Artist Residencies in New Taipei City

Why New Taipei City works for residencies

New Taipei City wraps around Taipei and gives you something that’s hard to find in one place: urban access, semi-rural pockets, and strong neighborhood identities. You get dense city districts, riverside towns, mountain edges, and a ceramics hub, all tied together by the metro and regional trains.

For artists, that mix is ideal if your work leans toward:

• Community-based and participatory projects that need real neighborhood contact
• Site-specific installation using industrial, coastal, or historic spaces
• Research-based practice around ecology, labor, migration, or local histories
• Craft, puppetry, and performance that sit close to everyday life
• Interdisciplinary work that links field research with studio time

Compared with central Taipei, you usually find:

• More space for studios or live/work arrangements
• Closer proximity to specific communities and local industries
• Less pressure to “perform” for a gallery circuit every week
• Lower overall living costs as soon as you’re a bit away from main transit hubs

At the same time, you’re still inside the wider Taipei art ecosystem. Museums, universities, and AIR Taipei’s networks are within reach, so you can keep one foot in institutional life while staying grounded in community or landscape.

What residency life in and around New Taipei usually looks like

New Taipei does not have a single, famous mega-residency that defines the city. Instead, residencies tend to cluster around community projects, cultural centers, craft districts, and artist-run spaces. Many programs are small, locally rooted, or project-specific.

When you look at residency offers in the Taipei metro area (including nearby Taipei City programs and New Taipei-based initiatives), you’re likely to see combinations of:

• Studio or work space in a cultural center, village setting, or project space
• Accommodation or live/work housing (not always, but often a core perk)
• Administrative assistance with basic logistics, translation, or permits
• Presentation space for talks, workshops, rehearsals, or exhibitions
• Introductions to local communities, elders, craftspeople, or NGOs
• Support for field research—site visits, local guides, context briefings

Many Taiwan-based residencies, especially those connected to public culture departments, take cues from the AIR Taipei model, which includes:

• Free or subsidized accommodation during defined residency periods
• Studio space and sometimes rehearsal or performance spaces
• Administrative and curatorial support
• An expectation that your proposal connects with local context and public sharing

When you’re researching New Taipei specifically, pay close attention to how hosts describe their expectations. Community-oriented programs often want:

• Site-responsive proposals that acknowledge local history or ecology
• Public outcomes such as open studios, workshops, or small exhibitions
• Willingness to collaborate and work through language or cultural gaps
• Clear communication about what you can realistically do within the timeframe

Key areas and residency “types” in New Taipei

Residencies in New Taipei City aren’t all branded the same way, so it helps to think in terms of areas and project types instead of chasing one flagship program.

Banqiao: logistics-friendly urban base

Banqiao is the administrative center of New Taipei and a major transport hub. It connects easily to Taipei by metro and train and has strong links to municipal cultural centers.

Banqiao tends to work well if you need:

• Quick movement between New Taipei and Taipei for meetings, archives, and institutions
• Access to government-run cultural centers that host exhibitions, workshops, or short project-based residencies
• A more straightforward city infrastructure—co-working, print shops, framing, tech services

A Banqiao-based residency is a good fit if your work depends on urban research, interviews, civic issues, or if you’re juggling multiple partners across the metro area.

Tamsui: river, coast, and slower rhythm

Tamsui sits at the river mouth with a historic district, waterfront, and hill-side neighborhoods. It feels slower and more scenic than central Taipei, but you can still reach the city by metro.

Residencies or project spaces around Tamsui often suit artists working with:

• Landscape, climate, and riverside ecologies
• Photography, writing, and drawing that benefit from long walks and observation
• Community engagement in areas shaped by tourism, heritage, and everyday local life

Expect more emphasis on site visits, local histories, and relationships with residents, and less emphasis on constant gallery openings.

Yingge: ceramics and material practice

Yingge is Taiwan’s ceramics capital, known for kilns, clay suppliers, and a concentration of craft-based studios. While individual residency programs may come and go, Yingge remains a strong magnet if your work touches:

• Ceramics and clay
• Material-focused sculpture
• Craft histories and industrial heritage

If you find a residency connected to cultural centers or craft institutions here, expect:

• Access to kilns and ceramic expertise
• Proximity to suppliers and local workshops
• Opportunities to collaborate with craftspeople or respond to craft heritage

Even without a formal Yingge residency, some artists base themselves in New Taipei and spend focused time here for research, workshops, or production.

