A Little About Me

My Relationship With Artist Residencies

I have been attending artist residencies thought the United States since 2013. Artist residencies have been an incredible way for me to both see the country and create new artwork without daily pressures interfering. Below I will list the artist residencies I have attended, along with links to their websites. If you have any questions pertaining to these specific programs please reach out. I can say each one was wonderful in its own way.

Rural Artist Residency List

2022
(Scheduled) The Lawrence Art Center, Project-Based Residency, Lawrence, KS

2021
Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat, Skagway, AK 

2019
Azule Artist in Residence, Hot Springs, NC

2018
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Artist in Residence, Ontonagon, MI
Petrified Forest National Park, Artist In Residence, Petrified Forest, AZ
Arrowmont School Of Arts and Crafts Pentaculum, Gatlinburg, TN

2017
Brush Creek Foundation For the Arts, Saratoga, WY (Now Closed)

2016
Jentel Foundation, Banner, WY
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Temecula, CA

2013
Vermont Studio Center, Johnston, VT

Finding and Choosing An Artist Residency Program

Websites

There are a few ways I find out about artist residency programs, but if you aren’t interested in reading about my process then I would suggest the following two websites; Res Artist, which I use most, and Residency Unlimited. These sites provide artist residencies with a place to post their programs for anyone to see. These are by no means the only places to find a program, but it’s an awesome place to start if you don’t have any other resources.

Talk with your community

This is, in my opinion, the absolute best way to find out about a residency program. If you are able, I suggest reaching out to every artist you know and asking what they know about artist residency programs. If they have attended a residency, not only can they provide you with the inside scoop, but they can also write you a letter of recommendation. A recommendation from someone who has already attended a program will go a very long way.

Picking a Program

There’s a lot to consider here, but some of the big ones include…

• Prices - some programs require you to pay to attend.

• Location - can your craft reasonably fly to a location or do you need to ship or drive supplies?

• What’s provided - what is the facility and what do you need?

• Time frame - not all programs run year-round and summer spots are competitive.

Setting Goals and What To Expect From An Artist Residency

Setting Goals

Setting goals is important for me, especially when planning for an upcoming artist residency program. Many programs will ask you to write about what you will be creating while at the program in your application, but I have yet to have a program hold me to it when I arrive. Most programs just want to ensure you will use your time and their facility in a productive way and allow you to define what that means.

That being said, I like to have a loose plan and some goals. These goals usually include having a number of pieces I want to complete for an upcoming show and a few new tools I want to experiment with. I try to set a reasonable goal and allow lots of room for mistakes and experimentation. Artist residency programs are one of the few times I feel comfortable making absolute garbage art and failing without stress.

Side Quests

I have a tendency to turn into a hermit when I get to a resident. I like to burrow in and just make lots and lots of work. This can be super effective and lead to big steps forward, but it can also be extremely limiting. If you’re participating in the AiR program as a resident artist in a National Forest and don’t go on some hikes and camping trips, why go at all? Being able to make work in a new community is a gift and not getting out to experience that community is a waste. So I always set up some side quests in order to ensure I get out of the studio and participate in the surrounding community. I have never regretted it.

Beyond art-making, I try to have a few things that have nothing to do with art-making planned. I always bring a skateboard (because I am a child and still skateboard) and all my running gear. I also bring my backpacking equipment if the program is rural, but that often feels like research so the other items really help me take personal space. Stepping away from the studio for an afternoon always helps.

What to Expect

Every program is different so it’s important to read through the website to know what you’re getting into. If you have been accepted into an artist residency program and still have questions after reading through the website, just call them. I do this all the time and even ask them to send me photos of the studio space if they aren’t already provided online. I need to know what to pack and they are always happy to chat.

One thing to consider is how many people will be there with you, and whether you are comfortable with that. Artist residencies can be emotional and difficult especially if you’re dealing with a heady topic. Be sure you are going to be in an environment that is going to best serve you in your creative process.

What To Pack For and Traveling To An Artist Residency

Check List

Planning and packing will largely be dictated by the program, your medium, and how you’re getting there. I will say that having a checklist has served me well in the past and not having one has bitten me. I make a loose list of every tool I could need and whittle it down to the essentials. It sucks getting to a program and having to scramble because you forgot something or planned poorly.

Traveling

I like to drive. Although my art practice does not require much in the way of supplies and I have a nice compact tool kit, driving across the county and sleeping in National Parks is one of my favorite things. It has the added benefit of usually being much cheaper. I have an old wooden trunk that I keep all my clothing and art supplies in, which I toss right into my truck.

If I’m going to someplace like Alderworks Alaska, which essentially requires you to fly, I pack light. All my tools and paper can fit into an 8” diameter concrete forming tube (this is a great trick) which fits into my checked bag. When I have more supplies than I can reasonably bring on a plane I just ship things. The USPS is a wonderful institution.

Tip For Artist Residency Applications

Follow Their Directions

Read through everything they have put on their application and follow it. When applying to programs that have a lot of applications, the easiest way to get ruled out is not following instructions. Double-check everything and be sure it’s perfect, and get a proofreader. No matter how good of a writer you are, it never hurts to have a second set of eyes on your writing. This page will be proofread and still have mistakes when all is said and done.

Explain Why You Fit

Tell them in your application why you’re a good fit and how the program will benefit you specifically. These programs have been set up to help artists, so explain to them why this program would benefit you and how it relates back to the work you want to make. If they have the tools that you need to make your work, tell them that. Don’t expect them to know or anticipate how they can benefit you.

It’s also helpful to have a show lined up. This way you can tell them where the work you’re making at their program will end up.

Apply To More Than One

I talk about rejection below, but it’s worth mentioning here that you probably aren’t going to get into every artist residency program you apply for. With that in mind, apply to a few programs so that the rejections don’t sting as much and you also get more practice with the application process. Failure is part of being an artist.

Help Others

This is a big one. A few of the programs I have been accepted into are a direct result of having helped someone else get into a program. When you start getting into programs, help your friends getting into the same program or others by writing letters and proofreading their applications. Competing with others is a great way to be unsuccessful and considered a jerk, where helping others will make you way more successful.

Rejection From An Artist Residency

My Experience

All of this is based on my experiences with artist residency programs, and part of that experience has been rejection. Over the years I have gotten better at applying and have had a higher success rate, but I still regularly get rejected from programs. The biggest piece of advice I can give for being rejected is to not take it personally, because it’s not. Just keep applying and reapplying. Don’t be afraid to reapply because some programs appreciate it and the worst they can do is say no again.