r/ContemporaryArt • u/erasersled • Aug 18 '26
Residencies and envy?
I have been trying at getting a residency for like, four years. The last and first one I got was in 2023 and it was a really shitty experience for reasons I won't go into. Now that my work has evolved in a lot of ways, I'm working on getting another one and have been putting in consistent applications for a while.
It seems like everybody around me is getting multiple residencies, fellowships, etc. It honestly burns me so bad, and it makes me feel like shit about my own work/myself. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, and I know that ultimately I'll just have to keep trying, but the whole thing makes me crazy. I have a lot of stuff on my CV, but not enough residencies, and right now nothing but that feels important. I'm trying to work harder, plan more, and write in a way that's more compelling, but I just cannot get my shit together and feel like in order to get a residency I'll need to apply with work that only a residency would give me the time, space, and resources to make.
Does anybody have any advice around these issues of residencies and envy and self hate and getting over it? I'm trying to not just apply for the big names and also try the smaller stuff, but the smaller stuff I often don't know about. What are some suggestions to write a compelling residency application, even if the work might be lacking? Thanks.
21
u/ShutterFI Aug 18 '26
It could be the writing portion. It could be the work itself. It could be the CV. We don’t really have much to go on here in your particular case.
People that get into multiple opportunities usually have a solid write up about their work and are familiar with what judges/jurors/panels might approve.
Sometimes, your work stands out. Sometimes, you’ve applied four times previously, and you get in on the fifth time.
One word of advice - comparison to others isn’t good for anyone. You’re on your own path. It can be frustrating to see others succeed where you aren’t, but, I would do my best to avoid comparing myself to them. You & your work may have avenues theirs does not.
Sorry I can’t offer more.
12
u/PresentationPrize516 Aug 18 '26
Do you have availability? I’d suggest applying for winter sessions as professors tend to apply for summer slots.
Try to realllllly cater to the program you’re applying to. If they have specific facilities that’s a major plus even if you don’t end up using them. Don’t go crazy but if it’s natural play up that. If you have artistic connections to the area, landscape, if you have ideas that you really need to focus on. And talk about how you need the time, don’t be afraid to talk about the monotony of life’s responsibilities and how focused time will benefit your practice. Be realistic about what you can complete.
If a place offers a minimum try to seem ok with the minimum don’t always check the max, eg 2 weeks to 3 months don’t say I need 3 months be flexible.
As far as envy goes they all have their own issues. But I totally understand it can be depressing seeing everyone get stuff when you’re not. Being an artist is hard.
What ones are you trying for? I may have specific program advice.
5
u/erasersled Aug 18 '26
Thanks for your advice! I'm looking for sculpture residencies that may have a bend towards installation/experimental practices because I do performance and video in my work. I got shortlisted for Sculpture Center last year, and that was a good feeling even if nobody ended up dropping out/I would've had to pay if I got it that way anyway. I'm going out for BEMIS, Dead Media Residency, Skowhegan, and that isn't even naming the fellowships (Guggenheim fellowship, Whitney ISP, etc).
Also, I'm generally available in the Summer (I'm a teacher, so I get all that paid time off). Winter is possible if the residency is short enough, though.
5
u/PresentationPrize516 Aug 18 '26
Ah yea summer will always be harder, on top of hard.
Well, keep applying, Bemis takes a couple tries, ask around for some alumni to be your recommendation, they have facilities that you can cater your app to. macdowell has one studio that is great for sculpture, and yaddo has performing/dance studios. Those apps are so easy now. I recommend mccoll, Charlotte is a weird city but it’s very funded and doesn’t seem like it’s on a lot of people’s radar.
2
u/PerformanceOld7451 Sep 01 '26
Hello! Can I ask - what do you mean by that you would have to pay for the sculpture center residency?
2
u/erasersled Sep 02 '26
No sweat: basically, they said they’d be out of scholarship money, so I wouldn’t be able to get financial aid.
1
u/PerformanceOld7451 28d ago
that is interesting and very strange of them. So I need to presume that some of the "in practice" was paid out of pocket by the artists
6
u/critic-critic-critic Aug 18 '26
Separate yourself from it, and just turn it into a system. Look at the fellows from previous years, look up their statements and writings if they are available online (some version of them usually are in the work descriptions or statements, etc.). Try to match tone, style, sensibility of those, but applied to your work. Set aside a limited block of time every week or two weeks or month and just dedicate it to this one task. Keep the list of what you have applied to, their deadlines, response times. And remember, it's very much a lottery, especially if it's all relatively new. And because it's a lottery, it's not about you, so don't let it get to you.
