ACA Membership is open to any organization or program whose primary purpose is supporting artists in the development of their work. There are two types of membership within our network:

Organizational Membership

For artist residency programs of any size, budget, or model—whether hosting artists is your organization’s primary mission or one program within a larger institution. Organizational members are at the core of the ACA network and have full access to all member benefits.

We define a residency as a program that provides dedicated time and space for artists and makers to develop new work, selects artists through a defined process, and welcomes them “in residence” for a set period. Beyond that, the form can vary widely: retreat or studio, discipline-specific or open to all creative practices, urban or rural, in-person or virtual/hybrid. What unites them is a shared commitment to supporting artists in the making of new work.

Affiliate Membership

For organizations that directly partner with or work in support of artist residency programs—think funders, arts service organizations, and university programs. Affiliate members connect with the field and have access to ACA’s resources and programming but cannot post residency profiles or residency opportunity calls in the Directory. (All members can post job listings.)

There are other ways to connect with ACA if membership isn’t the right fit.  We welcome artists, researchers, funders, and other field supporters into our broader community through programming, resources, and advocacy efforts. (Sign-up for our artist opportunities newsletter and follow us on social media.) 

ACA Members have access to a range of services and programs: 

• Connectivity + Networking: Members connect with peers across the residency field and the broader arts sector through programming and Affinity networks (member-driven groups organized around region, programmatic focus, organizational role, and identity).
• Knowledge-sharing + Trainings: Members have access to all of ACA’s free virtual programming including #ResidenciesConnect sessions, Field Conversations, and affinity group gatherings. Members also receive discounts on paid programming, including workshops, the Evolving Program Institute, and ACA Conferences.
• Visibility: ACA promotes member residency opportunities and open calls through our monthly Residency Opportunities newsletter (27k+ subscribers), online Directory, and social media. 
• Resources + Staff Support: Members have access to field research, practical resources, and staff support to help develop and advance their programs.  
• Advocacy: ACA advocates for just and generative environments for artists worldwide collaborating with cultural partners to deepen resources for the field and bringing member stories of impact to funders and policy makers.
• Consulting: ACA consults with established and emerging residency programs, as well as foundations and others seeking to partner with residencies, to help them build new programs, understand current approaches, and navigate challenges.
• Grant Eligibility: Members are eligible to partner with ACA as part of our consortium and regranting programs.

There is no cost associated with ACA Membership.

ACA is a values-based network. As of January 2025, ACA no longer requires annual dues. Instead, membership is rooted in shared values and practices that shape a more inclusive, just, and joyful residency field. This change is part of our ongoing work to reduce barriers to participation and ensure that belonging in our network is not determined by an organization’s ability to pay.

There is no cost associated with ACA Membership.

Members are asked to affirm ACA’s shared values and commitments annually. Affirmations are a guide to key values of the network that support artists and organizations—these affirmations ask that member residency programs: 

• have a clear understanding of the cost of hosting an artist-in-residence, and that cost is at least partially subsidized for the artist (e.g., the artist is not simply paying “rent” for their time in residency);
• are transparent about what is being offered at each stage of the application and acceptance process—including clear information on the nature and condition of facilities, accessibility of the site/program, expectations of artists while in residence, and any compensation or financial support;
• provide a designated staff contact to assist and support artists while in residence;
• ensure conditions for artists to feel welcomed and cared for including clean and comfortable accommodations and basic needs met; and 
• organize a thoughtful and well-planned orientation to both the facilities and neighboring communities where artists will be residing.  

We recognize that not every program will meet every expectation perfectly, or all at once. What we ask of our Members is a genuine commitment to these values and a willingness to continue working toward them. We’re here to support each other along the way; this field is something we can only build together.

You can still be a part of our network! Membership is not a requirement to access many of ACA’s resources, including the ability to search the Directory for opportunities, subscribe to our newsletters (including our monthly Residency Opportunities dispatch), access field research and resources on our website, and more. 

Our Member programming is designed for the people who run, staff, and support residency programs or organizations that directly partner with/support residencies (funders, universities, etc.). If that’s not you, we hope that what you need to support your work is already freely available here. If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to members [at] artistcommunities.org.