About Res Artis

Res Artis is The International Association of Residential Arts Centres, a foundation based in the Netherlands.

Its membership is made up of arts centres and artist's organisations that encourage the development of contemporary art and artists through residential artist exchange programs.

Res Artis began in 1993 as a volunteer organisation to represent and support the needs of residential arts centres and programs internationally through dynamic exchanges and  face-to-face meetings.

Within a decade it has grown to provide a critical forum for residency programs, convening meetings and conferences internationally where the exchange of ideas and creative models test cultural assumptions and broaden the world-view of its participants.

Globally it is the largest existing network of artist residency programs numbering over 200 members drawn from more than 40 countries.

Its membership operates artist exchange programs in a diverse number of international and regional communities that range from formal, well-funded government organisations to grassroots artist run initiatives.

Apart from convening face-to-face meetings and conferences Res Artis has two other primary objectives:

• It maintains this web page that acts as a portal of information for artists seeking international contacts through residency programs; and
• It operates a mentoring program that enables new member organisations to become involved in the critical issue of globalisation and inclusion central to the mission of Res Artis.
  

Michael Haerdter, one of the founding members as well as the first president of the network, tells the story of the start of Res Artis.

Res Artis: The Very Beginning

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