Best Theater Residencies

Callie’s

Berlin, Germany

Callie’s is a non-profit experimental institution in Berlin dedicated to fostering creativity and cultural exchange through its residency program, exhibitions, and public programs. Housed in a former machine factory in the Wedding district, Callie’s offers private studio spaces, a movement studio with a sprung floor, a cooperative sound studio, and a dedicated writing room. The residency is self-guided, allowing artists at any stage of their careers to explore new ideas without production requirements. Artists-in-residence can also request on-site accommodation in micro-apartments, designed with handmade and custom elements. Callie’s fosters an open and interdisciplinary environment, with periodic informal gatherings, networking opportunities, and access to Berlin’s rich cultural landscape. While the residency covers workspace and resources, it does not provide direct funding for travel or materials. The program is open to visual artists, musicians, choreographers, writers, poets, and researchers, supporting a wide range of creative practices. Residencies typically last six months, with some flexibility for shorter stays.

Delfina Foundation

London, United Kingdom

The Delfina Foundation Residency Program, based in London, offers opportunities for artists, curators, and writers to develop their practice, explore connections, and build collaborations. Residencies, lasting up to three months, are largely thematic and support both emerging and established cultural practitioners. The Foundation hosts 6 to 8 residents simultaneously in its central London location, providing flexible living and working space. Residents engage with international peers and the public, fostering artistic exchange and professional development. The program has a strong focus on critical issues in contemporary art and has established relationships with the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Residencia Corazón (Corazon)

La Plata, Argentina

Residencia Corazón, located in La Plata, Argentina, offers a dynamic Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program for international artists, curators, and writers. The program provides a fully personalized experience for each participant, offering support in navigating the local arts scene, research, production, and post-production of works. Artists, writers, and curators from all disciplines are welcome, and residencies are available with or without exhibition opportunities. The residency offers accommodations in private rooms, access to studio spaces, and curated networking with local artists and institutions. While the residency does not offer financial support, it assists artists applying for grants in their home countries by providing necessary documents. Residencia Corazón offers a vibrant space for creative exploration and engagement in Argentina’s cultural scene.

Vashon Artist Residency

Vashon Island, United States

The Vashon Artist Residency, located on Vashon Island in Washington State, offers artists time and space to create in a serene setting along the Salish Sea. Founded by visual artist Cathy Sarkowsky, the residency provides comfortable accommodations and studio spaces for artists across various disciplines, including visual arts, dance, theater, music, media, literary, and interdisciplinary arts. The program is self-directed, allowing emerging, mid-career, and established artists to focus on their work without imposed expectations. Residency sessions range from 2 to 3.5 weeks, with a sliding-scale, need-based fee structure to ensure accessibility. The residency encourages diversity and welcomes artists from different backgrounds, fostering a rich communal environment. Artists are selected based on the strength of their proposals, with no requirements for public presentations or productivity. The Vashon Artist Residency emphasizes creating a supportive and inclusive space where artists can recharge and develop their practice.

Helene Wurlitzer Foundation (HWF)

Taos, United States

The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation (HWF) is a private, non-profit organization that has been supporting the arts since 1954. Located on a fifteen-acre campus in Taos, New Mexico, HWF offers one of the oldest artist residency programs in the USA. The Foundation provides three months of rent-free and utility-paid housing to visual artists, literary artists, and music composers from around the world. The campus consists of eleven fully furnished casitas, each tailored to the specific needs of different types of artists. The Foundation’s mission is to support the artist and the creative process, offering a peaceful setting for artists to pursue their work without imposed expectations or quotas. Applications are reviewed by a committee of professionals in various artistic disciplines, ensuring a diverse and enriching residency experience.

NES Artist Residency

Skagaströnd, Iceland

The NES Artist Residency in Skagaströnd, Iceland, offers a flexible and supportive environment for artists from around the world. The residency hosts 9-12 artists monthly, encouraging stays of two months or more for an immersive experience. NES provides individual workspaces in shared studios, with specific facilities for writers, dancers, performers, and musicians. The residency features two monthly events: free format artist presentations and public open studio events, with support for pop-up exhibitions. While the residency does not include structured programming, the NES team assists with logistical and artistic support as needed. The family-friendly residency offers various accommodation options, including single and double rooms, a private dance studio, and a three-bedroom apartment for families. NES operates year-round, welcoming artists of all disciplines to engage in a creative community surrounded by Iceland’s stunning natural landscape.