Yonghe, Zhonghe, Xinzhuang: dense and practical

Districts like Yonghe, Zhonghe, and Xinzhuang are dense, lived-in, and connected to Taipei by metro and buses. They don’t usually market themselves as “artist districts,” which can be an advantage if you want to stay close to normal city life.

Residency experiences in these areas often look like:

• Artist-run or independent project spaces offering temporary studios and housing
• Community-oriented art projects in partnership with local organizations
• Short-term stays tied to specific events, festivals, or public programs

This kind of environment is useful if your work deals with everyday urban experience, housing, migration, or labor, and you want to be embedded in normal apartment blocks rather than a secluded campus.

Mountain and fringe districts: ecology and fieldwork

New Taipei stretches into hills and river valleys, with smaller settlements and semi-rural neighborhoods. Residencies or projects here tilt toward:

• Ecology, agriculture, and watershed research
• Long walks and field recording
• Village-level community engagement

If you do land a residency in one of these districts, ask early about transport, equipment access, and how you’ll move materials. You might trade convenience for access to quiet landscapes and very specific local stories.

Nearby programs that still matter to your New Taipei plan

When you plan a residency period in New Taipei City, it’s useful to treat Taipei and New Taipei as one continuous art territory.

AIR Taipei and Treasure Hill as reference

The Artist-in-Residence Taipei (AIR Taipei) program, centered at Treasure Hill Artist Village, sits just across the city boundary in Taipei. Official information explains that AIR Taipei offers international residency and exchange projects, including:

• Free accommodation for selected artists during specific periods
• Studio and rehearsal or presentation spaces
• Administrative and networking support
• Public presentations and opportunities to connect with local communities

The program encourages residency proposals that connect your practice with Taipei’s cultural landscape, environment, and histories. While the physical Taipei Artist Village site has closed due to urban renewal, Treasure Hill continues as the main hub, with AIR Taipei using it as a base for residency and exchange programs.

For you, this matters because:

• You can live or work in New Taipei and still rely on AIR Taipei events, talks, and networks.
• You can combine a formal AIR Taipei residency with additional self-organized time in New Taipei, extending your research or production.
• You get access to an international and local peer group while developing more site-specific work in neighboring districts.

Arts Residency Network Taiwan (ARNT)

The Arts Residency Network Taiwan (ARNT) is a central resource that lists residencies across Taiwan, including programs connected to New Taipei or the wider region. ARNT offers:

• Profiles of residency programs and spaces
• Information on residency policies and structures in Taiwan
• Artist reports and experiences from past participants

Use ARNT to:

• Track down emerging or short-cycle residencies in New Taipei districts
• Understand how public and private residencies tend to operate
• Compare what different hosts offer in terms of housing, studios, and support

Independent and project spaces

New Taipei also has independent spaces and artist-run initiatives that function like informal residencies: they may host visiting artists, support specific projects, or offer short-term studios. Programs can shift quickly, so the most reliable strategy is to:

• Monitor local listings via ARNT and platforms like Res Artis and Transartists
• Check artist-run spaces and small project venues for open calls or invitations
• Stay open to hybrid formats: workshops, co-productions, or research residencies without heavy exhibition pressure

Who New Taipei residencies suit best

Residencies in and around New Taipei are especially strong for artists who:

• Build site-specific, research-driven projects rather than studio-only production
• Are interested in local narratives, ecology, labor, migration, and heritage
• Enjoy working with community partners and everyday audiences
• Develop performance, sound, installation, socially engaged, or interdisciplinary work
• Want close access to Taipei’s art institutions while keeping costs more manageable

It’s less ideal if you want:

• A totally isolated retreat with minimal urban contact
• A large, polished campus with an entirely international cohort
• A residency that operates only in English, without local language context
• Constant high-profile exhibition activity on-site

Cost of living and practical budgeting

Living in New Taipei City is generally cheaper than living in the core of Taipei, but there is a big range depending on district and proximity to metro stations.

What usually affects your costs

• Housing: Outer districts and non-tourist areas are more affordable. If your residency includes housing, that’s a major saving and makes short stays much easier.
• Food: Markets, night markets, and local eateries are budget-friendly. Cooking in a residency kitchen keeps costs predictable.
• Studios: If the residency provides studio space, you avoid separate rental. If not, look at shared workspaces or cultural centers.
• Transit: The MRT, trains, buses, and YouBike together cover most needs. Transportation is typically a smaller line item than rent.

District patterns to keep in mind

• Higher cost / more urban: Banqiao, areas very close to Taipei City, metro-heavy corridors, and touristy parts of Tamsui.
• Lower cost / more space: Outer districts, hillside neighborhoods, and places slightly away from main MRT stations.

