Marking Criteria
All residency submissions are scored on the following criteria:
– Quality of work
– Strength of application
– Impact on practice.
In the majority of cases where partner organisations are involved, each partner will mark
independently, to ensure there is no bias from any organisation. Scoring is sent to VAS at the
end of the process to add together and the highest overall scoring applicant is awarded the
residency. If there are any ties in scoring an additional joint meeting may be called to
discuss. Each section is scored between 0 and 5.

Quality of work:
Marks are awarded based on the 6 images included in your application pdf – images in
website links and social media will not be taken into account. We are looking for work that
demonstrates strong artistic capability and creativity, regardless of the medium. Being able
to demonstrate a clear artistic style is beneficial.
Tailoring the images of artworks based on the recent bodies of work that are relevant to the
area you wish to focus on during your residency is also recommended, as it helps the
selection committee envision what you will use the residency to produce. We ask that all
images be within a 3 year time period unless there is a specific reason why some need to be
older, for example if you are returning to an area of focus previously worked on.

Strength of application:
This section focuses on your answers to the application questions. We are looking for
detailed and specific answers that prove the artist has researched the location/residency and
linked it to their practice, as well as proof that the artist has thought through what ideas they
intend to explore whilst away. Avoid being vague and talking about things that are completely
unrelated to your art practice/ the residency location.
We focus on the content of your answers more than how they are written, however
responses where spelling and grammar mistakes limit the legibility of the text will be marked
down.
Try to stay away from generic statements such as, ‘I want to immerse myself in the
landscape’, or ‘time away from my usual location would be invaluable’. Be as specific as you
can be about where the residency is based and the areas you would like to look at, this
could be particular locations, geological features, history or cultural factors, and please take
into consideration the culture and community where the residency is located.

Impact on practice:
We want to understand how this specific residency will further your artistic practice. We want
to see evidence that this location or the materials/facilities provided at the residency will
have a tangible impact on your work that couldn’t be achieved elsewhere. Specificity is your
friend!
It may help to see a residency as an answer to a question or problem,what problem are you
trying to solve that the residency may be able to help answer? This could be about the
specifics of a place in relation to your practice, or focused time working on a particular issue,
and how the residency would help you progress into the next stage of development.

A breakdown of the Application questions

Artist statement
Your statement should be a summary of your artistic practice. Relevant information to
include is where your artistic practice is currently based, the mediums you work with, what
themes you tend to explore within your work, relevant education, relevant/recent artistic
projects, relevant awards.
Please avoid providing personal information/ talking about life events that are completely
unrelated to your art, and please do not include an image of yourself unless it is part of an
artwork, in order to avoid any unconscious bias by any selectors.
Please do not provide a CV if it has not been asked for.

Why would you like this opportunity:
This should be focused on why you want this specific residency. What will it provide you with
in terms of materials/ facilities/ inspiration/ heritage/ location? Avoid generalisations, in
particular try to avoid revolving your answer around having the ‘time and space to focus on
your art’.
We want you to demonstrate that the residency will provide something you need for your
practice that will develop it.

Outline how you think the residency will inform or impact your practice
We are looking for evidence of this residency having a tangible impact on your artistic
practice. Focus on linking the residency to your creative process and your artwork, and how
you think the residency will progress and develop this.

How would you document and share your experiences?
This does not need to be an elaborate description. Again, we are looking for proof that you
have thought about how you plan to document and reflect on your time at the residency. You
will be required to complete a feedback form once the residency is complete, and we may
offer an instagram takeover.