Things have been a little quiet in the studio - I’ve been raising a baby!
Now that I’m a parent, my studio practice has changed completely. One of the biggest adaptations has been finding family-friendly residencies. International travel is off the books for a few more months (if not years).
While being a new parent presents its challenges, being a new parent artist includes child-proofing the studio (or moving out altogether in my case), finding a way to balance time and energy for my practice, and picking and choosing my events (anything after 6 PM/bedtime is hard to go to these days).
However, having a child has been a huge creative boon and I feel so energized to work on new mediums, especially non-toxic ones. Brain fog and lack of sleep make creative spurts precious; when I have an idea, I don’t think twice about executing it. I absolutely love being a parent in ways that I never imagined.
So, hang in there. Here is a list of parent-friendly residencies and resources.
1. Artist Residency in Motherhood (remote)
From the website: “A self-directed, open-source artist residency to empower and inspire artists who are also mothers.
You don’t have to apply. It doesn't cost anything, it's fully customisable, and you can be in residence for as long as you choose. You don't even have to travel, the residency takes place entirely inside your own home and everyday life. An Artist Residency in Motherhood is the reframing of parenthood as a valuable site for creative practice, rather than an obstruction to be overcome.
On this website you can read more about how the residency began, become an artist-in-residence-in-motherhood or join the mentorship program.”
2. Interlude Artist Residency (Hudson Valley, NY)
Interlude offers residents a studio and a living space that can accommodate families. We provide several prepared meals each week and a modest stipend that can be used for transportation, childcare, food, or materials. An on-site coordinator manages logistics so artists can focus on their work.
Interlude is set in the thriving Hudson Valley arts community and residents will have the opportunity for studio visits with notable area artists and arts professionals.
3. Kala Art Residency (Berkeley, CA)
From their website: “We recognize that each artist-family has its own set of challenges when seeking a residency program. Families with multiple children of varying ages have different needs than families with older, more independent children. By offering a flexible residency experience in addition to our standard residency programs, we hope to create multiple entry points for artists to create artwork amidst the ever-evolving and diverse demands of family life. The Parent Artist Residency Program at Kala is generously supported by the Sustainable Arts Foundation (SAF). Since 2021, one Fellowship Award each year is designated for a parent artist. To date, Kala has offered 10 rounds of Parent Artist Residency Awards!
In partnership with the Sustainable Arts Foundation, one of our six fellowships is designated for a parent artist (with a child under 18 at home); we will also offer two Parent AIR Program residencies. If you check the box under Question 13 in the fellowship application, you will be considered first for the Fellowship; if you do not receive the Fellowship, you will be also considered for the Parent AIR program residency. Parent AIR Program offers Bay Area artists an individual residency plan with up to $1000 worth of services that cover a Kala residency, classes, Camp Kala, or other onsite youth art programs for their children, or consulting with Kala staff about professional development opportunities.”
From their website: “The Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency (EMAR) program by Collar Works is designed to provide a diverse group of emerging and established artists an immersive, supportive, productive, and communal atmosphere for art-making and dialogue on a bucolic 77-acre farm in Washington County.
The residency program aims to create opportunities for artists to take risks and develop new work across many art forms, primarily visual and literary arts, while engaging in meaningful dialogue with fellow residents and arts professionals.
Elizabeth Murray believed that each person deserves an opportunity to make their art and for their art to be visible on equal platforms. Our residency program responds to the critical needs of emerging artists and artists as parents, while striving to build a program that reflects the rich cultural environment of today through an active commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.”
From their website: “Professional visual artists 21 years of age or older, involved in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, digital media and installation are invited to apply. Grants are not made in the disciplines of performance art, writing, music or production crafts.
The studios are large, open spaces that measure approximately 30 'x 25 'x 10'. These areas are well-lighted and convertible to the artist's requirements. Artists are housed in a complex of six houses and 8 studios located on fifty acres of land. Each artist is provided with a house that can amply accommodate either a single person or a family. Rent, utilities (except telephone), repairs and maintenance costs are borne by the Program. Houses are furnished with major furniture items, appliances, and utensils within reason. The compound also has specialty workshops: printmaking studio (stone litho/etching), digital media room, woodshop, welding shop, and ceramics studio. Residents have full use of these facilities and are expected to help maintain them.”