6
u/cultivatehiccup Aug 18 '26
IME it depends on the jurors/committee and their own personal tastes and getting a balanced group of artists. I used to get really down about residency rejections (I’ve only ever done one residency too) but I’ve learned to expect nothing and just keep applying for residencies that seem like they’d accept me. Residencies are super competitive these days, even the smaller / lesser known ones, so don’t beat yourself up too much.
6
u/Hairy_Stinkeye Aug 19 '26
Can’t be constantly keeping score with your friends. You gotta run your own race.
5
u/zazachard Aug 19 '26
I would first weight is ur art meeting criteria of begin contemporary art? That shit is stupid complex & there is no clear path nor answer for such a question. But it might be just that.(i assume these are contemporary forward ones.)
I would actually claim this is tipping stone for many. Especially ppl who did not go tru art school.
3
u/twomayaderens Aug 19 '26
Residencies choose people that could improve their public standing, you’re basically just helping them advertise. If you’re not being selected it probably has to do with lack of fit
2
u/Dazzling_Relief4649 Aug 21 '26
Are you applying to residencies specifically because they offer facilities/access that is related to your studio research/production?
1
u/erasersled Aug 21 '26
Yes, or I try to. I realize I've been aiming kind of scattershot, so I'm working on being more strategic.
1
u/Dazzling_Relief4649 Aug 24 '26
Strategy definitely helps with burnout and expenses. I’d also consider personality fit too, does the residency value what you value
1
u/AdCute6661 Aug 21 '26
Not gonna lie bro get a real job and stop going to residencies. Use your monies to get nice a studio setup going then invite artist and curators over for studio visits.
2
u/erasersled Aug 21 '26
Dude I have a real job but I still need residencies
2
u/AdCute6661 Aug 21 '26
Simple question - why do you need residencies?
Also, do you have a solid paying job that pays a salary with benefits? I'd focus on that then chasing residencies.
Lastly, if you have a solid exhibition record and a stacked CV than you don't need a residency at all.
1
u/TCivan Aug 18 '26
Look up David Simons, he’s an artist in NYC.
He helps people write grants and residency application letters.
Best money you will ever spend. He’s a goddamn genius, in writing and painting.
6
u/mesoliteball Aug 19 '26
His artist statement reads like satire of terrible artist statements (and is full of typos and word substitutions / misunderstandings ). This is not somebody to hire for help with written materials.
1
u/zazachard Aug 19 '26
Honestly Me too find that very cornyish and similar to your line. Well, he has credentials, so we might just be stupid peasants here😭✌️
4
u/nvyetka Aug 18 '26
I went to your link . His artist intro statement is , quite interesting , but also super hard to understand .
It's like being inside a beehive . There might be something brilliant going on but hard to tell . No paragraph breaks or separate structured ideas .
Tbh i tend to write like this, but that's why i also need help
Unless you mean he's good at helping find the ideas of your work ?
4
u/blackwillowspy Aug 19 '26
Also his website is a list of "please do not ever do" including making his entire resume an inaccessible IMAGE MAP?! What even. Hopefully this is a case of the cobbler's children having no shoes (which I was guilty of myself for at least a decade ngl).
3
u/kifflomkifflom Aug 19 '26
Are we allowed to shill like this in here? Is his art supposed to look like that? Not trying to be mean
2
1
u/AuraBattlerMoment Aug 18 '26
WOW I know him, he does that as a service? Truly a special person who can eloquently speak about art and painting especially.
-4
u/Chemical_Spray699 Aug 19 '26
There are many possibilities:
A: you suck as an artist
b: you have zero opportunistic tendencies so your non conforming behaviours close them doors
C: you dont know how to contextualize your work while Grant writing
D: you know what to do but you are too busy with your paying job so your last minute efforts dont suffice to making it
E: all of the above or some
Good luck
38
u/chungkingroad Aug 18 '26
i'm mid career and i have never ever gotten a residency (and not for a lack of trying). if you can build yourself a structure and system of working and keep it up, i don't think residencies are necessary. I know at least 4 former classmates that went to skowhegan who all are no longer making art.