MASS MoCA

Benefits: The residency at MASS MoCA was an exceptional experience. I had the best group of artists in my cohort, and we had a lot of fun both in and out of the art activities. The town is beautiful, and having full access to the museum was phenomenal—I could take my time exploring the galleries, which was a constant source of inspiration. I also had the chance to meet curators and members of the local art community, which I believe will be incredibly useful for future networking. The support from the staff at Assets 4 Artists was excellent; they were always there to help and even organized trips to get supplies. Challenges: One major challenge was transportation. North Adams is small, and there is no Uber service or reliable bus system. Renting a car is an option, but only for the full month, which may not be necessary as you won’t use it all the time. Additionally, while the apartments were fully equipped, it’s a good idea to coordinate with roommates about cleaning, organization, and shopping early on, so you don’t end up spending time managing household chores. Practical Advice: Make sure to engage with the local community and fellow artists—it helps to build connections and fully immerse yourself in the residency. Take advantage of the museum access, and plan trips for art supplies in advance since the town is limited in options. Coordinating with roommates about basic household duties will also save you time and energy. Costs vs. Gains: Although transportation and the small size of the town can be difficult to navigate, the investment in the residency was worth it. The opportunity to connect with other artists, museum curators, and the local community, along with the artistic growth I experienced, far outweighed any challenges. I’m eager to return in the future.

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