Visual Arts Artist 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.

Montello Foundation

Montello, Nevada, United States

The Montello Foundation, established to support artists who enhance our understanding of nature and its need for protection, offers a unique residency experience in the Nevada desert. Since its inception, the Foundation has been dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and awareness of nature's fragility. Artists are encouraged to engage in creative exploration, contemplation, and innovation, reflecting on humanity's relationship with the natural world. Located in an isolated valley in Northeastern Nevada, the Foundation offers a retreat designed for solitary reflection amidst the desert landscape. The residency provides artists with a space that supports both their physical needs and their artistic work. The main structure, designed with minimal environmental impact, includes separate areas for living and working, promoting creativity and inspiration. Each year, the Foundation invites six artists from various disciplines and career stages to engage with the desert environment and the local community. The selection process for the residency is conducted by the Foundation's board members, focusing on the quality and relevance of the artists' work to the Foundation's mission. The residency experience is transformative, offering artists a chance to recalibrate and reassess their connection to nature and their creative process. The Foundation's commitment to solitude and reflection allows artists to immerse themselves in their work, free from the usual distractions of daily life. This approach has a profound impact on the residents, as evidenced by their reflections and the work they produce during their stay.

Zaratan

Lisbon, Portugal

Zaratan AIR offers a multidisciplinary residency in Lisbon for emerging and professional artists, curators, and writers, targeting both international and Portuguese artists living abroad. The program, lasting 4 to 12 weeks, accommodates two artists at a time, fostering an experimental and collaborative environment. Residents are provided with private accommodation, a personal studio, and receive technical and promotional support, though specific technical facilities are not available. Regular interaction with Zaratan's curatorial team is encouraged, along with public presentations of their work. The application process is ongoing, with a selection committee evaluating submissions. The residency, operated on a not-for-profit basis by Zaratan gallery, requires a fee that covers accommodation, studio, and support, with artists often securing funding from their home countries.

Casa Lü Parque

Mexico City, Mexico

Casa Lü Parque is an artist-run visual arts residency in Mexico City near Parque Hundido, founded in 2017. It provides dedicated studio space, accommodation, and engagement with Mexico City's contemporary art scene through weekly critiques, cultural outings, studio visits with local artists, and a final group exhibition. The program hosts small cohorts of 5-6 artists and emphasizes sustained practice and experimentation within an active cultural context.

CASA

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

The Artist in Residence (AiR) program at Casa in Lethbridge, Alberta, offers a supportive and community-based atmosphere for artists from various disciplines and experience levels, including recent undergraduates. The program includes workshops, installations, open houses, and artist talks, fostering community engagement and new perspectives. Artists are provided with space free of charge and are encouraged to seek funding for travel, lodging, and per diems from granting agencies. Casa assists with public engagement opportunities and supports successful candidates in their grant applications. The application deadlines are January 15 and June 15 each year, with residencies scheduled between June and December or January and June of the following year. Casa is managed by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, a non-profit arts organization and registered charity.