How to Become an Artist-in-Resident
Do you want to meet other folks at the same level in their artistic career as you, learn from one another, and grow together? Are you looking for a dedicated, rent-free place to create your art? An Artist-in-Residency can be all of that and more! Here are 4 steps for achieving your first Artist-in-Residency.
Introspection
Before you go applying to every residency under the sun, think about what you are looking for RIGHT NOW. When I applied for my first residency, I was honest-to-goodness looking for validation. The voice in my head said “you can do it!” but I needed external proof before I was willing to fully dedicate myself to my art. You might be in a place where the money, the mentorship, or the marketing are what is most critical for you take the next step in your journey. If that is the case, you should think about why that is your #1 criteria and structure your next steps accordingly.
Research
Here is that accordingly bit from the sentence you just read! Since you know what your top priority is, applying for residencies that match your needs will be a tad easier. Instead of big game hunting out in the wild, you can plant seeds that can feed your ambitions perennially. Examples of how introspection can fuel your research:
If you are seeking money
Look for the programs that don’t require an application fee (that would put you in the negative from the jump).
If you are seeking mentorship
Check the sponsoring organization’s board of directors as soon as you enter the website. Are they the kind of folks you dream of having a coffee chat with?
If you are seeking marketing
Complete a social media audit of the sponsoring organization. Do they post about their artists-in-residency at the beginning and end of the program? Do they re-post content from their artists?
Application
Time is finite ,your energy is finite, but the opportunities are infinite. By combining your knowledge from the introspection and research phases, you can create a Deal Flow Chart to prioritize which applications are most likely to lead to the ends you seek. AirTable has a great template you can use for free after signing-up with their website.
Follow-up
Go for you Wonder Star! You looked deep within yourself for the truth, found organizations whose mission aligns with your vision of the future, and completed the application. Last but not least is the second scariest part of the artist-in-residency. It’s time for you to email / tweet / LinkedIn message (choose only one) the organizers of the residency. I like to follow-up with greater specifics on what I would accomplish during my residency given that application question word limits often prefer brevity over thoroughness. You could also just follow-up with a quick “Thanks in advance for considering me, I’m thrilled about your program for X reasons.”
Ready to submit your first Artist-in-Residency application? Colleges and universities often have deliciously extensive lists of open calls for residencies. Those lists are meant to help their students but who says you can’t benefit from their good work! Williams College in Massachusetts has one of my favorite lists. Comment on this article with the best list you find to help your fellow Wonder Stars!