If you’re choosing between multiple programs, the best value usually comes from:

• Residencies that include both housing and workspace
• Community-based hosts who connect you to local resources, reducing trial-and-error spending
• Locations that are a short bus ride away from major hubs rather than right on top of them

Transportation: getting around during your residency

One of New Taipei’s biggest advantages is easy movement. The city is tightly integrated with Taipei’s transit system, so you can plan projects across multiple districts without needing a car.

How you’ll probably move

• Taipei MRT: Connects major New Taipei districts like Banqiao, Tamsui, Yonghe, Zhonghe, and Xindian with central Taipei.
• Taiwan Railways: Useful for areas like Yingge and other points along the rail lines.
• Bus networks: Fill in the gaps, especially in hillside or river-valley districts.
• YouBike: Public bike-sharing for short hops and neighborhood exploration.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: Helpful late at night or when transporting heavier materials in a pinch.

If your work involves large objects or heavy materials, ask residency staff about:

• Freight access or loading zones
• Elevator size and studio access hours
• On-site storage and delivery options

Visas and paperwork: what to clarify with your host

Visa requirements for residencies in Taiwan depend on your nationality, length of stay, and whether your residency includes a stipend or involves paid work. Rules can change, so always check current information via Taiwan’s official immigration or diplomatic channels.

In general:

• Short stays may be covered by visa-exempt entry or a visitor visa, depending on your passport.
• Longer residencies may require a visa that allows extended stay and cultural activity.
• Teaching, paid performances, or substantial income may have specific conditions.

Always ask your residency host for:

• An official invitation or acceptance letter
• Clear description of your residency period and activities
• Documentation for accommodation, stipends, or production support
• Any local registration or reporting steps you need to complete on arrival

Timing your residency and project

Many Taiwan-based residencies, including those linked to municipal programs, run on annual cycles with calls that cluster in certain months. Exact dates change, so instead of chasing a specific timeline, treat spring and early summer as a common period to research and apply for the following year.

For working conditions on the ground, many artists find:

• Milder months more comfortable for fieldwork, walking-heavy research, and outdoor installations.
• Hot and humid months more demanding if your work involves outdoor labor or materials sensitive to heat and moisture.
• Typhoon season something to plan around if your project depends on stable travel or outdoor events.

If your project is very weather-dependent, build some flexibility into your schedule and discuss alternative indoor formats with your host.

Local art communities and how to plug in

New Taipei’s art scene is decentralized. Instead of one “art district,” you get pockets of activity scattered across craft areas, cultural centers, and neighborhood-based projects.

Where the energy often gathers

• Yingge: Ceramics studios, kilns, craft museums, and material-based practitioners.
• Banqiao: Municipal cultural infrastructure and event programming.
• Tamsui: Heritage and community arts along the river and old streets.
• Metro-wide networks: Artists who live in New Taipei but exhibit and teach across Taipei City as well.

To connect quickly, keep an eye out for:

• Open studio events and residency showcases
• Workshops and community art projects hosted by cultural centers
• Craft fairs, ceramic festivals, and local markets that involve makers
• Talks and exhibitions at Taipei institutions that draw New Taipei artists in

Platforms worth checking regularly

• Arts Residency Network Taiwan (ARNT) for residency listings and background info
• Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs for AIR Taipei and regional program updates
• Res Artis and Transartists for international calls that include the Taipei area
• Local venue websites and social media for independent and artist-run spaces

Building a New Taipei residency plan that fits your work

Instead of hunting for a single “perfect” New Taipei residency, think about putting together a configuration that suits your practice.

• Clarify your mode of working. Are you primarily community-based, craft-focused, research-driven, or performance-oriented? This will steer you toward specific districts and hosts.
• Match the neighborhood to your project. Ceramics and material research point toward Yingge. Landscape and slow observation suit Tamsui or fringe districts. Institutional collaboration and easy transport push you toward Banqiao or metro-heavy areas.
• Prioritize programs with housing and local introductions. For a new city, those two elements dramatically reduce friction, especially if you’re juggling research and production.
• Ask clearly about language support and public expectations. Many residencies want public sharing; you want to know early if you’ll be asked to teach, perform, or lead workshops.
• Consider combining formal and informal structures. One option is to do a structured residency in Taipei (for networks and visibility) and extend your stay with self-organized time in New Taipei for deeper site work.

New Taipei City rewards artists who are curious, flexible, and ready to work with what is already there: existing neighborhoods, craft traditions, landscapes, and everyday routines. If you approach it as a living context rather than just a backdrop, it can support some of your most grounded and specific projects.