Image courtesy of Oyindamola Fakeye. Image description: A portrait of Res Artis Board Member Oyindamola Fakeye.

It is with immense joy that I address you as the newly elected Chair of the Board of Res Artis. Since joining this remarkable organization last year, I've had the privilege of collaborating with an exceptional team—a group driven by a profound commitment to serving our Members and fostering the arts worldwide through the invaluable medium of arts residencies. Our global board presence has provided a rich diversity of perspectives that fuel Res Artis. Drawing inspiration from our varied local contexts, we are cultivating a platform that is not only relevant but impactful in each and every continent. 

The recent convergence of our staff and board in London for this year's annual conference was a powerful reminder of the significance we place on interpersonal connections, artist travel, and in-person collaboration. As we engaged with of our Members, during the conference, we witnessed the strides taken to make arts residencies more accessible. These interactions became a source of inspiration, driving our discussions on the progress we've made as an organization and the exciting road ahead.

Wishing you all a creative and inspiring year ahead.
Oyindamola F
Res Artis Chair

Image: Convenor Jon Opie (Head of Artist Support,Acme, UK) joined by artists Lisa-Marie Harris (Trinidad & Tobago/UK), Shaymaa Shoukry (Egypt) and crazinisT artisT (Ghana) for 'Mind the Gap: designing residencies for everyone' 2023 Res Artis Conference, hosted by Acme with University College London (UCL). Photograph courtesy of Hydar Dewachi.

Res Artis as an organization and as a collective of Members is devastated and broken-hearted by the preponderance of violence and exertion of political and military power. The heart-rending devastation and destruction taking place across the planet between neighbors and within countries is tragically destructive and in absolute, urgent need of reversing. We firmly believe that, more than any other human activity, art establishes opportunities for conversation—a vital alternative to the current wars of elimination routinely exercised by those blinded by power.

Creating an environment that acknowledges our shared existence and presence on the planet has never been more crucial. Artist residencies hold the power to empower artists to think, create, and engage in ways that overcome dehumanization, fostering unity at local, regional, and global levels. In these sensitive times, we must as a community rise to the occasion, by providing the supportive structures needed for healing and the cultivation of peace.

If you are an artist at risk or are attempting to support an artist at risk, we suggest you contact:

Artists at Risk: https://artistsatrisk.org/
Artists at Risk Connection: https://artistsatriskconnection.org/

Image description: A screen shot of the Res Artis Youtube channel, showing several videos of Res Artis Members and artists. Image courtesy of Res Artis.

To celebrate 30 years of Res Artis we have been publishing a suite of videos to hear from our wonderful Members and the artists they support! Did you know we have 650+ Members in over 80 countries. They range from tiny grassroots arts organisations to major institutions. Go to our Youtube channel to watch today!

Image description: A screenshot from an online meeting with arts professionals from Germany and Res Artis. Meeting participants are smiling at the screen. Image courtesy of Res Artis.

Res Artis Members expressed the need for regional networking opportunities following our 2023 conference. Since then we have begun to initiate regional meetings to identify key needs, issues and developments in the global arts residency field, and will continue to do so in 2024. So far we have met with artists, residency hosts and cultural professionals from Ukraine, Japan, Argentina and Germany. These meetings offer an opportunity for Res Artis to listen. Our findings from the meetings will be used to influence our advocacy work, assist with funding issues and create a more sustainable global arts residency field.

Image courtesy of Res Artis Member BIRCA, Denmark. Image Description: A group of people sitting outside on grass in a circle.

We have been busy at Res Artis, starting conversations with residency providers, artists and cultural professionals to assess the main needs and issues that exist within the arts residency sector in relation to access, inclusion and diversity. The information we collect over the coming months will be used to create resources for our Members, to ensure their programs are as inclusive as possible.Do you have a story you want to tell relating to access within arts residencies? We want to hear from you!

Email our Communication & Program Coordinator Josephine Mead: josephine@resartis.org

Image credit:IImage: Herman's Library in der Akademie Schloss Solitude. Photograph courtesy of Jana Hochdorfer. [Image Description: A close up photograph of books in a shelf.]

Do you have publications or ephemera that you would be willing to donate to the Res Artis Library? At our global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia we have an archive of books and ephemera, collected from valued Members and partner-organisations over our multi-decade history. The collection celebrates the diversity and innovations of the arts residency sector. We are always interested in adding to the archive, to ensure our Member's work, projects, and initiatives can be shared and appreciated for decades to come! We want to celebrate the work done by our Members and the creatives they support. If you have produced or own publications relating to residency experiences and would like to donate to the Res Artis archive, please post any materials to:

Res Artis
44 Glasshouse Road, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, 3002.