Free Illustration Residencies
5 residencies
Fully funded illustration residencies that cover both housing and a stipend. These programs remove financial barriers entirely, letting you focus on your art.

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.

Galerie Stihl Waiblingen
Waiblingen, Germany
Municipal gallery specializing in works on or made of paper, including classical drawings, prints, comics, and design drawings. Hosts three temporary exhibitions annually with focus on drawing and paper art.

international artist residency
Paris, France
International residency in Paris supporting artists from all disciplines and generations with research space, community, and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Les Ateliers du Plessix-Madeuc
Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, France
Les Ateliers du Plessix-Madeuc, based in Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, France, supports young visual artists, particularly painters and illustrators under 35, through three-month residency programs offering individual studios, accommodation, a stipend, and art equipment. Residents engage in research and production, participate in public events like open days, conferences, and workshops, and exhibit their work at the end, leaving one piece for the organization's collection for five years. The program, running since and in its current location since , fosters interactions between artists and diverse local publics in a coastal setting.

Pépinières Européennes de Création
Paris, France
Pépinières Européennes de Création is a European network supporting artistic residencies and creation programs for emerging artists across various disciplines, including multidisciplinary and visual arts projects. It partners with organizations to launch open calls for residencies in locations such as France, Poland, Italy, and Belgium, often providing grants like €10,000 plus accommodation. Recent calls include residencies focused on themes like the Art of Remembrance and illustration/graphic literature.
More illustration residencies
Other disciplines free
Frequently asked questions
Are there really free illustration residencies?
Yes. Fully funded residencies provide both accommodation and a stipend at no cost to the artist. These programs are typically supported by government arts funding, private foundations, or institutional endowments.
How do I find free illustration residencies?
Browse our curated list above, each with real reviews from artists who attended. You can also filter by country or check each program's website for current application details and deadlines.
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