Arthaus Residency

Havana, Cuba

Arthaus Residency, established in 2016 in Havana, Cuba, is a vibrant hub for international artists and researchers. It champions the production, exhibition, and exploration of contemporary art through its diverse programs. Positioned in the heart of Havana, Arthaus Residency not only offers a space for creative practice and experimentation but also serves as a catalyst for promoting the internationalization of Cuban culture. The residency emphasizes collaboration with local art professionals and encourages participants to engage deeply with the sociocultural landscape of Cuba. Each artist embarks on their project with the support of Arthaus staff, focusing on practice, essay, production, research, and culminating in a final presentation to the local audience. With a hosting capacity for four participants, Arthaus fosters an intimate yet dynamic artistic environment. The residency accommodates artists, researchers, and curators, providing a Colonial house for living and working spaces. The selection process is conducted by the Colectivo Arthaus, ensuring a diverse and rich artistic exploration. To apply to our Programs follow this link: https://linktr.ee/arthausartistresidencyhavana For questions, please contact mediaarthaus@gmail.com We offer: - Accommodation in single rooms in a Colonial house - Work space - Exhibition space - Use of media production equipment (projectors, cameras, lights, sound, video editing, etc.) - Curatorial assistance - Visits to Cuban art galleries and artist studios - Invitations to artist talks and workshops - Access to a Spanish-English translator - Transportation to and from Havana Airport for an extra fee.

Farm Studio International Artist Residency in Rajasthan, India, offers artists from all disciplines an opportunity to develop their work in a rural community setting. Founded to foster creative exchange, dialogue, and collaboration between Indian rural artists and international contemporary artists, Farm Studio supports community-based activities and celebrates local cultural identity. The residency provides accommodation, meals, studio spaces, and an exhibition opportunity, encouraging experimentation and intercultural exchange. Artists are responsible for their travel, visa, and personal expenses. The program hosts residencies from October to the end of February each year, accommodating 3-6 artists at a time.

Mudhouse Residency

Agios Ioannis, Greece

The Mudhouse Residency, situated in the serene village of Agios Ioannis on Crete, Greece, is a haven for artists seeking inspiration from the stunning natural environment, solitude for creative growth, an artistic community for enriching professional practices, and a deep cultural immersion in a region with a rich historical background. Founded in 2015, the Mudhouse is now in its eighth year and offers three two-week sessions each summer to a diverse, multicultural, and multi-generational group of international contemporary artists. The residency welcomes artists from various disciplines, including visual arts, writing, music, and performance, fostering dialogues across traditional boundaries. Participants are invited to share their work with fellow residents through presentations and to partake in a closing exhibition that integrates the local historical and natural scenery. The Mudhouse is distinct for its commitment to affordability and diversity, achieved through the support of individual donors and foundations, which allows the provision of both full and partial fellowships determined by a competitive, juried process based on merit and financial need. The residency fee covers accommodations, as well as lunch and dinner served daily, with artists encouraged to explore Crete's rich landscape and historical sites.

R.A.R.O. Bogotá (RARO Bogota)

Bogotá, Colombia

R.A.R.O. is an international residency program that fosters artistic links and exchanges. The 2024 edition of the program will expand to Bogotá, offering a unique itinerant residency experience. Residents will work across multiple local artist studios, engaging with different artists, curators, and researchers. The program includes a series of activities such as studio visits, gallery tours, and dialogue sessions to facilitate collaboration and exchange. The residency aims to provide a dynamic environment for artistic development, culminating in a group exhibition at Espacio Odeón. The program is open to emerging and established artists from all disciplines, offering full and half grants to selected participants.

Tulsa Artist Fellowship

Tulsa, United States

Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a unique, place-based initiative designed to support artists across various disciplines by providing them with the resources they need to thrive creatively in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Each year, the fellowship selects new awardees through an open call process, offering a generous package that includes a $150,000 grant spread over three years, a yearly housing stipend of $12,000, health and studio assistant stipends, and a one-time relocation stipend. Awardees are provided with fully-subsidized studio spaces situated in Tulsa’s vibrant cultural district, enriched by galleries, performance venues, and green spaces. The fellowship is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, extending specific invitations to Native American artists and promoting a broad spectrum of artistic practices. This nurturing environment not only supports individual creative growth but also encourages artists to engage with the community through collaborative projects and public interactions. By integrating artists into the heart of Tulsa, the fellowship aims to enhance the city's cultural landscape and affirm its place as a center of creative activity. Recognizing the profound impact of art on social change, the fellowship aligns with the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s vision, which focuses on transformative impact through arts and culture. The program is an opportunity for artists to develop ambitious projects that resonate with both local and global audiences, ensuring a dynamic exchange of ideas and cultural enrichment.