Analysing Artist Residencies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Arts
Abstract
Analysing Artist Residencies is a PhD collaboration between University of Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art and industry partners Cove Park, The Bothy Project and The Work Room. The value of artistic practice is notoriously hard to define, especially with regard to its long-term impact, and the artist's perspective is often overlooked. This project will place the artist's experience at the heart, through exploring methods to evaluate the impact that artists' residencies have on their long-term artistic practice.
Research Question: What impact do artist residencies have on individuals' artistic practice, and what value do they bring to communities and the wider sector?
Research Aims:
The project will engage with organisations offering artistic residencies in Scotland (and potentially overseas), using existing data and generating new data to quantify and describe the value of rural, urban and interdisciplinary residencies to artists, the local community and the sector as a whole. Indicative research and outputs may include:
A methodological approach to evaluating and disseminating the impact of residency programmes on individual artistic practice, allowing the value of future residencies to be quantified and illustrated.
Case studies illustrating the experiences of artists participating in the programmes.
A review of similar evaluation of current artist residencies to identify common benefits and impacts.
An event/exhibition/publication/on-line resource or similar, as developed in collaboration with the researcher.
Research Question: What impact do artist residencies have on individuals' artistic practice, and what value do they bring to communities and the wider sector?
Research Aims:
The project will engage with organisations offering artistic residencies in Scotland (and potentially overseas), using existing data and generating new data to quantify and describe the value of rural, urban and interdisciplinary residencies to artists, the local community and the sector as a whole. Indicative research and outputs may include:
A methodological approach to evaluating and disseminating the impact of residency programmes on individual artistic practice, allowing the value of future residencies to be quantified and illustrated.
Case studies illustrating the experiences of artists participating in the programmes.
A review of similar evaluation of current artist residencies to identify common benefits and impacts.
An event/exhibition/publication/on-line resource or similar, as developed in collaboration with the researcher.
| Description | Research Support Training Award (College of Arts, University of Glasgow) |
| Amount | £600 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/R504683/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | Industry Research Partner: Bothy Project |
| Organisation | Bothy Stores Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | As an industry partner, Bothy Project are a case study within my research into artist residencies. I have so far analysed their blog information and generated a bibliography associated to their organisation. I have led the ethics application that enables us to work collaboratively and with support of University of Glasgow's contracts department created a 'Project Agreement'. I have attended three events hosted by Bothy Project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Bothy Project have taken part in three partners meetings, an annual meeting bringing together all three industry research partners and university supervisors associated to the study. Five different members of the organisation have met with me to discuss the organisation and the research project. The organisation have also supported the administration of a survey on behalf of the research. |
| Impact | Annual partners meetings, as listed in Engagement Activities. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Industry Research Partner: Cove Park |
| Organisation | Cove Park |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | As an industry partner, Cove Park are a case study within my research into artist residencies. I have created, with the support of University of Glasgow's contracts department a 'Project Agreement'. I have also undertaken short residencies at the site. I have proposed the research project that will respond to their unique offer/ situation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cove Park have taken part in and hosted three partners meetings, an annual meeting bringing together all three industry research partners and university supervisors associated to the study. Five different members of the organisation have met with me to discuss the organisation and the research project. The organisation has also supported me to stay on site for three nights, on four separate occasions. |
| Impact | Annual partners meetings, as listed in Engagement Activities. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Industry Partners Meeting (2018, 2019, 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | A working group of seven individuals associated with the research meet annually. The working group includes representatives from each industry partner (sometimes more than one). In the meeting we discuss the progress of the research, findings, and next steps. It is question and discussion based. It supports the organisations to feel invested in the research and enables industry partners to form and feel part of a live and dynamic network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Res Artis Annual Conference 2019, Kyoto |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One hundred and forty six delegates from 45 different countries, attended the Res Artis conference, hosted at Kyoto Arts Centre. Titled, Creative Encounters: Reimagining Residencies, the conference programme included presentations, panel discussions, excursions (to local residency spaces and Kyoto City University of Arts) and workshops. I took part in a workshop exploring methods for evaluating artists' experiences, including how to archive residency outcomes. The conference provided an opportunity to network with internationally significant organisations, individuals and institutions. I met Taru Elfving (Artistic Director of Contemporary Art Archipelago [Finland]) and Irmeli Kokko (Lecturer in Art and Society, University of the Arts Helsinki [Finland]) who were launching their new book Contemporary Artist Residencies: Reclaiming Time and Space. (The book is also edited by Pascal Gielen, as part of the Art in Society series). I have since been invited to join a working group (established by Irmeli Kokko) meeting in Helsinki, June 2020 to discuss how practice-based knowledge and academic knowledge could work together to quantify and articulate artist residencies. This was an invaluable connection to make for myself as a researcher, the profile of my research and the work of my industry partners. Res Artis have also expressed interest in me presenting my research at a future conference, disseminating the research to their wider membership. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |