Rotterdam is popular with artists from home and abroad. They like to come to our city to live and work, whether for a special project or for general deepening of their art practice. But what is the residency climate like in Rotterdam?
Artist in residence: an artist temporarily stays and/or works in a different environment to create new work or do research. In Rotterdam, there are numerous organizations that offer and provide a total of 32 artist residencies. CBK Rotterdam organized a meeting for these various organizations on November 5, 2024, where they entered into a discussion with each other. What obstacles do they encounter and how do they ensure that Rotterdam remains a pleasant city for artists in residence?
Residences are vulnerable
Artists mainly use a residency to finish work or to get support. Physical and technical possibilities can play a role in this, but also the isolation and the time to finish a project. In addition, a residency offers the artist a unique opportunity to expand his network.
'There is renewed interest in residencies, but the climate in Rotterdam has changed', says Marie Dicker, who conducted research for CBK Rotterdam on the varied residencies in Rotterdam. 'Although residencies are experienced as accessible and inclusive, the lack of funding makes them vulnerable. At the same time, residencies form an important part of the creative humus layer of Rotterdam.'
The right balance
One of the reasons why residencies are vulnerable is their dependence on subsidies. 'A final presentation after a residency is often a condition for funding', says Sander Zweerts de Jong of Buitenplaats Brienenoord. 'But such a presentation does not always give a good impression of the residency and the research that the artist has done. How do you create an attractive presentation that does justice to the research period?'
Funds should be more open to alternative reporting of the residency, many organizers believe. 'It is good if we work together and let the funds know that other forms of reporting for residencies can be more interesting than working towards a presentation as a result', says Jette Schneider of Time Window. 'A residency is about gaining inspiration and doing research, not about delivering something in the short term. The result-oriented approach can actually hinder.' Heidi Vogels of DutchCulture|TransArtists recognizes this dilemma and calls for the development of a new language to validate the residencies. 'Think of terms like 'delayed audience reach', she says. 'That way you can make clear what impact a residency can still have years later.'
A new network
A residency is not only valuable for the artist, but also for the community. However, organizers of residencies find it difficult to increase the interaction between the artist and the environment. 'We would like to create a community in our studio', says Mariana Tolkatser of CORPO, 'but so far we haven't been able to do that. How can we ensure that artists come together without having to do extra hours of unpaid work?'
Providing visiting artists with good information about networks and activities is difficult, because all information about them is fragmented. 'If I were a visiting artist, I would benefit from a shared website and social media where all the information about residencies, their programs and guests can be found', says Leslie Robbins of The Orange Tree art project (TOT). 'That makes it a little easier to make an appointment with other artists.'
Creative housing
Creating new work and expanding your network in Rotterdam is great for artists from outside the city, but they need somewhere to sleep. Housing artists is a big problem for many organizers, although they sometimes find creative solutions. 'We once found a place to stay by simply asking around in our network', says Ivo van den Baar of Nieuw Charlois. 'People with an extra room were happy to have an artist stay for two months.'
Other organizers take a more business-like approach. 'We have spaces that we can rent out and we save the proceeds to house artists for free,' says Anique Weve of DnA Gallera. Donations are another way. 'One of our supporters donated his apartment,' says Sanne ten Brink of Brutus. 'We can house artists there.'
Makers climate
Artists from outside the city can make an important contribution to the creative climate in Rotterdam with their new perspectives. The organizations would therefore like to facilitate this better. 'We have been able to receive artists from outside the European Union and we have seen how fruitful that was', says Simon Kentgens of Het wilde weten. 'It is interesting for both the artist and the community to bring in a truly different perspective. At the same time, it is very difficult: it is expensive and difficult to arrange a visa.'
A regional network that plays a facilitating role between visiting artists and Rotterdam makers would be an added value. 'There are a lot of initiatives in Rotterdam', says Heidi Vogels of DutchCulture|TransArtists, 'more than in other cities. The added value of this must be seen, because every place is a treasure trove that the city can use. An organization like CBK Rotterdam could play a facilitating role here, as a coordinator for example.'
Despite all the good ideas and good will from the organizations, financing remains a sore point. 'All kinds of initiatives disappear because it becomes too expensive', says Dirk van Lieshout of Cool Clay Collective. 'We should talk about how we can make financing less stressful. After all, we all have our own art practice.'
Needs
What are the needs of organizers of artist residencies in Rotterdam?
- More attention to the balance between the production process and the conclusion of the residency.
- New ways to do justice to the value of residencies and recognition of funds in this.
- An overview of all residencies and interesting events and places for visiting artists.
- Affordable options to house artists in residence.
- A (regional) network supported by a coordinator
- More structural financing for the organization of residencies.
Text: Wilke Martens