New Art Center: Artists with a world address

by Cori Champagne

Education Director, New Art Center in Newton

Imagine a time and place where the only priority is making art, and you have the key concerns of an artist’s residency. A residency program affords the artist, musician, or writer a period of time and a dedicated space to focus entirely on producing their work. A residency can take place in a remote rural setting, a small community, or a megalopolis. The period of time varies with each program, but whether for one week, or up to six months, artists accepted into a residency program find themselves with the space and freedom to be involved entirely in their art.

An artist’s residency can provide many benefits for the participating artist: a chance to complete a designated project, an opportunity to work collaboratively with a group of people, and often, exhibition and artist talk opportunities at the residency site during the residency period. For some artists, a residency is their studio. I know several artists who have no permanent studio site, and instead spend their time moving from residency, to residency, to residency, working as a kind of artistic nomad, and nearly addicted to the kind of intensity that a residency provides.

Artists drawn to the opportunities a residency affords will have particular interest in an upcoming conference in Boston; The 2009 Conference on International Opportunities in the Arts presented by TransCultural Exchange. For one weekend, April 3-5, over 60 representatives from around the world will present information on their residency programs, answer questions, and offer insights to conference attendees interested in applying for residencies. From representatives of locations as far away as South Africa and China, to more local sites like Provincetown – artists can find out about studios and facilities available to them, potential lengths of stay, exhibition opportunities, and of course – how, and what kind of funding is available for the artists. A surprising number of residencies come with stipend amounts above the room and board offered.

In addition to a series of panel talks outlining short and long-term residencies, teaching opportunities abroad, and arts fairs, the conference also offers mentoring sessions, and topic workshop sessions, such as “How to Find Money for your Dreams” and “Finding the Best Fit: Researching and Applying for Residencies,” and a number of networking events where artists and presenters can meet, exchange information, and talk informally. For one weekend of time spent this spring, interested artists will be provided with enough information and opportunities to keep them globe-hopping for years at a time.

The 2009 Conference on International Opportunities in the Arts is presented by TransCultural Exchange, at Boston’s Omni Parker House, April 3-5, 2009. http://www.transculturalexchange.org/conference_2009/overview.htm
Res Artists Worldwide Residency Network http://www.resartis.org/

Trans Artists International Residency Opportunities http://www.transartists.nl/
The New Art Center is dedicated to supporting artistic creation and education through classes, exhibitions, and public programs. At the New Art Center, we nurture children’s creativity, encourage emerging artists, develop teaching opportunities and enrich the community through exhibitions.

www.NewArtCenter.org

61 Washington Park, Newtonville MA 02160

617-964-3424