by: Alex Blanco

Art residencies have long been a sanctuary for creative minds —fueling innovation, uniting artists under one roof, and offering a much-needed escape from everyday life. In fact, communities resembling today's artist residencies date back to 16th-century Europe, when art academies first emerged. In 1563, Cosimo de' Medici, Duke of Florence, and Tuscan painter Giorgio Vasari co-founded the Accademia del Disegno, arguably the first art academy. This pioneering institution introduced the revolutionary idea that a dedicated space could profoundly enhance an artist's practice.

Enea Vico, The Academy of Baccio Bandinelli, c. 1561–62, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

By the 19th century, artist communities began to flourish during the summer months in the European countryside, where the natural environment seved as both a muse and a catalyst for collaborative creativity.

One of the earliest modern artist-in-residence programs in Asia was launched in 1964 by Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd. in Tokyo. This initiative invited foreign artists to live and work in the vibrant heart of Tokyo, fortering cross-cultural exchange and creative collaboration.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a significant surge in residency opportunities, marking the rise of dedicated artist-in-residence programs. As globalization took hold during the 1980s and 1990s, these residencies opened their doors to international talent, with institutions worldwide welcoming artists from every corner of the globe. By the 2010s residencies had become widely regarded as an indispensable component of an artist's career. This evolution prompts a compelling question: can you truly call yoursell an artist —or be taken seriously as one — if you've never experienced residency? 

Oskar Schlemmer. The Dancing Artist at Pompidou-Metz. Image courtesy of Pompidou-Metz.

Among the most stories residencies is the Bauhaus Residence. From 2016 to 2019, for the first time in 90 years, the Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau reopenend the Muche/Schlemmer duplex house to young international artists. Abandoned since 1933, this historic space once served as a vibrant hub where luminaries like Walter Gropius, Oskar Schlemmer, Georg Muche, László Moholy-Nagy, Lyonel Feiningerm Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee lived alongside their families.

Left: László Moholy-Nagy, A II (Construction A II), 1924, Oil and graphite on canvas, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York | Right: Paul Klee, Angle bracing in two groups, 1930, 101. Watercolor and pencil on paper on cardboard, Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern

Of course, participation isn't always straightforward. For many artists with families or young children, extended time away simply isn't feasible. Fortunately, some residencies have embraced alternative arrangements that welcome the whole family. A notable example is the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France. Since 1971, the foundation has hosted international artists, scholars, and thinkers for 6- to 11-week residencies —providing furnished apartments, studio facilities, a stipend, and travel funding.

Artist residencies offer invaluable experiences for creatives across all disciplines, providing dedicated time and space to explore, reflect, and create. Nastassja Nefjodov, an artist and researcher whose work examines the emotional aftermath or war-related trauma, has participated in several residencies throughout her career. One of the most remarkable, she recalls, was her time at the Sunnhordland Museum in Halsnøy Kloster, Norway. 

"It was held on the ground of a former monastery, located on an island. As residents, we stayed in the museum itself, surrounded by history. Everything —the house, the garden, the ruins, the 550-year-old ash tree, the incredibly welcoming hosts —was just magical. A very special place to spend time creating," she reflects.

At the time, Nefjodov was navigating deep grief and had not touched her camera in a while. The residency provided a space for her to simple be, without pressure or expectation. "Having the freedom to immerse myself in the environment, without attachment to an outcome or external demands, was not only healing for mepersonally but also helped me rebuild my connection to my camera. It allowed me to rediscover my artistic voice after experiencing profound loss," she shares.

For Nefjodov, artis residencies offer a rare sense of calm and permission to create without justification. The structured nature of residency, she explains, provides an industry-recognized framework for "time for art, time to play and explore," which can be incredibly liberating. However, she also emphasizes that residencies are not essential to being a "real" artist. While the can be deeply rewarding and enriching, what metters most is the practice itself—the continuous pursuit of artistic expression, regardless of the setting.

Left: Nastassja Nefjodov, Into the Blue, 2021 | Right: Nastassja Nefjodov, 2024, Image created during the Sunnhordland Museum's residency, Halsnøy, Norway

Are Artists Residencies Worth It?

For artists —whether painters, photographers, sculptors, or filmmakers —the value of an artist residency is undeniable. These programs provide not only a change of environment and dedicated time to focus on work but also the opportunity to engage with a dynamic creative community, fostering fresh ideas and collaborations.

Choosing the right residency among the many offered worldwide can lead to an enriching experience. Beyond personal artistic growth, residencies often facilitate cultural exchange, allowing artists to build meaningful connection with local communities and traditions. Whether seeking solitude for deep reflection or a vibrant exchange with fellow creatives, a well-chosen residency can be a transformative chapter in an artist's journey. 

If you're condisdering jouning an artist-in-residence program, you can explore options based on location, discipline, or theme at TransArtists. The platform provides comprehensive information on available programs, application processes, an what each residency offers.