Rezidans

Rezidans is a term used in Turkish and several other languages to denote residence or living quarters. In everyday usage it can refer simply to a place where someone lives, such as an apartment complex or a residential building. In cultural and arts contexts, rezidans is commonly used to describe an artist residency program—an arrangement in which artists, writers, researchers, or other creative professionals are invited to stay at a host institution for a defined period to develop work, often with access to studio space, housing, and sometimes financial support.

Typical features of rezidans programs include a defined duration, ranging from a few weeks to several months; a dedicated living and working space; access to facilities relevant to the artist’s practice; and sometimes stipends, travel funding, or meals. Some residencies offer mentorship, curatorial guidance, or opportunities for collaboration, while others emphasize self-directed work. Programs may be thematically focused or open to a broad range of disciplines and practices. They often culminate in a presentation, exhibition, publication, or public event, or simply in the completion of a project during the residency period.

Applications usually require a proposal or project description, a portfolio or samples of previous work, and references. Selection is typically conducted by a committee or staff of the host organization and may consider artistic merit, feasibility, and potential for exchange or collaboration.

Across countries, rezidans programs vary in structure and funding, but share the goal of providing time, space, and context for creative production outside the artist’s usual environment. The related term in English is artist-in-residence.