Unexpected Places You Can Host an Artist Residency
You don’t need a large institution, a beautiful campus, or the “perfect” studio complex to start an artist residency. Some of the most meaningful programs begin in small, creative spaces with thoughtful hosts who simply want to support artists.
At its core, an artist residency is about offering artists something many struggle to find in their daily lives: time, space, and permission to focus on their creative work. That space might be physical, but it can also be temporal or communal. Even something as simple as two dedicated hours a week can create a powerful container for creativity.
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a residency but felt like you didn’t have the right resources, it may help to expand your definition of what a residency can look like. Here are a few unexpected places and formats that can work beautifully.
Online Residencies
One of the most accessible ways to begin a residency program is online.
In Nurturing Creativity, I spoke with two residency directors who run entirely virtual programs. They shared that online residencies can be surprisingly powerful when designed with intention. Artists meet regularly through video calls, share progress with one another, and participate in group discussions, critiques, or collaborative prompts.
The benefits are significant. Startup costs are low, there are no housing logistics to manage, and artists from around the world can participate. For artists with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or limited travel budgets, online programs can provide opportunities that traditional residencies cannot.
An online residency might include weekly gatherings, artist talks, studio visits, or quiet co-working sessions where everyone simply logs in and works together. Even though participants may be physically distant, the shared commitment to creating during that time can build a strong sense of community.
Residencies in Public Parks
Nature has long been a source of creative inspiration, and parks can offer an incredible setting for a residency.
A park-based residency could be structured very simply. Artists gather at a specific park on a designated day each week and treat the landscape as their shared studio. Painters might work en plein air, writers might settle under trees with notebooks, and photographers might explore changing light and seasons.
Some programs also include optional sharing sessions at the end of each gathering where artists talk about what they explored that day. Over time, the park itself becomes part of the creative dialogue, shaping the work and connecting artists to place in a meaningful way.
Vacant Storefront Residencies
Empty storefronts in small towns and cities are often overlooked opportunities.
Property owners frequently appreciate temporary creative uses for vacant spaces because they bring life and activity to otherwise quiet areas. Artists can transform these spaces into temporary studios, collaborative workspaces, or pop-up creative hubs.
Sometimes these arrangements can be negotiated for little or no cost, particularly if the artists agree to host open studio hours or small exhibitions that invite the public inside.
For artists, working in a storefront setting can be energizing. The visibility creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations, community engagement, and unexpected connections with neighbors and local businesses.
Library or Community Center Residencies
Libraries and community centers already serve as gathering spaces, making them natural partners for creative programming.
A residency in a library might include a small workspace for the artist along with opportunities to offer talks, workshops, or demonstrations for the public. Writers, illustrators, and book artists often thrive in these environments.
Community centers can offer similar opportunities, especially when programs are designed to engage local residents. Artists might create work inspired by the neighborhood, collaborate with community members, or simply offer a visible presence that celebrates creativity.
Backyard or Home-Based Residencies
A spare room, a small studio, or even a corner of a garden can become the foundation for a residency program. These intimate settings often foster meaningful connections between hosts and visiting artists.
Home-based residencies can be especially appealing for artists seeking a quieter environment and a slower pace. The experience often feels less institutional and more like being welcomed into a creative household.
Small Containers Can Be Powerful
It’s easy to assume that residencies need large budgets, staff, and infrastructure. But many successful programs begin with something much smaller: a clear intention to support artists.
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Many of the ideas shared here are explored more deeply in my book Nurturing Creativity: A Guide to Building Your Artist Residency and Cultivating Creative Community
Inside the book you'll find practical guidance, real-world lessons from running The Verdancy Project, and thoughtful approaches to designing spaces where creativity can truly flourish.