Residency applications: how to convince the jury
Residencies grant time and space — not project funding in the narrow sense. Understand that in your application and you'll apply differently. And better.
The central difference from a classic working grant: a residency ties the funding to a specific place, often with a studio, sometimes with accommodation. The application therefore has to convince not only about what will be made, but why it should be made in exactly this place.
What residency juries actually want to read
- Why THIS place? The most common reason for rejection is the interchangeable application. Name concretely what the place/context changes for your work — the landscape, the local scene, an archive, a specific material on site. An application that would fit ten different residencies word for word loses against one visibly written for exactly this programme.
- What do you plan — realistically? A project that is tangible within 6–12 weeks beats the world project. A clearly bounded milestone convinces more than a plan that obviously needs more time than the residency offers.
- What do you bring? Many houses live from exchange: openness to open studios, talks, community counts — especially at residencies that deliberately host several artists at once.
Structure of the application
Most residency applications consist of the same four parts, even if the exact form varies:
- Motivation/relation to the place — why this residency, why now.
- Project outline — what should be made during the stay, realistic for the given duration.
- Portfolio — usually as a link rather than a PDF attachment (see below).
- CV and possibly references — one or two contacts who can vouch for you.
Practical preparation
- Portfolio link instead of a 40-MB PDF — international juries open links more readily than they download large attachments. (Portfolio guide)
- Ask for references early — many programmes require 1–2 names, and referees need lead time to respond promptly.
- Check the budget: travel costs/material money are not covered everywhere — it's in the directory entry under funding amount, otherwise ask the funder directly.
- Insurance for abroad — clarify before you go (liability + health). (Insurance guide)
After the acceptance: what comes next
An acceptance is only the start of the organisation — travel, possibly a visa, insurance, and the question of how life at home keeps running during the stay (studio, mail, ongoing commitments). Sort that out early and you can focus on the work on site instead of logistics.
Frequently asked questions
How does a residency application differ from a working grant?
A working grant supports your practice independent of location; a residency is tied to a specific place of stay. The application therefore additionally has to justify why exactly this place matters for the project.
Does the project have to be finished during the residency?
A finished work is rarely required — most programmes expect a clearly outlined milestone that fits the duration of the stay, not a completed final result.
What if I have family or fixed commitments at home?
Many residencies offer shorter formats (a few weeks), not only multi-month stays — checking the exact duration of the individual call is worth it before applying.
Can I apply to several residencies at the same time?
Yes, that is common — with overlapping periods, communicate early and transparently with the funders if you receive several acceptances.
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