A Holiday Gift: An Invitation to Focus on Your Art

by | Artist Resident, How to be An Artist | 0 comments

Introducing the Artist Strong Artist-In-Residence program

I’m excited to announce the Artist Strong Artist-In-Residence program, an opportunity for artists of all levels—hobbyists, self-taught creatives, and professionals alike—to dedicate time to their craft and share their creative process.

This year I’m proud to announce we’ve added a $200 no-restriction grant designed to support you in showing up for your art. Whether you use it for supplies or to pay yourself for the time you commit to your practice, this grant is here to help.

Hi my name is Carrie. Here on Artist Strong, I help self-taught artists with home studios who feel stuck with their art move from wondering what’s next to confidently expressing themselves through unique, original art. To date, thousands have joined the community.

👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽 If you feel like gaps in your learning hold you back from making your best art, sign up and watch my workshop, “How to Create Art from Your Imagination.” It’s completely free, and a great way to get a taste of my teaching to see if I might be the coach for you. The link is in the description below.

Today I’m going to explain exactly what an Artist Residency is, how you can use it to show up and share your art, and what is expected of Artist Strong’s Artist-in-Residence.

Let’s get started!

So – What is an Artist Residency?

An artist residency is traditionally a physical space where artists retreat for a focused period of time—ranging from a week to a year—to hone their craft. These spaces provide an opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and immerse yourself in art-making.

Our residency brings this concept online, making it more accessible to artists with responsibilities or limited resources. By working from your personal studio space (even if it’s your kitchen table!), you can experience the same focused practice while engaging with an encouraging and supportive community.

Why a Digital Residency?

One of the core goals of Artist Strong is to normalize the creative process. That includes:

  • Showing that art-making happens in bursts, with interruptions, and in less-than-ideal conditions.
  • Emphasizing that the challenges of making art—no matter your skill level—are completely normal.
  • Encouraging everyone, whether a hobbyist or professional, to embrace their unique journey.

This residency provides a platform for you to share your process publicly, demystifying what it means to be an artist while holding yourself accountable to your artistic goals.

You can see examples of previous residency work here.

Eligibility – Who is it for?

The Artist Strong’s Artist-in-Residence is open to creatives of all backgrounds and experience levels. Whether you’re a hobbyist rediscovering your love for art, a self-taught artist working toward your first exhibition, or a seasoned professional seeking accountability for a new project, this residency is designed to support your creative journey. 

Applicants must be 18 years or older and able to commit to creating and sharing weekly content for four weeks. No prior experience with WordPress or blogging is necessary, but a willingness to learn and engage with basic digital tools is essential. 

This residency is for anyone passionate about showing up for their art and sharing their process with a supportive, like-minded community. Previous Artist Residents who have not yet earned a grant are welcome to re-apply.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who are underrepresented in the art world, including but not limited to: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+IA, and disabled communities.

If you need reminding of our community values and what we stand for, visit our Values page to learn more, which I’ll link below.

Residency Expectations

Participating in the Artist Strong’s Artist-in-Residence means committing to share your creative process with our community through weekly blog posts. Here’s what you need to know:

Content Creation:

  • Write 250–1,500 words per week for four weeks. If writing isn’t your thing, you can record a video (e.g., on Instagram or YouTube) and embed it in your blog post.
  • Share your unique artist journey—whether you’re working on a single artwork, documenting a typical day, or reflecting on your first exhibit or a new skill you’ve learned.

Examples of what you might post:

  • The process behind creating a specific artwork.
  • A “day in the life” snapshot of you and your art.
  • Your experience learning a new material or taking a transformative course (don’t forget to credit your amazing teachers!).
  • Updates on a long-term project you’re tackling during the residency.
  • Again, here are previous Artist Residents and their work.

Logistics:

  • You’ll be given access to the Artist Strong WordPress account, where you’ll create and save your posts as drafts.
  • Each post should include text, photos, or embedded videos and follow guidelines for clear, reader-friendly formatting (small paragraphs of 2–3 sentences).
  • Don’t forget to link back to your website or social media so readers can connect with you further!

Flexibility and Technology:
This residency is an opportunity to learn and grow, and that includes gaining familiarity with technology:

  • You’ll learn how to use WordPress to create and format your blog posts on the Artist Strong website.
  • Tutorials and a space for questions are provided, but this program requires a willingness to navigate new tools independently; you need to format and schedule your residency material.
  • Think of this as part of the creative journey—just as you experiment with materials, you’ll experiment with digital tools to share your work.
  • If technology regularly causes you grief this is not the residency for you.

Showcase and Support:

  • Your posts will be featured on the Artist Strong blog, with weekly email announcements highlighting your journey.
  • This residency is a platform for you to invite others into your studio (yes, even if that’s your kitchen table!) and share the many varied ways artists show up for their work.

The Grant

This year, the residency includes a $200 no-restriction grant to help you show up for your art. You can use it to pay for supplies, cover time dedicated to your project, or anything else that supports your creative practice.

My commitment is that as Artist Strong continues to grow and prosper I will increase the number and amount of grants I offer each year.

Applications include a $5 application fee, ensuring that those who apply are serious about participating. (If the fee is financially impossible email Carrie@artiststrong.com for a no-questions asked fee-waiver). The deadline to apply for the February residency is December 15th. If you watch this video at a later date and want to be informed of future application opportunities I’ll also include a place to sign up to the application waitlist.

As a thank you for applying, you will also receive a worksheet designed to help you tell better stories about your art! Artist Strong’s Story Guide will help you practice writing and talking about the art you create, an important part of showing up and sharing our art.

The Goal

The Artist Strong’s Artist-in-Residence isn’t just about completing a project—it’s about celebrating and normalizing the many diverse experiences of being an artist. Whether you’re a hobbyist, self-taught, or a professional, this program is for you.

Ready to show up for your art? Apply by December 15th for the February residency!

For more details or to share the program with others, visit this link to review the application and apply.

So let’s summarize our conversation today…

Why Participate?

This residency is about more than completing a project—it’s about:

  • Accountability: Consistently showing up for your art and sharing your journey.
  • Community: Engaging with like-minded creatives who celebrate your progress.
  • Professional Growth: Building your artistic CV with a residency experience, a valuable credential for future opportunities such as exhibitions or other residencies.

Important Details

Residency spots are limited, so apply early to secure your place! Applications for future residencies will open quarterly or biannually.

A Movement for Art

This residency is a step forward in redefining Artist Strong. While I often describe it as an art education platform, it’s become clear that we are more than that—we are a movement. Our community champions the importance of art in everyday life, whether you’re a professional artist, a hobbyist, or returning to art after a hiatus.

By participating, you’re not just contributing to your personal growth—you’re helping normalize the creative process, showing that:

  • Taking breaks is okay.
  • Challenges are part of making.
  • Every creative journey is unique and valid.

Let’s show the world what art means to us. Apply now, and let’s make something extraordinary together.

Proudly remember: you are an artist.

Together, we are Artist Strong.

 

 

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