Arts residencies — dedicated periods of time and space for artists to develop new work, experiment, and engage with communities — are among the most effective investments in artistic development. New Zealand has a rich residency landscape: from prestigious international fellowships to community-based residencies, residencies give artists the time and freedom that ordinary creative practice often doesn't allow.
Residencies provide artists with some combination of:
- Time: dedicated, uninterrupted time to make work without the pressures of daily earning
- Space: studio, workshop, or other creative space appropriate to the art form
- Community: connection with other artists, communities, or specific environments
- Resources: access to materials, equipment, libraries, or specialist expertise
- Income: stipends or living support so artists can focus on the residency
Not all residencies include all these elements — some provide space only; others provide only time. What makes a residency valuable depends on the artist's specific needs and practice.
Creative New Zealand (CNZ) supports residencies through several mechanisms:
Arts Grants — Residency Applications
Artists can apply through CNZ's Arts Grants programme for support to undertake residencies — both domestic and international:
- Support for residency fees, travel, and living costs
- Available for professional artists at all career stages
- Open to all art forms
Creative New Zealand-funded residency programmes
CNZ funds several established residency programmes:
- Michael King Writers' Centre (Auckland): residencies for New Zealand writers
- Randell Cottage (Wellington): New Zealand writing residency in an historic cottage
- New Zealand / France exchange residencies: bilateral exchange programmes
Artist's Allowance (discontinued/restructured)
CNZ previously provided an Artist's Allowance (a stipend supporting established artists to continue their practice) — this has been restructured into the broader Arts Grants framework.
Creative New Zealand — International Residency support
CNZ supports NZ artists to undertake international residencies — recognising that international exposure and exchange enriches NZ creative practice.
Particular partnerships
International residency organisations
Many international residency hosts accept applications from NZ artists independently:
- Vermont Studio Center (USA)
- Civitella Ranieri (Italy)
- KulturKontakt Austria
- And hundreds of other programmes worldwide (see Res Artis — the international residency network)
Regional arts residencies
Many regional arts councils, city councils, and arts organisations offer regional residencies:
- Auckland regional residencies (Auckland Arts Festival, Te Uru, various)
- Wellington residencies (City Gallery Wellington, NZSO, various)
- Canterbury residencies (post-earthquake community arts residencies)
- Regional gallery artist-in-residence programmes
Community and marae-based residencies
Some residencies embed artists in communities — schools, marae, hospitals, prisons:
- School artist-in-residence programmes (often funded through Creative in Schools)
- Hospital and healthcare arts residencies
- Community centre residencies
University and research institution residencies
Universities and research institutions sometimes host artists:
- Victoria University of Wellington's International Institute of Modern Letters
- University of Auckland creative writing residencies
- Research partnerships between artists and scientists
For artists applying for grants to support residency:
Creative NZ Arts Grants
The most accessible pathway for most residencies:
- Open application rounds (check CNZ website for current round dates)
- Applications assessed on artistic merit, development value, and programme strength
- Budget should include residency fees, travel, accommodation/living costs
Emerging artist residency support
Some residencies target emerging artists — with lower fees or supported cost structures specifically for artists early in their careers.
New Zealand Arts Foundation
The NZ Arts Foundation provides grants and awards for established New Zealand artists — some of which support residency-type activity.
Private trusts and foundations
Several private trusts support arts residencies:
- Adam Foundation
- Lottery Arts grants (through CNZ)
- Particular community foundations with arts focus
For organisations wishing to host artists-in-residence:
Funding for residency hosts
Creative NZ's community and strategic grants can support organisations establishing or running residency programmes. Key requirements:
- Clear purpose and benefit (artistic development, community engagement, or both)
- Appropriate infrastructure (workspace, support, community connections)
- Sustainable model — not purely grant-dependent
Community residency best practice
Community residencies work best when:
- Artists are genuinely embedded in the community (not just working in isolation there)
- The community has genuine input into what the artist does
- There is mutual benefit — not only the artist benefits from community connection
- The process is as important as the product
Tahua's grants management platform supports arts funders and residency programmes — with applicant management, assessment workflows, residency outcome tracking, and the tools that help arts funders manage both individual artist grants and programme-level residency investments.