March 2026
Essential Platforms to Discover Open Calls for Artist Residencies
Every major directory, database, and newsletter for finding residency opportunities worldwide — organized by how you'll actually use them.
AI-assisted content — reviewed by our editorial team
Finding the right artist residency starts with knowing where to look. We compiled every major platform, directory, and newsletter that lists open calls for international residencies — organized by how you'll actually use them.
Directories & Databases
Always-on platforms where you can search, filter, and bookmark opportunities year-round.
Res Artis
The oldest and most authoritative global network for artist residencies. Their open calls board connects you to over 1,000 programs across the globe. Residencies self-post, so listings skew toward established, well-funded programs. A strong starting point for any search.
TransArtists
Part of DutchCulture, TransArtists maintains a clean, chronological list of open calls alongside a database of around 1,400 residencies worldwide. Particularly strong for European and Asia-Pacific programs. Their funding guide for Asia is a unique resource you won't find elsewhere.
Artenda
A European-origin aggregator covering residencies, grants, fellowships, and exhibitions worldwide. What sets it apart is personalized recommendations, user-friendly filters, and deadline reminders. Particularly strong European coverage. Free 30-day trial, then a small monthly fee. Also offers application tips and online courses on how to apply.
ArtConnect
Blends a residency directory with community networking and an editorial magazine arm that publishes curated "best of" residency guides. A curated selection focusing on European and international art hubs, with a user-friendly interface that makes comparing programs easy.
Rivet
Clean, modern platform with 290+ open calls filterable by deadline, funding amount, start date, and discipline. The funding amount filter is especially useful if you're prioritizing paid opportunities. Free to use, with a broad discipline range including dance, performance, and writing.
ArtRabbit
Primarily known as a UK-based arts events platform, ArtRabbit also lists residencies, exhibitions, and competitions. Strong UK and European presence with a contemporary art focus. Useful for artists who want to access a broad spectrum of opportunities alongside gallery shows and exhibitions.
Alliance of Artists Communities
US-based membership organization with a vetted directory of artist communities and an open calls section sortable by deadline. The "fully funded" filter is particularly useful. Primarily North American, though international listings appear. Their ongoing open call list is ideal for opportunities without a specific deadline.
ArtJobs
A comprehensive hub for international art opportunities — residencies, exhibitions, and employment. Provides a broad list of current open calls worldwide, covering destinations like the USA, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK, and Switzerland. A versatile and essential tool for artists pursuing various global artistic endeavors.
Wooloo
An artist-run community board where residencies and opportunities are user-submitted. Strong for grassroots, alternative, and artist-run spaces that bigger platforms miss entirely. If you're looking beyond the usual institutions, start here.
The Open Call Platform (OCP)
A newer, completely free platform designed by artists, for artists. 570+ opportunities across 11+ disciplines, with new calls added daily. Strong anti-paywall ethos — no gatekeeping, no premium tiers.
Fully Funded Residencies
Dedicated to gathering and sharing information on residencies that cover most or all expenses — housing, stipend, and travel. Removes the noise of fee-based programs entirely. Also serves as a community for sharing residency experiences and aims to make the art field more democratic and transparent. Active on Instagram as @fullyfundedresidencies.
Submittable Discover
Many arts organizations use Submittable to manage applications. Their Discover page lets you browse thousands of live calls — residencies, grants, fellowships, contests — at the moment they're accepting submissions. An aggregator by default, not by curation.
Artwork Archive
Beyond just residencies — covers grants, fellowships, and exhibition opportunities. A unique feature is the ability to add deadlines directly to a personalized schedule within the platform, ensuring you never miss important application dates. Good for building a comprehensive pipeline of applications.
Parrot Art
A specialized platform that curates residencies aligned with specific artistic themes, techniques, and cultural contexts. Unlike broader aggregators, Parrot Art focuses on a more refined and focused search, offering insights into unique residency experiences that foster specific artistic growth and cultural immersion.
Artinfoland
Run by artists for artists, this Melbourne-based platform covers a wide range of opportunities with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity. One of the few resources with meaningful Asia-Pacific and Australian residency coverage. Their magazine publishes curated "Top 5" residency guides by country.
Region-Specific Resources
NYFA Source
The New York Foundation for the Arts maintains one of the most trusted US arts opportunity boards — over 20,000 listings including residencies, grants, and jobs, updated daily. NYFA also administers its own artist fellowships (up to $8,000). Free to use.
CEC ArtsLink
Focuses on cultural exchange between the US and Eastern Europe/Central Asia. Administers its own residency grants and fellowships. A niche but important resource if you're interested in working across these regions.
Creative Capital
A respected US arts funder that publishes a monthly compiled list of residencies, grants, and awards. Curated (not bulk aggregation), so every listing carries a trust signal. Creative Capital itself awards up to $50,000 in project grants.
Springboard for the Arts
A Minnesota-based nonprofit particularly strong for rural artist residencies and community-embedded programs. If you're looking outside the major art centers (NYC, LA, Chicago), this is your resource.
ArtsHub
Highlights artist residencies across Australia and a variety of international opportunities. Covers both traditional residencies and innovative art programs. Detailed descriptions and streamlined application guidelines make it straightforward to find the right fit. Especially strong for artists targeting Australian or Asia-Pacific programs.
