Artist Residency Reviews

Benefits: The amount of space is very generous with most of the studios. The program is highly respected and the open studios event attracts an impressive number of attendees. Challenges: The studios are not air-conditioned and can get quite hot in the summer months. Some studios also do not have window coverings, so you may need to invest in blinds or some other way to block out the intense sunlight in the afternoons. DUMBO is a very noisy neighborhood, not only from the trains traveling over the bridge, but the constant construction happening on the streets below. The program also has a lot of rules, largely contingent on the property management's involvement and building policies. Practical Advice: Don't underestimate the emphasis placed on the open studios event, which is handled almost like an exhibition. You will be assigned to a few organizing committees to plan the event. This can feel like a lot to take on, but you can use it to connect with your fellow studio mates. Some artists may also have shows planned at the same time as the event, but I would recommend doing whatever you can to have your best work on view at open studios to take advantage of the exposure. Cost vs. Gains: The studio is free, so the only cost is the logistical effort involved (subletting current studio, moving from out of town). If your goal is to really connect to the NYC art community it is worth it. There is also no application fee, so it's easy to apply every year.

I was very fortunate to be awarded this residency with a cohort that was really lovely. This is a co-working residency in West London, so I would take that into account. The organisation is incredibly helpful. I did this residency during Covid times and they were very accommodating. I only have good things to say about this program.

The spaces provided are a dream, and the location is very special. Highly recommend for those with practices related to ecologies, territory/land, identity, biology, sustainability.

Great apartment, shared with other interesting co-residents, made contact with people I will for sure see again and stay in touch with. Studio facilities are amazing, and the walk between the studio and the apartment is really nice (both would require some adjustments for accessibility for people with limited mobility). Equipment, spaces, staff: all was amazing. Very productive and insightful residency.

Great feedback and supervision by very skilled and engaged peeps at SAL, less inspirational surrounding community that mostly seemed detached from what’s happening at SAL.

Benefits: the residency program provides an excellent opportunity to be connected with the natural environment around the house. We can be free to walk, draw and paint directly in a wonderful landscape. The mentors provide their help and opinions, but let the artists free to create whatever we are into. The spaces we have to read and draw aren't so comfortable. During the day it's good, but when there's no sunlight, the artificial illumination is not enough. The tables and chairs could be more adequate too. But in the end, the full experience is so overwhelming, that it worths the pity to have some backache.

The residency was very rewarding. Their framework is to provide an environment for research and engagement with the location and community. Their proposal does not encompass studios and equipment, materials or funds for creating artwork on site. This residency is perfect for artists interested in the relation of their research and the environment, history, community, etcetera. It's a unique place and experience. The artists who created Mirante Xique-Xique help every artist integrate each individual research to their own conception of the residency in a very organic way.

Super interesting place with very nice people! Sound Art Lab in Struer has a lot to offer when it comes to workshops and knowledge. Nice accommodation too.

The residency is really good if you require solitude and are pretty self-driven. The resources available in terms of recording equipment and studios are plentiful and really helpful. The living quarters are lovely. The township of Struer is quiet and quaint and takes some getting used to, but there is a nice park walk not too far from accommodation. There was helpful financial support. Communication needs a bit more work. The collaboration offered with Bang & Olufsen, though it took a lot of negotiation on the presenter's part, ended up being really wonderful and we made good connections with staff.

Denis and Leo are amazing. The food, nature, peace, and colors—everything was beautiful.

It’s hard to rate the MXX residency program based on a scale, because when immersed in Igatu life just happens and the boundaries between living and producing kind of make no sense. Living in Igatu for the residency allows us to think about the role of art in our lives and experience other ways of existence. Igatu is a place where all boundaries get mixed up, and that’s the beauty of it. Although it’s not easy to get to MXX (airplane, bus and taxi, in my case), it’s worth the effort. The Chapada Diamantina and its surroundings are gorgeous, both in terms of culture and nature.

I had an amazing experience there; the nature is unique and inspiring. The coordinators were very helpful, and the network of local people and exchange of local knowledge was really special.

Many activists like dance, yoga, massage, poetry, cooking… all these experiences make us in one incredible environment of creativity.

Benefits: cultural heritage, nature environment and all relationship with the community of Igatu - one special little city in Chapada Diamantina.

The residence is placed in a wonderful and inspiring landscape in Brazilian inland, but it is isolated and far from any big town. The accommodation and working spaces are not amazing, maybe lacking the sophistication you would find in the big cities, but the hosts were more than happy to provide anything at their hands to make things easier. The spirit of intense collaboration and creative freedom is something I will always remember from this period. I have developed many works and projects but not many significant contacts in the art world context apart from my colleges from residence and the hosts.

It should be mandatory as an artist to live and work in this quiet rural setting. I strongly recommend this magical and homelike place, where you live side by side with other artists and the locals.

Unfortunately, the main positive outcome was the documentation (I took care and paid for it myself) and writing a solo exhibition in my CV. The rest was a very bad experience overall : absolutely no support, lack of communication, no organisation, and no respect of basic safety regulations (as an example : They requested me to unbuild my installation under 0 degrees at 10pm on a 5 meter ladder, after "realising" they were renting their space the morning after for a sextoys company, while the unbuilding was scheduled a few days after. it is, unfortunately, not a bad joke.) It was also not a residency as presented, but just the space being empty for me to install and show my work for 48 hours.

Great studio space to work!

The studio is well-equipped for ceramic artists. You will want to bring your own clay and glazes though, as there is no ceramic supply store in Lethbridge. There is a Michael's walking distance from Casa, and materials can be purchased at the University Store if needed as well. The community at Casa was fantastic and very welcoming! I loved getting to know all the studio users, and the staff at Casa was incredible as well.

The residency provides comfortable accommodations, spacious studios, and access to a variety of print and fabrication shops — all under one roof. The cohort is a thoughtful curation of artists across disciplines who commune over meals and occasional outings. Memphis is a wonderful city to inhabit. I would recommend bringing a vehicle if possible as it unlocks a lot of the city to you; however, the center that hosts the residency is robust and has mostly anything you might need for basic living needs.