from diverse disciplines. Known as 'The Blue House,' this comfortably renovated home sits at the center of a picturesque tourist town, surrounded by Canada's breathtaking natural landscape. Within a five-minute walk, residents have access to grocery stores, charming coffee houses, restaurants, beautiful beaches, and scenic hiking trails. Enveloped by a temperate rainforest, ancient old-growth forests, the vast Pacific Ocean, and numerous lakes and waterfalls, the residency is a haven for creative inspiration and rejuvenation. A Position on Retreat strikes a perfect balance between community engagement and the tranquility of nature, providing artists with an ideal setting for both creativity and reflection. This artist residency on Vancouver Island is an exemplary retreat for artists who seek to immerse themselves in nature and focus on their creative pursuits. It's an environment where the natural beauty and calm of the surroundings contribute significantly to the artistic process, making it a sought-after destination for artists looking to enrich their practice.

A Studio in the Woods
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
A Studio in the Woods, a beacon of artistic and environmental collaboration located at the heart of Southeastern Louisiana, serves as a sanctuary where artists of diverse disciplines converge to explore the profound relationship between humanity and nature. This organization is dedicated to supporting artists passionate about addressing the critical issue of our time: the intricate bond between human beings and the environment. By facilitating residencies, A Studio in the Woods nurtures meaningful interactions between artists and the local community, ensuring that the rich culture and ecology of the region inform and inspire the creative process. Residencies are offered across a wide spectrum of artistic fields, welcoming both established and emerging talents who share a commitment to public engagement and a rigorous work ethic. Positioned at the nexus of the City of New Orleans, a vast hardwood forest, the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and extensive alluvial wetlands, the studio offers a unique backdrop against which artists are invited to delve into their projects, influenced by the dynamic environmental context.

Art Omi
Ghent, New York, United States
Art Omi offers five distinct residency programs for international artists, writers, architects, musicians, and dancers. Located in Columbia County, New York, the residency provides artists with time, space, and resources to create, experiment, and collaborate in a rural setting. The residency programs are fully funded, covering accommodations, meals, and studio space. Each program has its own application process and focuses on different creative fields, encouraging a diverse range of artists from around the world. Art Omi is committed to cultural exchange and professional development, offering participants opportunities to engage with peers and visiting professionals from various creative industries. The residency fosters an environment of collaboration, community, and artistic exploration in an inspiring, natural setting.

Arthereistanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Arthereistanbul, founded in 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey, was initially established to provide Syrian artists facing difficulties with a space for artistic creation, away from the impacts of war and political strife. This unique residency offers a haven for artists to work, exhibit their creations, and sustain themselves through a café and the organization of workshops, screenings, and performances. Emphasizing a custom-made residency program, Arthereistanbul opens its doors to artists, researchers, curators, and writers from all backgrounds, aligning projects with the residency’s vision. The program encourages research, creativity, and cultural exchanges among Syrian, Turkish, and international artists, aiming to foster dialogue, diversity, and understanding. Arthereistanbul equips its residents with studio spaces, archive rooms, exhibition and performance areas, and technical facilities, including a dark room and woodworking tools. Accommodation is provided in Kadiköy, near the residency space, ensuring a comfortable and conducive environment for artistic and cultural exploration.

Björkö Konstnod (BKN)
Björkö, Sweden
Björkö Konstnod (BKN) is an artist-run, non-profit organization located in Björkö, Sweden, offering residencies predominantly to visual, performance, and sound-based artists. Founded in 2020, BKN provides a unique environment for artists to focus on their practice in a peaceful rural milieu where the forest meets the sea. The residency includes access to well-equipped studios, workshops, darkrooms, and other facilities. BKN fosters a peer-based environment encouraging collaborative and site-sensitive exploration. Artists are selected through open calls and are expected to participate in maintaining the workspace and engaging with the local community. While BKN offers studio grants, artists cover their living expenses.

Bloedel Reserve
Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States
The Creative Residency at Bloedel Reserve offers a unique opportunity for artists and researchers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Bainbridge Island, Washington. Established in 2015, the program hosts creative individuals from various disciplines, providing them with a serene and inspiring environment. Residents stay in a fully furnished home nestled within the 140-acre reserve, with access to its sculpted gardens, forests, and wildlife habitats. The program is designed to foster creative thinking inspired by nature and explore the connection between humans and the environment. Each resident receives a $1,000 stipend to support their work and is encouraged to engage with the public through presentations, workshops, or other community activities. The residency is open to professional and emerging artists, composers, writers, botanists, and other creative thinkers. Participants must be 21 years or older, and the residency can accommodate only one artist at a time. The program offers an enriching experience for those looking to deepen their connection with nature and their creative practice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a sound / music artist residency?
A sound / music artist residency provides dedicated time, studio space, and resources for artists working in sound / music. Programs typically include accommodation, a supportive community, and sometimes stipends, allowing you to focus entirely on developing new work.
How many sound / music residencies are there?
We list 288 sound / music artist residencies on Reviewed by Artists. 123 offer a stipend and 123 are fully funded.
How do I apply to a sound / music residency?
Most sound / music residencies accept applications through their own website. You'll typically need a portfolio, project proposal, and CV. Application deadlines vary — some have rolling admissions while others have annual cycles. Read reviews from past residents to understand what each program is looking for.
What should I look for in a sound / music residency?
Key factors include studio space suited to sound / music practice, access to materials and equipment, the community of fellow artists, location, duration, and financial support. Our reviews cover all of these aspects to help you find the right fit.
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