Post by Andy Giovale, Chicago Dancemakers Forum Communication Intern

Linda Mary Montano in Dad Art: An Interactionarama, May 2019

In 1975, performance artist Linda Mary Montano and sound artist Pauline Oliveros, left for Joshua Tree (CA) on a 10-day trip. Before heading off on this excursion, they decided that everything they did during the trip would be considered art. From cooking to hiking to creating movement and sculptures, every living hour was art, blending their personal life and artistic practice

This article focuses on the idea of a DIY artist residency. When the offered artist residencies are inaccessible, unwelcoming, or just not an option, how can makers immerse themselves in artistic practice, but do it in a way that is compatible with their own goals, lifestyles, capacities, and care?

I would consider Montano’s trip an example of a DIY artistic residency. “The term residency is so wide and I think people are using it to mean so many different things. But most of the time it is time and space for artists,” shared Amy Sinclair, residency manager of Ragdale. The concept is open ended and flexible depending on one’s needs and wants. For example, blocking out 5 minutes everyday to dedicate to something can be a residency.

Erin Kilmurray (2020 Lab Artist) during a DIY residency in southern Vermont, 2021

For this article, I interviewed a few artists to get their ideas on what a DIY time-and-space maker could look like for them. The answers varied drastically. Some artists felt the craving for weeks away, some aimed to accomplish a specific project goal, and some wanted networking and resources. The first step to DIYing is identifying one’s needs. 

2022 Lab Artist Kinarri Vora stated, “For me it’s important to get away from my routine, my routine environment, any kind of pause or removing and getting into a different environment. Even getting an Airbnb can still serve as a residency or a break.” As mentioned in my previous blog post in this series, Kinnari emphasized the importance of alone time and incubation, both elements in her DIY residency. Are you someone who works well alone or do you need others? Amy provided a different approach, emphasizing the importance of other artists and people as part of a residency experience. “Location is definitely important. The people you are around, and the food is important. Everything else…well, see what happens!” 

Ah yes the food! Both Kinnari and Amy mentioned the importance of attending to basic needs, so they do not become a distraction or burden, allowing an artist to relax and focus. The second step to DIY space time making is planning: making sure one has everything you will need for the context and duration of the residency. Is this an intense focus period inside your apartment where you become a hermit for one week? Make sure you have nourishing food and a constructive environment. Perhaps you clean up the space and tell friends and family what you are doing. Maybe no one is allowed to see, and you turn off your phone and devices.

(l-r) Bran Moorhead, Tia Monet Greer, Dee Alaba, Hannah Santistevan, Erin Kilmurray

Or, do you collaborative with others to create time-space for making? Do you travel to a new location, bringing a cohort of artists to a specific place? This is what 2020 Lab Artist Erin Kilmurray did in 2021 when, in spite of COVID-19 and with the support of a Chicago Dancemakers Forum grant, she and collaborators Dee Alaba, Tia Monet Greer, Hannah Santistevan, Bran Moorhead created a DIY residency for one week in southern Vermont.

When asked how he would construct a DIY time-space maker, fellow 2020 Lab Artist Chris Knowlton shared, “The DIY residency that might be I block out 4 hours every Saturday morning and go to the same cafe. That could be a residency.” With DIY, the definition of residency can be molded to fit one’s preferences. Sometimes, working with what you have is most effective and fulfills needs in a longer term way, sometimes identifying needs you didn’t know existed.

Chris mentioned using spaces at his workplace, leveraging materials and space one already has access to is a great way to get one’s needs met without a residency, whether that is access to certain facilities, technical needs, or materials. “Put out the call. Like, I am looking for some space; does anyone happen to have some Marley around? Just reach out to your network. That’s not necessarily the way a residency looks as far as time and space, but you can get your needs met that way.” Chris also encourages others to resource share for the good of the dance ecosystem. “I encourage the more established groups to assist in resources. share them for emerging artists.” Step 3: use your resources! What needs can you fulfill with materials or connections you already have? What can you share with others?

Erin Kilmurray (2020 Lab Artist) DIY residency in southern Vermont, 2021

Step 4 of DIYing is experimentation! Linda Mary Montano certainly was experimenting in the desert and in the process developed her ideas and had important life-art experiences. When interviewed, Kinnari emphasized the surprise she felt at the comfort of being alone. She thought working with others would feel better and be more productive, yet the opposite proved true. Through experimenting, you can better define your needs as an individual and artist. As Chris stated “It can look like a lot of different things” by creating your own residency, needs, and preferences can be shaped to create a space constructive for artistic practices and self care to nurture your life, and to nurture your art. 

Header Image: Dee Alaba, Tia Monet Greer, Hannah Santistevan, Bran Moorhead and Erin Kilmurray, DIY Residency in Vermont 2021, Courtesy of Erin Kilmurray