A four-week process-led online residency for artists to develop a project from their own studio and share the research, experimentation and making behind their work.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

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About the Residency

Artist Room is a four-week online studio residency for artists who wish to develop a new or ongoing project from their own working environment.

Rather than requiring artists to travel or relocate, the residency creates a dedicated online space through which selected artists can share their research, experimentation, work in progress and studio practice with audiences through CISTA ARTS.

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The programme focuses on artistic process rather than finished outcomes. It offers artists time, structure, editorial support and curatorial dialogue while they develop ideas, test materials, reflect on their practice or explore a particular area of research.

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The residency may lead to a new body of work, but artists are not expected to complete a finished project within four weeks.

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Who Is the Residency For?

Artist Room welcomes applications from:

• Visual artists

• Photographers and filmmakers

• Performance and interdisciplinary artists

• Designers and makers

• Writers and research-led practitioners

• Artist collectives and collaborative projects

 

Artists at different stages of their careers are welcome to apply.

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The programme is particularly suitable for artists who are interested in sharing the development of their work, rather than presenting only a completed body of work.

Applicants may be based anywhere in the world.

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How the Four Weeks Work

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Week One: Introduction and Direction

The artist introduces their practice, proposed project and the questions or ideas they would like to explore during the residency.

An initial online meeting with CISTA ARTS will help establish the direction, structure and intended focus of the four weeks.

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Week Two: Research and Experimentation

The artist shares research, visual references, material experiments, sketches, studio photographs or early work in progress.

The emphasis is on testing ideas and making the development of the project visible.

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Week Three: Development and Reflection

The artist presents further developments and reflects on decisions, challenges, changes or discoveries that have emerged during the residency.

A mid-residency online meeting provides an opportunity for discussion and feedback.

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Week Four: Closing Presentation

The residency concludes with a final studio update, recorded conversation or online presentation reflecting on the project and its development.

The final presentation may include completed work, work in progress, research material or plans for the continuation of the project.

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What the Residency Includes

Selected artists receive:

• A dedicated Artist Room page on the CISTA ARTS website

• Weekly presentation of studio updates, research and work in progress

• An initial online curatorial planning meeting

• A mid-residency feedback and discussion meeting

• Editorial support for project texts and weekly updates

• Promotion through CISTA ARTS’ official social media channels

• A dedicated newsletter or blog feature introducing the artist and project

• A final recorded conversation or online studio presentation

• Inclusion in the CISTA ARTS Artist Room archive after the residency

• A Certificate of Participation

 

What We Ask from the Artist

During the residency, the selected artist will be asked to provide one studio update each week.

Each weekly update should normally include:

• Three to five images, sketches, studio photographs or examples of work in progress

• A short written reflection of approximately 100–200 words

• And/or a short video or audio update of approximately one to three minutes

• Relevant research material, references or process documentation, where appropriate

 

Artists are also expected to:

• Attend the initial planning meeting

• Attend the mid-residency feedback meeting

• Take part in a final recorded conversation or online presentation

• Provide materials according to an agreed weekly schedule

• Respond to reasonable editorial questions relating to the presentation of the project

 

The format may be adapted where necessary to suit the artist’s practice, access requirements and proposed project.

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What Can Be Shared?

Artist Room can include:

• Studio photographs

• Sketches and preparatory drawings

• Material experiments

• Research notes

• Written reflections

• Short videos or audio recordings

• Tests, failures and unfinished works

• Conversations about artistic process

• Documentation of daily studio activity

• References and source material

The residency is intended to create an honest and engaging record of artistic development. Artists retain control over which aspects of their practice they choose to make public.

 

Residency Details

Format: Online
Duration: Four weeks
Working language: English
Location: The artist’s own studio or working environment
Application deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed on a rolling basis
Residency dates: Agreed with selected artists, subject to availability

Please note that this is an online residency. It does not include accommodation, travel, physical studio space or a production budget.

 

Residency Fee

Applications are free.

Selected artists are invited to take part for an introductory residency fee of: £295

 

The fee is payable only after an application has been accepted and the residency dates have been agreed.

The fee covers:

• Development and hosting of the dedicated Artist Room page

• Two online curatorial meetings

• Editorial support

• Weekly website updates

• Newsletter or blog presentation

• Social media promotion

• Final recorded conversation or presentation

• Inclusion in the Artist Room archive

• Certificate of Participation

 

How to Apply

We would be pleased to learn more about your practice and the project you would like to develop during the residency.

 

Please submit the following:

• Your full name, email address and telephone number

• An up-to-date CV

• A short biography of up to 150 words

• An artist statement of up to 200 words

• A residency proposal of approximately 300–500 words

• Between 8 and 10 examples of your work

• Links to your website and relevant social media accounts

• Your preferred residency dates, where known

 

Your proposal should briefly explain:

• What you would like to explore during the four weeks

• Why the project is important to your current practice

• What stage the project has reached

• What kinds of materials or studio updates you expect to share

• What you hope to gain from the residency

 

Please combine your written information into a single PDF and attach clear, high-quality images or include a link to an online portfolio.

Send your application to:

info@cistaarts.com

Email subject:

Artist Room Residency Application

 

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by the CISTA ARTS curatorial team.

Selection is based on:

• The clarity and relevance of the proposed project

• The strength and development of the artist’s practice

• The suitability of the project for an online, process-led residency

• The applicant’s willingness to share research and work in progress

• The practical feasibility of the proposal within four weeks

 

Successful applicants will be contacted to discuss scheduling, project development, the residency agreement and payment.

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

 

Apply for Artist Room

Develop your project, open a window onto your studio practice and share the process behind your work.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Apply by email

info@cistaarts.com

Subject: Artist Room Residency Application