Artist In Residence (AIR) programs are a great way to get time to develop your artwork and bring artistic techniques to school, museum and community audiences. Locations of AIR opportunities are so varied, you can travel to exotic places or just around the corner to an inner city neighborhood.
And do not take the term Artist too literally. Some AIR programs are specifically geared to those who do not know one end of a paintbrush from another. Well, I exaggerate but seriously, there are AIR programs for musicians, photographers, writers, and performing artists among other specialities. Keep reading below if your hobby or professional skill was not mentioned above.
Fulfilling Your Dreams
What is the best part about becoming an Artist in Residence? You can find an AIR program that will fulfill your dream of traveling, helping under-served communities or work with artists at elite academic or resort settings.
The best place to start designing your AIR research is to understand what your lifestyle goals are at this point. You can start by answering these questions.
- Are you wiling to travel? If so, do you want to be in a remote locale such as Alaska or overseas?
- Do you prefer a local site? If so, what type of setting works best for your talent and interests; elementary or high school, college or university or a community center?
- Do you wish to work full-time at this site or only part-time so you can continue your other artist endeavors? What time frame do you have available to devote to an Artist In Residence program?
- Are you willing to accept a stipend-in-kind of studio space, equipment usage or use of a residence instead of an actual paid stipend?
Once you have taken the time to identify which types of AIR programs will suit your lifestyle dream, it is time to proceed to the next step.
Finding the Right AIR Program For You
Next up, how to find an Artist In Residence program that is right for you.
There are many programs and they are world-wide, both grant paying and not. The best way to find a program that is just right for you is to set up a Google Alert for Artist In Residence application so you can see timely information as it published on the internet. Included below are links to two programs which exemplify the diversity of opportunities available.
Also, consider using the free Google Docs Calendar feature to maintain a calendar of application dates for AIR programs that interest you.
If area of expertise was not listed above, you will have to work a little bit harder to find an appropriate AIR program. Your approach should be two-fold:
- Create more specific Google Alerts for your specialty area, to be notified of alerts related to your interests
- Most importantly, be creative in identifying institutions such as schools, museums, and vacation locations that might be willing to sponsor you. You should propose a program that will provide you with room, board, stipend, or equipment usage, whatever suits your lifestyle needs and is consistent with the resources the organization has to offer.
Taking Action
Now it is time to take action if an Artist In Residence program is right for you.
Start by answering the above questions, do a search engine search and set Google Alerts as discussed above. Then submit your applications, following the exact instructions for each program. Also, while you are searching for the right program, be sure to continue building your resume and portfolio of work which you can submit along with your application.
To find six ways to leverage an Artist in Residence program, visit TeachYourHobby.com, which also contains other profitable ways to teach your hobby or professional passions to others.
Two Great Artist In Residence Programs:
Denali Artist-in-Residence and Transartists, an international AIR resource site
Laverne Dee is a faculty instructor who teaches Basic Blogging and Blogging for Business and Profit courses. To receive more great tips on making money by teaching skills you already have, visit TeachYourHobby.com and sign up for the newsletter.
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Copyright 2010 Laverne Dee, All rights reserved.
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