We are looking for innovative artists with a cool art idea to take up a shared studio residency at The Arts Village over December 2025 and January 2026. The Residency has been delivered in various forms since 2011 and focuses on providing artists with studio space, materials, and a broad brief for projects that offer artistic enrichment for both the individual artist and our wider community.

The Arts Village is a significant community art space in Rotorua with a long history of growing Rotorua through the arts. Our vision is for Rotorua to be a vibrant, creative community, where art makes life good. 

Over the past 14 years, the Open Studios Project has been an important part of our mahi, supporting 62 artists in residence.  At least four artists will be selected this year. 

What is an Artist Residency?:

An artist residency is a structured opportunity for artists to live and work away from their usual environment, often with support like space, time, resources, and sometimes funding. The goal is to give artists dedicated time to focus on their creative practice, explore new ideas, or develop a specific project.

Residencies can vary widely but often include:

• Studio space 
• A set duration (e.g., six weeks)
• Creative freedom with or without set outcomes
• Opportunities to connect with other artists or the local community
• Public engagement such as exhibitions, workshops, or open studios
   

In essence, it’s a chance for artists to step away from everyday distractions and immerse themselves in making, thinking, and connecting.

What we are looking for:

1. Artists with a project idea they want to explore over six weeks in studio residence. We want your project to be something you are excited about, that we can get behind. It might be something exciting or fun focused, to carry out over the six weeks. 

You will be expected to: We encourage you to be onsite at set hours daily, you will be responsible for setting your own schedule. We do want you to make the most out of the studio time and utilise the space (particularly during our opening hours). 

Your pitch needs to include:

1. An idea for a project or focus over the six weeks 
2. Consider social issues, reflect on 2025, or life from a totally unexpected angle. The brief is really open.
3. We want our community to be able to learn about you, your project, and your practice. You will need to have an idea for a set of classes/workshops for the community, run by you. (We do the admin, you do the teaching/facilitation). 
4. Artists must be ready to volunteer for collaborative projects with local community organisations or other local artists in Rotorua.
5. You will be expected to speak publicly, engage in digital/social media, and be part of our community. You will be in a shared working space/studio so you will need to be able to adapt to the environment of the public and other artists. 

Every artist is encouraged to focus on their specific project as part of their art practice over the next six weeks. Attending weekly studio sessions is vital, and artists are expected to actively engage with members of the public on-site.

The residency opening will start with a brief presentation by each artist, introducing themselves and their work while explaining how their ideas fit into their art practice

The Artist is expected to deliver a minimum of 10 hours of workshops for the public.  These workshops will need to link to your project/kaupapa. Workshop prep time is non-inclusive in these hours.  

Four artists will be selected. Each selected artist will receive:

• Six weeks of studio space within a shared studio environment.
• Six weeks of studio support, promotion via the Arts Village Team, and access to equipment resources. 
• A materials stipend of $200 this amount is dependent on funding.
• A living stipend of $2,000 to support your costs during this time. 

Note: Outside of the stipend we don’t cover accommodation, travel, or kai costs. 

Who can apply: You must be able to legally work in NZ and reside in NZ at the time of applying.  Applicants must submit their fully completed online form, on time to be considered.

How to apply: Please fill in the Open Studios Project Application online:

❑ Your proposal for the residency 

❑ An artist bio

❑ Your proposal for the workshops and community engagement that you will do during the Residency

❑ Links to examples of your work

Important Dates:

• Applications Close: 5pm on the Friday 3rd October 2025 
• Panel Interview: Saturday 11th October 2025 between 10-2pm
• Outcome notified by: Tuesday 14th October 2025

Residency Period: 10th Dec to 17th Jan

• Induction Day: Wednesday 10th December 2025 10.30am
• Opening Showcase: Friday 12th December 2025 5:30pm
• Closing Showcase: Friday, 16th January at 6 pm 
• Bump in - Wednesday 10th December 2025 1pm
• Bump out - Saturday 17th January 2026 

Late applications will not be considered. 

We encourage you to ask questions if you have them. For enquiries please contact via email office@artsvillage.org.nz