Berlin Art Link
If you're targeting European or German programs specifically, Berlin Art Link's open calls section is the single best source. Also covers broader European opportunities in contemporary and media art.
Mobility, Exchange & Funding
On the Move
A European resource focused on international mobility for artists — not just residencies, but travel funding, mobility grants, and practical guides on visas, taxation, and social security for artists working across borders. Members in over 20 countries, with 60+ national funding guides covering 2,000+ opportunities. Essential for anyone planning cross-border work.
Asian Cultural Council
Not a directory — a direct funding source. ACC administers grants and fellowships for cultural exchange between Asia and the US, distributing $1.4M annually across 26 countries. The most significant institution for Asia-US artistic exchange, founded by John D. Rockefeller III in 1963.
Fractured Atlas
Founded in 1998, Fractured Atlas has evolved into a vital resource for artists and arts organizations. It provides fundraising tools (including fiscal sponsorship), educational resources, and personalized support. Their commitment to anti-oppression principles and equitable access makes them essential for artists seeking financial infrastructure to support their residency applications and creative practice.
Identity-Specific & Curated Sources
Weekly Rise
Focuses specifically on opportunities for women and non-binary artists. Offers a comprehensive range of artist residencies and retreats alongside a specialized weekly newsletter. This targeted approach amplifies diverse artistic voices and ensures opportunities are accessible and relevant to these communities.
Hyperallergic
hyperallergic.com — monthly opportunities roundup
The respected arts publication publishes monthly curated roundups of residencies, grants, and fellowships. Handpicked, not algorithmic — so quality tends to be high. Available as a newsletter.
Colossal
thisiscolossal.com — monthly opportunities roundup
A design and visual arts media site that publishes monthly curated open call lists. Their audience skews toward visual artists, illustrators, and designers, and listings reflect that focus.
How to Use These
You don't need to check all 27 platforms. Here's a practical approach:
- Start with 2-3 databases that match your geography and discipline. Res Artis + Artenda + your regional pick (NYFA for US, On the Move for Europe, ArtsHub for Australia/Asia-Pacific) covers most ground.
- Subscribe to 1-2 newsletters (Hyperallergic, Weekly Rise, and/or Colossal) for passive discovery.
- Check Fully Funded Residencies if budget is a constraint — it filters out the noise instantly.
- Use Submittable Discover as a catch-all — many smaller programs only post there because it's where they process applications.
- Set deadline reminders on Artenda or Artwork Archive to stay organized.
- Read reviews before applying — check what artists say on Reviewed by Artists to make informed decisions.
Every platform here has been verified for active listings. If you find a broken link or a platform that's gone quiet, let us know.
Explore residencies
Vermont Studio Center (VSC)
Johnson, United States
The Vermont Studio Center (VSC) stands as a vibrant creative sanctuary, offering residencies for artists and writers in the tranquil environment of Johnson, Vermont. Offering private studios and accommodation, VSC is dedicated to providing an immersive creative experience, enhanced by the presence of visiting artists and writers who contribute through talks, presentations, and one-on-one sessions. VSC prides itself on its commitment to inclusivity, with various fellowships targeted at supporting BIPOC artists, women, Native Americans, and writers of color, highlighting its dedication to fostering diversity within its community. The center also encourages community engagement through a Community Contribution Program, allowing residents to actively participate in the local and on-campus community. VSC’s facilities are tailored for a wide range of creative practices, including a print shop, digital lab, sculpture shop, and access to traditional craft media, emphasizing its role as a comprehensive hub for artistic development.
Cafe Tissardmine
Tissardmine, Morocco
Cafe Tissardmine offers a unique artist residency in the heart of the Moroccan desert, providing a serene environment for artists to explore and create. This residency is designed for artists seeking inspiration from the vast landscapes and profound silence of the desert. Up to nine artists at a time can enjoy a 24-day stay, with the opportunity to engage with the local village and its children. The residency emphasizes the importance of being resourceful and inventive due to its isolated location, limited internet access, and the need for artists to bring their own supplies. The program includes accommodation, meals, studio space, and a sunset trip to Erg Chebbi's giant dune, aiming to recharge and inspire artists away from the demands of modern life. The selection process is personal and prioritizes artists committed to the full residency length, with a fee of 950 Euro covering most necessities and activities designed to immerse artists in the desert experience.
Mauser EcoHouse
Near San Jose, Costa Rica
The Mauser EcoHouse Artist Residency, established by the Mauser Harmony with Nature Foundation in 2019, is located in the remote tropical mountains of Costa Rica. The residency offers private and shared studios, set in a Spanish-style villa that promotes an eco-friendly and health-conscious lifestyle. Artists from all disciplines and backgrounds are invited to explore and create amidst one of the most biodiverse environments on the planet. The residency emphasizes sustainable living, with a focus on permaculture and the use of natural materials found on-site. Accommodations include options for private or shared rooms, with vegetarian meals provided to foster communal engagement. Artists have access to a large communal studio and an outdoor veranda for plein air activities, ensuring a variety of working environments. The program supports deep reflection and intensive creative work, free from the distractions of daily life, making it an ideal retreat for artists committed to environmental conservation and creative exploration. The residency operates year-round and welcomes applications from international artists, offering a unique opportunity to experience 'Pura Vida' – the pure life of Costa Rica.
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