Artist Residencies
An artist residency gives you what the studio and the day job usually take away: uninterrupted time, dedicated space, and a community of peers. Programs range from a week in a rural cabin to a fully-funded year abroad.
This directory covers competitive fully-funded programs like MacDowell, Yaddo, and the American Academy in Rome; regional and thematic residencies serving specific disciplines; and international residencies across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. Some pay stipends and cover travel; others are self-funded but offer studio and lodging at low cost.
Successful residency applications share three things: strong work samples, a clear artist statement, and a specific project proposal that could only happen in that place. Apply to six to ten programs per cycle.
Artist Residencies — US
Artist Residencies — International
About artist residencies
Which artist residencies pay a stipend?▾
Fully-funded programs in the US include MacDowell, Yaddo, Djerassi, Ucross, Headlands, and the Fine Arts Work Center. Internationally, look at Rijksakademie (Amsterdam), DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm, Villa Aurora, and Civitella Ranieri. Stipends typically range from $500/month to $30,000+ for year-long fellowships.
How do I apply for an artist residency?▾
Most residencies use a common application: artist statement (500–1,000 words), CV, work samples (5–10 images or short video), and a project proposal specific to the residency's context. Deadlines cluster in fall (for the following year) and mid-winter. Give yourself six weeks per application on the first pass; subsequent ones go faster as you reuse core materials.
Are there residencies for early-career artists?▾
Yes. Programs like Vermont Studio Center, ACRE, Wassaic Project, and Bemis Center actively support emerging artists. Many international residencies (Cité Internationale des Arts, Res Artis network) accept early-career applicants, though funding may be partial. Emerging artists usually have better odds at short (2–4 week) programs than at year-long fellowships.