Sunday, October 31, 2010

A Note on Artist Residencies

Hi gang,

Well, this must be the year for being geezerly. I'm sick again (me! I'm never sick and this is the third time in a month and a half ) and my left wrist got injured. Take it from me, stress is not good! Rest=Good. Stress=Bad. So I have tried to stay off the computer except for the stuff I really have to do for my book promotion, reader's guide, etc. Anyway, I've been getting some private questions via email about residencies, as well as a comment you can read below my last post regarding whether or not residencies are places where you can take classes.

First--I'll answer that question above: Most residencies are places where people just go to do their work. A retreat is more a place where people take classes. When you go to a place like MacDowell, you get a cabin and food and you do your thing. But I'm sure there are exceptions, which brings me to my next point—Many people ask me very specific questions about residencies---is there north light for painting, will the place accept me if I have never had a show, does the place offer a stipend, etc. You really have to check each place for yourself. I can't do that for you. And you should also know that while I do post about residencies here, they are only a tiny percentage of what's actually out there all over the world. If you are serious about going to a residency somewhere, please check out these three sites that are the motherships of residency programs: www.resartis.org, www.transartists.org, and http://www.artistcommunities.org/.

The last one charges a small fee for membership but is well worth the money. You can actually type in your preferences for seasons, genres, size, place, and on and on so that you can tailor-make your stay somewhere. And if you have more specific questions you can contact the places directly.

Finally, I highly suggest you read my FAQ section (http://miraslist.blogspot.com/search/label/FAQs%3A%20RESIDENCIES). And I highly suggest that if you can make it to the next TransCultural Exchange Conference on Opportunities in the Arts in Boston this coming April (go to the site for details), do it. You will meet people who run residencies all over the world. It's an amazing conference. And guess who will be there? Yes, Mirabee!

Off to sniffle and be a big baby....love to you all,
Mirabee

3 comments:

Priscilla said...

Thank you! I'll be sure to check out your FAQs page when I come back home tonight :) Hope you get better soon!

Judith G. Klausner said...

Feel better! I am sick right now myself, and its just no fun.

Caroline Garcia said...

Hi there, I noticed that your transartist.org link isn't correct.

http://www.transartists.nl/ seems to be what you're recommending.

Also, thank you for all of your hard work in collating this information! Your work is invaluable!

Welcome to Mira's List

This blog provides information on upcoming grants, fellowships and residencies for artists, writers, composers, and media artists. It is for serious professionals only, from emerging to mid-career to established. I also publish information for graduate students from time to time. However, I do not publish information on exhibition or publishing opportunities, nor do I advertise artist retreats and workshops that charge money. At least that is my current policy. For more info on where to exhibit or publish, please see my links section which I try to periodically update. I sift through hundreds of search engines and websites to find opportunities for YOU dear artist. In return, I ask you to pass the information along to those who need it. Also, since this is a free blog, I don't always have the time to weed carefully through everything. If you find a grant or website or residency that is not up-to-date, is dodgy in some way, or is no longer in existence, please let me know! Also, if you stay somewhere at one of the residencies I suggest and have a good experience, I want that feedback too. Please check my FAQs at the top right side bar if you have questions before starting your search. Best wishes and happy hunting!