Looking to attend a Malaysian Artist Residency? Here’s the rundown on what you need to know to prepare for one.
By Kay Lynn Chua
Art residencies are programmes in which artists reside at a specific place for a period of time to work on their art. It gives creatives a place to push their artistic boundaries and evolve their practice in a new environment. As for the creative spaces that hold these residencies, the in-depth relationship they build with the artist over the course of the programme presents them with the opportunity to represent the artist, stay in touch with current artist trends, and possibly sell the work artists created during the programme.
Although there are a handful of residencies in Malaysia, no two art residencies are the same. If you are an artist looking to apply to a Malaysian Art Residency, here is some advice for planning your artistic journey.
Why should artists embark on a residency?
Artist-in-residence programmes provide artists with the opportunity to live and work in an environment outside of their usual studio practice. Such programmes give the artist time to produce new artwork, experiment with different materials, and explore new locations to really hone their work. In other words, each residency an artist embarks on will broaden the way they see their art.
If you are looking for time to reflect, research, or produce new work, then an art residency is definitely something you should consider applying for.
Where can I find Malaysian Artist Residencies?
Be on the lookout for galleries, private institutions, or experimental spaces that may hold residencies from time to time. You can do this by following the social media handles of these spaces or checking their respective websites from time to time for their latest updates. Alternately, don’t be shy to pick up the phone to ask if a space offers these programmes!
There are a few long-running artist-in-residence programmes in Malaysia, such as:
How do I choose which residency is right for me?
Each programme, large or small, established or experimental, self-funded or granted, is never the same. Factors such as working periods, grants, application, and environment differ enormously from programme to programme. That said, as each programme varies, so do the artists.
Before applying to any art residency, take the time to figure out what you are looking for as an artist before learning about a residency’s mission. For example, is the residency fully sponsored or is there a fee to be paid? Are there additional demands that are required from the artists? Taking this time to envision yourself will help you wean out residencies that don’t cater to your needs.
Here are some questions to ask your creative self:
- How much time am I willing to spend being an artist-in-residence?
- Am I more comfortable working alone or with other artists?
- Are there limitations to the physical environment that might affect me or my work?
- In terms of language and culture, what are my boundaries?
- Financially speaking, how much am I willing to spend on a residency? Can I find sponsorship or funding for the programme?
How do I make the most out of my residency?
Whether you are applying to an artist residency or have already been accepted, it is important that you set certain goals that you would like to accomplish during your time there. Here is a simple anagram to help you accomplish your milestones:
Image credit: indeed.com
How do I prepare for my residency?
As you get ready to embark on your artist residency be sure to read the programme’s terms and conditions so that you will know what to bring. Some important categories to consider are clothes, studio supplies, food, and personal items:
Clothes
Less is more. Since you will spend the majority of your time working, it is important to pack a less-than-loaded luggage. Make sure you have:
- Studio uniforms (clothes to work in)
- A normal outfit: clothes that don’t have paint or are not flaking with clay
- Meeting clothes: semi-formal outfit to wear to a gallery opening or museum
- Umbrella
- Flip flop and closed toe shoes
- Laundry essentials
Image by pch.vector on Freepik
Studio Supplies
Check your residency handbook for details on what supplies you will have access to. If your creative practice requires materials that are not provided, bring them with you. Here are other useful items to pack:
- Laptop, charger, usb
- Business cards or resume
- Multipurpose pocket tool
- Empty containers, rolls of tape, anything crucially essential to your practice
Food
Different residencies have a different approach to boarding. In any case, it is important to pack some food from home to make your stay a lot smoother:
- Snacks
- Essential groceries you normally use
- Cooking Utensils
- Sandwich bags/clips
- Spices
Personal Items
Bring these important documents to your residency:
- Insurance documents, ID, passport, drivers license.
- Residency information, your acceptance letter, directions, their contact info.
No one can tell you exactly how the artist residency experience will be. However, if you are itching for a place to create work, make new connections, and open yourself up to the local art scene, then applying for a Malaysian artist residency is a path you should strongly consider. This creative adventure is not to be missed!
A fine art graduate, Kay Lynn Chua splits her time between being an artist and running her own business, ‘Private Art Lessons KL’, in Kuala Lumpur.