What Happens After You’re Selected: What to Expect During Your Residency
Congratulations! You’ve been selected for the SUP International Artist Residency Programme. Now that you’ve completed the application process and received the good news, it’s time to dive into what happens next. In this article, we’ll give you a detailed overview of what you can expect during your time as a resident artist, from your arrival to the final exhibition. Let’s break it down!
SUP_G 2019 resident artists Grace Gelder and Ceyda Oskay
Arrival and Orientation: Setting the Stage for Your Artistic Journey
The first two weeks of your residency are all about settling in and getting comfortable in a new environment—both creatively and culturally. From the moment you arrive, we’ll be there to ensure you feel welcomed and ready to dive into your exciting journey ahead.
Depending on your travel plans, you’ll either travel with the SUP team from the UK or be greeted at the airport by one of our local team members. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Upon arrival, you'll be introduced to the residency team and taken to your accommodations. You’ll have the chance to unpack, rest, and get acquainted with your new home.
Once you’re all settled in, we’ll kick things off with an orientation session to help you get familiar with the programme schedule and the resources available to you during your stay. We’ll walk you through everything—from your workspace and equipment to local amenities and transportation options—so you can focus on what matters most: your art.
You’ll also meet fellow artists from a variety of creative practices and cultural backgrounds. These initial days are a fantastic opportunity to start building relationships and sharing ideas with your peers. Whether you’re discussing your work or brainstorming potential collaborations, this is the time to start forming meaningful connections with those who will be sharing this journey with you.
If you’re planning any field trips or research excursions, we suggest using this time to get those set up. It is an incredible opportunity for research and exploration, and the first two weeks are ideal for planning trips that will inspire and inform your work throughout the residency.
Pro Tip: Embrace the "newness" of your surroundings! Every detail—the local food, the language, the traditions, and the people—is an opportunity to learn and grow. Take it all in; these experiences will deeply enrich both your creative practice and your personal journey.
SUP_G 2019 Photo by Grace Gelder, field trip to the Khadi Fair
Workshops and Community Engagement: Building Connections Through Art
One of the highlights of the residency is the chance to lead artist-led workshops. These workshops are designed to foster collaboration, engagement, and dialogue. You’ll have the flexibility to choose topics or creative processes you’d like to share, from technical skills to broader discussions about your artistic vision.
Types of workshops could include:
Demonstrations of your artistic techniques or creative process
Collaborative art-making sessions with students or local artists
Discussions on the intersection of art and culture, or contemporary art trends
Not only will you be able to share your expertise, but you’ll also gain new perspectives from students and local artists who may be working in different media or from cultural perspectives that are unfamiliar to you. These interactions often result in exciting creative partnerships and new ideas for your own work.
SUP_G 2019 student group
Support Systems: Your Artistic Community
Throughout your residency, you won’t be alone on your artistic journey. The residency programme is designed to provide you with the support you need to succeed—both professionally and personally.
Mentorship and Guidance: You’ll have access to mentors and advisors, both within the residency programme and at the hosting university, who can offer feedback, guidance, and new perspectives on your work and life in the new environment. This support can help push your creative boundaries and develop your artistic practice even further.
Peer Network: During your residency, you’ll have the opportunity to connect not only with fellow resident artists but also with local artists. This vibrant peer network is one of the most valuable aspects of your experience, offering both professional collaboration and personal connections. The relationships you build here can extend far beyond the residency, becoming lasting sources of inspiration, creative exchange, and mutual support.
Cultural and Emotional Support: Adjusting to a new culture, language, and environment can be challenging, but rest assured, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team understands the unique challenges that come with living and working abroad, and we want to ensure you feel emotionally supported throughout your stay. If you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here for a heart-to-heart conversation to help ease your concerns and guide you through any cultural or personal adjustments. We want you to feel at home, both in your creative practice and in the new community you’re part of.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback or share your work in progress. The feedback you receive from both mentors and peers can open doors to new ways of thinking about your practice. Remember, this is a space for growth—both artistically and personally. And when in doubt, our team is always just a message away, ready to help.
SUP_G 2019 student group
The Final Exhibition: A Celebration of Your Artistic Journey
As your time in the residency comes to a close, the final exhibition becomes a meaningful moment to reflect on your growth as an artist and celebrate the progress you’ve made. It’s not just about showcasing the artwork you’ve created—it’s about telling the story of your creative evolution during your time in residency, and how the local culture, community, and your fellow artists have influenced and shaped your work.
This exhibition is a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished: the techniques you’ve explored, the boundaries you’ve pushed, and the relationships you’ve forged along the way. It’s an opportunity to look back on the connections you’ve made, both with your fellow residents and the local community, and to share your journey with those who have been a part of it.
Your work, displayed alongside the group projects created by students, will serve as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the residency. It’s a chance to see how your influence has shaped the students' artistic paths, just as their work may have left an impression on you. The exhibition is an invitation for everyone—community members, faculty, students, and visitors—to come together, celebrate the creativity that has flourished, and experience the rich exchange of ideas that has taken place over the past few months.
More than just an exhibition—it’s a celebration of friendship, creativity, and the lasting impact of cultural exchange.
SUP_G 2019 resident artists Grace Gelder and Ceyda Oskay
Conclusion: Your Transformative Journey in the International Artist Residency Programme
Your time in the International Artist Residency Programme will be a truly transformative experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a unique environment that blends creative freedom, community engagement, and cultural immersion. Each step of the residency is thoughtfully designed to challenge you, expand your creative boundaries, and offer new perspectives that will influence and shape your artistic journey. Whether it’s through mentorship, the workshops, or the final exhibition, this programme is meant to support your personal and professional growth as an artist.
Pro Tip: Stay open-minded, embrace experimentation, and cherish the connections you’ll make along the way. This residency isn’t just about creating art—it’s about exploring new possibilities for your practice and growing both artistically and personally.
One of the most valuable outcomes of the residency is the friendships you’ll form. The time spent living and working alongside fellow artists from diverse backgrounds will create bonds that go far beyond the duration of the programme. These friendships can evolve into meaningful collaborations, lifelong connections, and a support network that continues to nurture you as you move forward in your artistic career.
The impact of the residency may become even more apparent a few months after you leave. The insights gained, the relationships formed, and the cross-cultural experiences will continue to resonate in your work long after your residency time. Many artists find that the seeds planted during their residency bloom in unexpected ways, opening new doors for future collaborations, exhibitions, and creative breakthroughs.
Ready to explore new possibilities in your artistic journey? The International Artist Residency Programme offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant, culturally rich environment that will help you grow both artistically and personally. Along the way, you’ll discover new perspectives, forge meaningful connections, and create lasting friendships. Your journey as an artist is always evolving—this residency could be the next step in that exciting path.