Potential Application Questions
When it comes time to creating your residency application you do not need to reinvent the wheel. The most important aspect to remember is to ask questions that allow you to get to know your applicants to see if they would be a good fit for your program. In addition to the basics, name, email, website, etc. here are 15 practical questions you can use or modify to fit your program.
Here are 15 practical, experience-based residency application questions:
Why do you feel you are a strong candidate for this residency at this point in your career?
Describe a time when you worked independently for an extended period. How did you structure your time and stay accountable?
Tell us about a collaborative project or community experience. What role did you naturally take on?
What specific project or body of work do you plan to pursue during your residency time, and why now?
How do you handle creative blocks or unproductive stretches when working away from your usual environment?
Describe your studio practice, what does a typical working day look like for you?
Have you participated in a residency, retreat, or intensive before? What did you learn about yourself as a working artist?
What materials, equipment, or studio conditions are essential to your practice?
How do you manage your time when given unstructured space to work?
Describe a project you completed under constraints, limited time, resources, or space. How did you adapt?
What do you hope to contribute to the residency community while you are here?
How do you typically receive and integrate feedback on your work in progress?
Are there any physical, dietary, or accessibility needs we should know about to support your full participation?
What is your experience working in a shared living or working environment with other artists?
Is there anything about your current life circumstances, family, teaching, employment that would affect your availability or focus during the residency?