6 Tips from Women Who Run Residencies
Thursday 28th October | Christie’s
Running a residency is deeply personal. It’s about finding the right fit, adapting, and making space to hold often emotional connections. On the occasion of CURA Art’s The Residency exhibition at Christie’s, 3 panellists came together to discuss the importance of giving artists time away from their usual routines.
Moderated by Katy Wickremesinghe (Cultural Strategist, Founder of The Wick and Patron for The Residency), speakers were Georgia Powell, Co-founder of The Residency, Sarah Elson, Founder of Launchpad, Lena Evstafieva, Founder of Villa Lena and its Foundation).
6 Takeaways:
Residencies as Transformative Creative Spaces: Residencies provide artists with the freedom to step away from daily routines, inspiring unexpected growth and creativity through immersion in a supportive, communal environment.
A Personal Mission Driving Female-Led Residencies: Many women-founded residencies are born from a desire for deeper personal engagement with art, creating intimate and meaningful spaces that reflect the founders' values.
Fostering Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: These residencies emphasize collaboration across artistic fields, sparking richer dialogues and innovative ideas through the convergence of diverse creative practices.
Filling Funding and Infrastructure Gaps: Women-led residencies are often committed to addressing structural gaps, offering critical resources and support to artists amid limited government funding, which helps sustain the creative community.
Creating Inclusive, Safe Spaces for Women Artists: Female-led residencies prioritize safe, comfortable spaces, particularly for women artists, fostering environments that encourage collaboration and productivity in all-women settings.
Supporting Family-Friendly Practice: Recognizing the challenges of balancing family and careers in the arts, some residencies provide family-inclusive programs, removing barriers and making creative opportunities accessible to artists with children.
