By Mat Dubé · Facebook, Twitter, Google+

If you've been following me on Facebook this summer, you'll know that I've been on a tour of 4 artist residencies that is now almost over.  I had intended to post updates about the places I visited and the project I've been working on but it looks like time went by much faster than I thought it would.

If I'm honest about it though, I'm glad I spent the time working on my art an exploring more than on the updates (sorry!).  I've created a whole new body of work and I can't wait to share it with everyone when I get home.  I'm planning a show in Ottawa in the Fall so stay tuned for more details!

In the meantime, here's a look at what I've been up to for 4 months!

By Mat Dubé · Facebook, Twitter, Google+

I've been at Artscape Gibraltar Point in Toronto for almost a week now and wanted to let you know how it's going so far!  This is the first of 4 residencies I'll be attending this Summer and I'm pretty excited about all the time I've managed to set aside to get work done.

It's a pretty cool spot and I'm really glad I decided to apply to this one!  The residence is in a re-purposed elementary school on Centre Island - just a short ferry ride away from downtown and right on the shores of Lake Ontario.  Each artist gets an entire classroom as a studio - it's kind of neat to be back in school with the old chalkboards, drinking fountains and the little desks.  I can't believe how small everything is!  I've also got a nice view of a lagoon full of ducks and the CN tower in the distance.  It's a great place to spend time outdoors too - the residency is a few steps away from surprisingly nice beaches and there are bike/walking paths all around the island.

It's a lot larger than what I was expecting - there are more people (approx. 20-30) doing different types of art and staying for different lengths of time so it's a bit less intimate than Elsewhere Studios where there were just a handful of people sharing a smaller space.  I think this can be good or bad depending on what you prefer, but I've enjoyed both so far.

At first I was a bit overwhelmed by the big empty space, the pressure to make my time here worthwhile and wasn't sure what kind of project I wanted to work on.  I decided to start playing around with some clay a couple of days ago and ended up sculpting a monkey head.  It must have been a subconscious response to an article I read last week about monkeys being shipped to the United States for animal testing.  I love monkeys and it really disturbed me to think that we're still using and abusing such amazing creatures in this way (please read more here).  I don't think this will be a one-off sculpture - I want it to be the start of a bigger project to raise awareness about animal cruelty issues. 

If you have any questions about the residency or my new project, let me know in the comments section below!

Artist-in-Residence programs are an amazing way to give yourself time and space to create, meet new artists, travel and be inspired.  My first artist-in-residence program at Elsewhere Studios last year was a mix of all of the above.  I spent a month in Paonia, Colorado where I had a private room, a studio and my own private bathroom (which is very important for a germaphobe).  I had such a great time and was so productive that I decided to apply to a few more this year. 

I've been accepted into four more programs so far, including ArtscapeGibraltar Point in Toronto, Listhùs in Iceland, Jiwar International Residence for Artists in Barcelona and the Institut für Alles Mögliche in Berlin.  I'll be spending a month at each residence this Summer and will post reviews as I go in case you're interested in finding out more about them.

A big factor that is allowing me to accept so many opportunities is that my wife and I have secured location independent work and can earn a salary along the way.  That said, you don't necessarily need to travel, have a special job or lots of vacation time to be able to participate in a residency program.  There are a ton of opportunities out there for every kind of artist and life situation - whether you want to participate for one weekend or a whole year, whether you want to spend thousands or if you need to apply for a grant or subsidy to help you get there.

These 3 websites have been extremely helpful for finding residency programs:

1. ResArtis - www.resartis.org
   
   
2. TransArtists - http://www.transartists.org/
   
   
3. Residency Unlimited - http://www.residencyunlimited.org/
   
   

The first one - ResArtis - is my favourite by far.  It has a great search function that allows you to narrow down the list of programs to find exactly what you're looking for.  In my case, I look for programs in cities and countries that I'd like to visit, that provide me with space and equipment, offer exhibition opportunities and allow me to travel with a partner. 

Most programs that I've seen on these sites have an application and selection process similar to a grant or exhibition application to determine which artists can attend.  They usually require some or all of the following support materials to apply:

• Application form

• Project proposal or letter of intent
• Artist resume
• Artist statement
• Biography
• Images/samples of your work
• References
• Letter(s) of recommendation

It can be quite a bit of work to complete each application so it's important for you to do your research in advance and focus on applying to the programs that you think will be a good fit for you.

Here are some things to consider when you're searching for a program:

Program Benefits

What can the program offer you?  Make sure you think about what you want to get out of the experience when you're choosing which programs to apply to.  Does the program offer an exhibition, critiquing, networking or training opportunities?  Do they have equipment that you can't access at home or do they provide you with some materials?  You're investing time and maybe also some money into the experience so make sure it's going to help you achieve your goals.

Cost

The cost of a residency program varies massively depending on the organization and the location.  Some are able to pay for your travel, materials and living expenses and might offer an artist fee while others can charge thousands of dollars.  When considering the cost of a residency, be sure to budget for your travel, materials, shipping finished works home, food & entertainment, residency fees etc.  If you're in Canada, the best option for funding all or part of your residency is to apply for a travel grant or residency award with your municipal or provincial art council, or with the Canada Council for the Arts.  Keep in mind that there are also some alternative ways to fund your project.  For example, I've seen many artists raise money for residencies using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter with great success. 

As an artist it might feel strange to pay for residency programs, but the truth is that many amazing organizations can't afford to completely subsidize your stay.  At the same time, some residencies might charge a lot of money and not offer much in return.  If you have to pay a residency fee, do your homework and make sure that you're paying a reasonable amount.

Location

When selecting the location of your residency, consider if you want to be in an urban environment so that you can take advantage of shops, cafes and public transit, or if you want a rural environment that will be a bit more relaxed but where you'll probably need a car to get around.

If you're traveling internationally, look into the visa requirements for the country you're visiting and think about how you'll get there.  For example, to get to Elsewhere Studios I had to fly into Denver, take a 5 hour bus ride to the closest bus station and then find a ride for the last hour and a half.  It was a long trip, but when I got there it was totally worth the crazy trek!  

Community

Think about whether you want to meet other artists and engage with the local community or if you're looking for a more solitary experience.  I really enjoyed my set-up in Paonia where I had my own room and studio so I could create alone, but I could hang out with the other artists when I was done working.

There are lots of things to consider when choosing an artist in residence program but I'm sure that if you spend a couple of hours reading through the exciting artist-in-residence programs on the sites I shared with you, you'll find something that inspires you!

Leave a comment if you have any questions about my experience or if you want to share yours.  I'd love to hear from you!