Top Art Residencies Reviews 2025
The 10 Art Residencies with the Best Reviews

Yaddo Reviews:

Peggy Riley – Novelist: "Magical things happen all the time at Yaddo. And some of the magic is how Yaddo changes you." Peggy Riley's Blog​

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Anonymous Visual Artist: "The residency though I would recommend to anyone who just wants time to step out of the deadline-driven production run of arts practice and just to get a bit of time to recuperate." How's My Dealing?

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Maess – Intermedia Artist: "Yaddo offers a rare retreat from the logistics of everyday life, a secluded microcosm on its own and an opportunity to meet accomplished creators from different generations. Some of whom will surely become the canonical artists of our times." Contemporary Lynx​​

MacDowell Reviews:

George Sapio – Writer: "An outstanding residency. Studios are mind-blowing (mine had a baby grand piano!), privacy/quietude is perfect, food was so much better than I had expected. Check out the amazing library–which contains thousands of works done by previous and current MacDowell residents." Rate My Artist Residency​

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Anonymous Visual Artist: "MacDowell offers a nurturing environment for artists of exceptional talent to work in peace and collaboration." Reviewed by Artists

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Reddit User – Playwright: "I can't overstate how great the experience was in terms of the simple resources of privacy, no distractions, no choices, lunch delivered, firewood, shared dinner, long walks, and a library of works by other fellows. The days felt incredibly natural, easy and long." Reddit​​

Black Rock Reviews:

Tunji Adeniyi-Jones – Painter: "This is the shit that changed our lives." The New Yorker​

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Abbesi Akhamie – Filmmaker: "If you're not here now, you're too late." Vogue

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Irma Flóra Kiss – Visual Artist: "Black Rock is an alluring destination for artists. Its comfort and quietude lend themselves to deep thought and creative play." Ocula

Casa Lü Reviews:

Kelly Becker – Painter: "I could go on and on about my time at Casa Lü, the whole experience was beyond my expectations on all levels!" Reviewed by Artists​​

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Aremy Stewart – Visual Artist: "My experience at Casa Lü went far beyond my expectations. I've taken part in a number of international artist residencies and none of them can compare to this." Alumni Testimonial

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Eden Chahal – Transdisciplinary Artist: "Staying at Casa Lü Sur was the best I could have wished for... We were immediately immersed in the city’s art scene, and supported in every step. In just 5 weeks I felt at home in the residency and the city, I made wonderful friends, got to research and work on my art in amazing conditions. I couldn’t recommend it more." Reviewed by Artists

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Delfina Foundation Reviews:

Salik Ansari – Visual Artist: "Delfina is one of the most active and lively art spaces I have worked in. It is fair to say that it’s a melting pot of creativity, where people from different countries, cultures, backgrounds and disciplines come together to interact and engage." Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Blog​

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Josh Lu – Artist: "They have been great at making arrangements for me to network with curators, artists and galleries. In my first week alone I was able to meet with Lucia Pietroiusti from the Serpentine Gallery, the members and resident artists from both the Florence Trust and Gasworks." Medium

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Zuza Golińska – Installation Artist: "The energy that is being created between artists, curators, institutions and collectors is something that is very inspiring and can push you further with your practice." Contemporary Lynx

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Skowhegan Reviews:

Anonymous Participant – The GradCafe Forums: "The program for me was intense in that we got along so well, a bunch of us cried at the end of the residency. I miss my time there. I went to Skowhegan right after earning my BFA, and was in a weird creative block. It is hard to explain exactly why, but the experience I've had there continues to have a profoundly positive impact within me." The GradCafe Forums​

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Anonymous Artist – Reviewed by Artists: "I was able to work in studio, receive mentorship from established artists, and be supported to do self-directed experiments. I was given practical advice on the business side of art, and the opportunity to present my work to the community." Reviewed by Artists

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Anonymous Reddit User: "Skowhegan is real, programs with aura tend to attract artists who want to make good work, at least." Reddit

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Bemis Center Reviews:

Marnie Ellen Hertzler – Filmmaker: "Life changing. It literally changed my life. I found a life collaborator in another AIR, and I felt supported, encouraged, and validated in my career." Bemis Center Residency​

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Anonymous Visual Artist: "Bemis is an incredible place. The studios are fantastic and Okada was an amazing place for me to work. I was able to weld 24/7 there and build some really big pieces." Reviewed by Artists

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Anonymous Visual Artist: "Providing well-equipped studio spaces, living accommodations and a monthly stipend to artists who are awarded residencies." Rate My Artist Residency

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Anderson Ranch Reviews:

Christian Rex van Minnen – Painter: "I kind of consider that residency my emerging into the art world." Artsy​

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Trey Hill – Sculptor: "We created a new kind of rhythm as a family that took us through our days." Hyperallergic

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Zachary Keane – Woodworker: "I became friends with all the staff and my fellow residents while at the ranch. My fondest memories are of meals, planning hikes and other activities, and visiting the other artists' studios and seeing what they were working on." Anderson Ranch Arts Center

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Roswell Reviews:

Masha Sha – Visual Artist: "When you have the whole year and you don’t need to worry about bills and things, it’s like your own ocean. You’re in your own ocean." Southwest Contemporary​

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Jane Abrams – Painter:"The year-long hiatus at RAiR provided the artist with time, resources, and motivation to leave printmaking (for the most part) and dramatically recalibrate to painting, an adjustment that literally saved her life." Glasstire
 

Naive-Sun2778 – Reddit User: "It is a great residency if what you want is dedicated time to work. They house 6 per year, each has his/her own 2 bedroom home + 800 sf +/- studio. They give a monthly stipend to help out." Reddit

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Bundanon Reviews:

Lucas Wright – Visual Artist: "I loved being at Bundanon, making art inspired by the beauty of nature and the buildings." Accessible Arts​

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Angie Goto – Visual Artist: "My Bundanon residency allowed me to take a big step forward in my creative practice by having time and space to explore and develop ideas." Accessible Arts

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Ray Monde – Visual Artist: "There’s something haunting, unshakeable about this place." Ray Monde's Blog

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