Beyond costs, there are plenty of other reasons an opportunity may not be worth it. Some might not provide the kind of support, resources, network, exposure, or space to experiment that you what you need at this particular moment. Some might surround you with too many (or not enough) people or distractions… The best way to gauge all of this is to look up past participants and try to find interviews where they speak about their time at the residency, check reviews on Rivet, or get in touch with them directly.
No two opportunities are exactly alike, so there’s something for everybody. Ask yourself:
1. How would you like to spend your time?
- Work: find an opportunity that lets you work on things uninterrupted and in your own space, with no mandatory interactions with other people
- Discover: to immerse yourself and explore a totally new environment, look for community-run opportunities, or programs with strong ties to the local creative scene.
- Network: If you’re going to meet and network with other creative people or patrons, find a larger, well-connected program.
- Exposure: to show your work, look for programs with frequent public-facing activities, like open studios, talks, or workshops.
If you are accepted into a program and are unsure of what’s in store (maybe it’s brand new or there isn’t much information available), be clear about your intentions visiting and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
2. What do you need?
- Equipment: Check their tech specs to see if they have what you need.
- Language: If you planning to get by using only the language(s) you speak, make sure the program has someone on staff you can communicate with. If not, be prepare to learn a new language or find creative ways to overcome language barriers.
- Project Assistance: If you think you’ll need a translator or a studio assistant to help with sourcing materials or working through your process, make sure the programs you apply to have dedicated staff who will be willing and able to help out, otherwise be prepared to hire an assistant and seek out the help you need on your own.
“We are most interested in cultivating a relationship with artists who can really use the network, location, resources that are particular to our institution.” — Jodi Waynberg
3. What suits your lifestyle?
- Environment: Think about your level of comfort. Can you rough it? Opportunities vary from farm houses with intermittent electricity to luxury hotels with continental breakfasts. Check a map and use Google Street view to get a sense of the environment
- People: If you’re looking for solitude, find a place that works with less than three people at any given time to avoid constantly turning down invitations to group activities.
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