Reviewed by Artists

Visual Arts Artist Residencies

Complete guide for visual arts artists looking for residencies

936
Programs
252
With Stipend
777
With Housing
95
Countries

Finding the Right Program

With 936 visual arts residencies listed on Reviewed by Artists, finding the right program starts with understanding your needs. Consider whether you need financial support — 252 programs offer a stipend, and 228 are fully funded with both housing and stipend included.

What to Expect

Visual Arts residencies typically provide dedicated studio space, time to focus on your practice, and a community of fellow artists. Many programs also offer exhibition opportunities, critiques, and professional development. The duration varies from a few weeks to several months.

Application Tips

Most visual arts residencies require a portfolio, artist statement, and project proposal. Be specific about what you want to accomplish during the residency and why that particular program is the right fit. Reading reviews from past residents can give you valuable insight into what each program values.

Top-rated visual arts residencies

Bundanon logo

Bundanon

Illaroo, Australia

5.0 (2)

Bundanon's Artists in Residence program, set within the cultural and natural landscape of Australia, is one of the most extensive of its kind nationally. Established by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, the program has been operational since 1997, supporting over 250 artists annually across all creative disciplines, including visual arts, writing, music, and performance. Located in a region renowned for its scenic beauty, this program not only offers a retreat for artists but also a vibrant community space for creative exploration and public engagement. The residency facilities at Bundanon include studios, rehearsal spaces, and accommodation in single and shared apartments, as well as self-contained cottages capable of hosting up to 10 people. The program is designed to encourage artistic development without the pressure of specified outcomes, allowing for experimental and exploratory approaches to art-making. This supportive environment is supplemented by various fellowships and awards, aimed at providing financial assistance and facilitating creative growth. Structured through collaborations with various arts organizations and cultural agencies, Bundanon’s residency program serves as an incubator for innovative practices and a forum for cultivating deep connections among artists from around the world. With its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the program particularly encourages applications from First Nations artists, artists with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

StipendHousingVisual ArtsCreative WritingVideo / FilmSound / MusicPerformance+2
Hayama logo

Hayama

Hayama-machi, Japan

5.0 (1)

Hayama Artist Residency, located in the scenic town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, offers a nurturing environment for artists to immerse in Japanese culture. The residency includes a roundtrip flight to Japan, shared accommodations at hôtel ami hayama for 4 weeks, and a weekly stipend for meals and transportation. Artists enjoy a blend of scheduled events and free time for reflection, without the pressure to create new work. A highlight is the group exhibition hosted by KOKI ARTS in Tokyo's art district, Bakurocho. Selection for the residency is made by an esteemed committee of international curators and arts professionals. The program fosters future opportunities, including a fee waiver for reapplying artists the following year.

StipendHousingVisual ArtsPaintingVideo / FilmDancePerformance+1
M

Ma Umi

Ishigaki, Japan

5.0 (1)

MA UMI RESIDENCIES is a self-funded, not-for-profit international hub for artists and researchers located on the northern peninsula of Ishigaki Island, Japan, fostering experimentation with land, ocean, and local communities amid climate change concerns. It hosts one resident at a time for short-term stays of about 14 days, emphasizing fieldwork, interdisciplinary practices, and public presentations without being results-driven. Founded by artist and architect Valérie Portefaix, it includes sites like Green Rabbit, Pink Turtle, and Blue Seahorse, promoting sustainable ecological and economic models.

HousingInterdisciplinaryMultidisciplinaryResearchResearcher / ScholarVisual Arts
Montello Foundation logo

Montello Foundation

Montello, United States

5.0 (2)

The Montello Foundation, established to support artists who enhance our understanding of nature and its need for protection, offers a unique residency experience in the Nevada desert. Since its inception, the Foundation has been dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and awareness of nature's fragility. Artists are encouraged to engage in creative exploration, contemplation, and innovation, reflecting on humanity's relationship with the natural world. Located in an isolated valley in Northeastern Nevada, the Foundation offers a retreat designed for solitary reflection amidst the desert landscape. The residency provides artists with a space that supports both their physical needs and their artistic work. The main structure, designed with minimal environmental impact, includes separate areas for living and working, promoting creativity and inspiration. Each year, the Foundation invites six artists from various disciplines and career stages to engage with the desert environment and the local community. The selection process for the residency is conducted by the Foundation's board members, focusing on the quality and relevance of the artists' work to the Foundation's mission. The residency experience is transformative, offering artists a chance to recalibrate and reassess their connection to nature and their creative process. The Foundation's commitment to solitude and reflection allows artists to immerse themselves in their work, free from the usual distractions of daily life. This approach has a profound impact on the residents, as evidenced by their reflections and the work they produce during their stay.

Visual ArtsCreative WritingSound / MusicNew MediaPerformance+1
Residencia Corazón (Corazon) logo

Residencia Corazón (Corazon)

La Plata, Argentina

5.0 (4)

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.

HousingCurationDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinaryWriting / Literature+28
The Ou Gallery logo

The Ou Gallery

Vancouver Island, Canada

5.0 (2)

The Ou Gallery is a gorgeous and intimate place to nurture your creative rest and renewal. Artists and writers have 24-hour access to their own designated studio in a 100 year-old boat-building workshop and a thoughtfully appointed private bedroom in a shared suite with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. Our Great Room, with its modern fireplace, original fir floors, 12’ ceilings and huge windows overlooking a creek fed by Mount Swuq'us (and frequented by herons and owls) is a perfect spot to unwind and connect with other creatives after a full day in the studio. Located in the Quw'ustun Valley, in the heart of Vancouver Island, a stunning, nature-filled place. Come here to decompress, gather new inspiration alongside like-minded artists and devote space and time to your work. There is no fee to apply. Residencies are two or four weeks long. See website for details: www.theougallery.com.

HousingPaintingPhotographyTextileMixed MediaWriting / Literature+22

Frequently asked questions

What is a visual arts artist residency?

A visual arts artist residency provides dedicated time, studio space, and resources for artists working in visual arts. Programs typically include accommodation, a supportive community, and sometimes stipends, allowing you to focus entirely on developing new work.

How many visual arts residencies are there?

We list 936 visual arts artist residencies on Reviewed by Artists. 252 offer a stipend and 228 are fully funded.

How do I apply to a visual arts residency?

Most visual arts residencies accept applications through their own website. You'll typically need a portfolio, project proposal, and CV. Application deadlines vary — some have rolling admissions while others have annual cycles. Read reviews from past residents to understand what each program is looking for.

What should I look for in a visual arts residency?

Key factors include studio space suited to visual arts practice, access to materials and equipment, the community of fellow artists, location, duration, and financial support. Our reviews cover all of these aspects to help you find the right fit.

Attended a visual arts residency?

Share your review