Artist Residency Reviews

It’s not a paid residency and materials/food not supplied. If you don’t like animals or nature, this is not for you. I got a couple of ticks whilst on bush walks and saw quite a few snakes, but it was honestly one of the most formative times for my practice. Humans are outnumbered by kangaroos 10 to 1. The studios are generous and light-filled; I didn’t want to sleep, I made a huge amount of work. The museum collection and the old homestead are amazing. I swam in the river every day. The natural beauty of the place is breathtaking.

Benefits: The Art Omi residency offered significant benefits for the artist, such as: Networking with Global Artists: Meeting fellow artists, curators, and art professionals from various countries created an inspiring environment. The cultural exchange sparked creativity and offered a wealth of fresh ideas. Critical Feedback: The studio visits by critics provided valuable insights, helping the artists grow by offering diverse perspectives on their work. Exposure: The Open Studio Day allowed artists to showcase their work to a wider audience, including curators and enthusiasts. This exposure can lead to future collaborations and opportunities. Creative Focus: The rural setting allowed for concentrated time on artistic work, free from distractions. Challenges: The intensity of the studio visits week: The residency, especially the studio visits week, was a bit intense. Managing this workload could be a challenge, but it’s also worth the effort. Practical Advice: Embrace the Exchange: Engaging with fellow residents and visitors offers new perspectives on your work. Make time for both creative practice and cultural exchange. Be Open to Feedback: Take advantage of the studio visits to gather diverse opinions and insights from critics and curators. It can enhance your artistic practice. Costs vs. Gains: While the residency may involve significant time and energy, the networking opportunities, exposure, and critical feedback are likely to outweigh the costs, offering long-term professional benefits.

I attended the residency as a screenwriter, so my needs on location differed from those of visual artists. I requested a studio with a view of the Mediterranean and was fortunate to receive one. It significantly impacted my experience, as I find the ocean so healing and inspiring. I kept the windows open on warm days, welcoming the fresh ocean air. The beach is within walking distance, so be sure to bring swimwear. I spent much of my time working in the studio, but in hindsight, I wish I had taken more time to relax and enjoy the castle's surroundings. The residency encourages this balance. Additionally, I wish I had extended my stay in Europe before or after the residency. I met wonderful people, including the artists, staff, and locals, and found the experience deeply healing and inspiring. After the residency, I had a boost of creativity. It remains one of my top experiences, and I would return in a heartbeat if I could.

Meeting incredible artistic minds.

Having unlimited access to MASS MoCA was amazing/inspiring/unique/galvanizing.

I’d ask for them to at least provide transportation from the airport or other points of arrival.

Perfect residency.

I think the greatest benefits were the people you meet at the residency and the freedom to create any art that you want. I had some of the most meaningful and insightful conversations about art and life at the residency with the host and fellow artists. I created, I think, some of my best art at the residency and I think that’s due to the combination of the artists and the location.

Benefits: time and space in an inspirational environment to work on your art. Challenges: very remote (I didn't have a car), bikes are provided for doing groceries but it's very hilly so maybe not for everyone.

Vashon Artist Residency was very attentive to detail in making sure I had exactly what I needed to work, down to making sure I had the right lightbulbs and window in my studio. The residency allows you to completely focus on your work. The accommodations were generously sized and provided easy access to the outdoors, the sea, and the studio. This residency is completely self-directed, so arrange to bring or ship all of your art-making materials as not much is available on the island and come ready to make.

The location and accommodations are beautiful. The studios are basic, but well done for a basic studio with good lighting, AC/heating. The residents are well chosen for ability to live and work well with others. This is not a residency with networking opportunities beyond the cohort of other residents as it's somewhat remote. I'd return to an alumni session if I'm ever able to.

Vashon Artist Residency is in a beautiful location, the studios are well lit and well equipped, and they will give you a ride around the island if you need one. They host an informal critique and dinner one evening and connected us to experts in the community - like a geologist who took our cohort on an educational walk around Puget Sound. As a newer residency they welcome feedback and I've been incredibly impressed by their responsiveness and their commitment to provide more resources, flexible timing, and funding to all artists. Highly recommend.

If you’re the type of artist that likes to work in solitude while still have moments for community engagement this is your place. It’s peaceful and spacious and very accommodating. The staff members are loving and supportive beings and always around to help or answer any questions.

Beautiful studio and friendly atmosphere.

The residency is very well organized, with heavy programming at the beginning and the end. The residency's focus is a collaboration with the local textile partners which residents visit in the first two weeks of the residency. It is helpful visit all the partners prior to delving fully into any project as many ideas arise after each visit. I would nevertheless investigate each individual partner as thoroughly as possible prior to starting the residency.

The way to find the place that where I can be myself with huge nature space. Share studio space; community, great home condition, well English communication with Art Residency Manager. Hard to go outside of the town. Good and Simple environment; one gym, one supermarket, one restaurant, one bus stop.

An amazing opportunity to immerse myself in a new landscape to inspire a creation of new artworks. The studio and resources were good for what I needed for creating paintings. For me personally I find to make a residency rewarding is to create an action plan of what you would like to achieve. The rewards of doing this residency were developing a new body of work, meeting like minded people and teaching students new skills by working with a local school.

The program overall was great. Program manager is super supportive, and reserve staff are lovely (folks working in all aspects of caring for the gardens). Facilities: the house is stunning, but there is no proper making stuff studio, but staff will connect you to resources on the island. Other support includes stipend and a designated car for the duration. It’s a pretty magical opportunity to have solo access to the reserve after hours and time with trees, sea lions, coyote, and moss garden to name a few of the other residents.

If you are accepted for residency, prepare yourself properly and bring your own ideas to be ready to start as soon as possible. Be open to advice from the staff there: They might widen your horizon quite a bit!

The Corsicana residency is a small, private program located in a small Texas town that is about fifty miles away from Dallas. It is a free residency that provides you with both sleeping space and a big private studio. A benefit of the program is that you will have a huge private studio and lots of quiet time to focus on your art. You will encounter small town Texas culture in a very peaceful setting. A challenge of the program is that because the residency is inside a historic building, ceramic and aerosol-based work is not accommodated. Another challenge is that your sleeping space will either be inside or directly adjacent to your studio. The Corsicana residency is ideal for emerging artists who desire uninterrupted time to work on a large-scale project inside a historic Texas location. It offers a unique experience and I do recommend it!