Residencies
Browse residency opportunities that give you the space to grow, create and connect with peers near and far.
Last updated on 22 September 2026
Explore structured programmes to create, experiment and collaborate with like-minded artists.
The NAC curates local and overseas opportunities that help you deepen your practice, develop new work and connect with markets, networks and audiences. Find the right opportunity for your practice.
What are residencies?
A residency is a structured programme that gives arts practitioners, groups and collectives — dedicated time, resources and support to create, develop and experiment — often in collaboration with communities, other artists or cultural institutions
Community Arts Residencies
The National Arts Council aims to provide a spectrum of development opportunities for practicing artists to embark on and deepen their engagement with communities in Singapore. This includes providing opportunities for capability building and platforms for artists to encounter and engage with various communities and community stakeholders. NAC’s Community Arts Residency aims to support artists in advancing the field of community arts in Singapore. Through the Residency, artists have opportunities to inquire, develop arts-based collaborations and co-create artworks with the community that will shape communal public spaces and reflect the collective stories of the people.
Residencies have been held at various types of spaces including Taman Jurong, Indian Heritage Centre, Republic Polytechnic and Stamford Arts Centre that allow artists to encounter communities who live, work and play within residential neighbourhoods, educational settings as well as spaces rich with culture and history. Please view the recent residency projects at the following links:
Living Spaces & Beyond: Folklores from My Neighbourhood by Justin Loke
Enchanted Town of Memories and Dreams by Joanne Lio [PDF, 1.86 MB] (opens in new tab)
Of Motifs and Movements by Fajrina Razak [PDF, 161.12 KB] (opens in new tab)
For artists and groups who would like to receive notifications for upcoming Community Arts Residencies and venue owners who would like to explore hosting artists at your spaces, please write to us! (opens in new tab)
Literary Arts Residencies
NAC-NLB Writers’ Lab
The National Arts Council is pleased to present the NAC-NLB Writers’ Lab for up to four writers working in any of Singapore’s four official languages (English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil). A joint initiative by the NAC and the NLB, the Writers’ Lab will take place in NLB’s libraries of the writers’ choice, from January to June 2026.
Applications have closed.
Learn more about the NAC-NLB Writers' Lab
National Arts Council - Sangam House Residency
The National Arts Council partners with Sangam House in Bangalore, India, to offer fully-funded, one-month residencies for up to two Singapore Tamil writers. This programme provides dedicated writing time and space while fostering connections with local arts communities and international literary networks. Writers can choose between November 2026 or December 2026 residency periods, with comprehensive support including airfare, accommodation, meals, and per diem allowances.
Applications have closed.
Learn more about the residency
National Arts Council - International Writing Program Fall Residency
The National Arts Council partners with the University of Iowa's renowned International Writing Program to offer a fully-funded, 11-week residency for up to two Singapore writers. Open to writers in English, Chinese, Malay, or Tamil (with English conversancy required), this programme provides dedicated writing time within an international literary community. The residency includes readings, lectures, collaborations, and travel opportunities across the United States from August to October 2026.
Applications have closed.
Learn more about the residency
National Centre for Writing – Singapore Residency Programme
The National Arts Council partners with the National Centre for Writing in Norwich, UK, to offer residency opportunities for Singapore writers and translators. Participants can choose between a one-month in-person residency in Norwich (July or October 2026, with priority given to translators for July) or a six-month virtual part-time residency (June-December 2026). Both programmes provide stipends and comprehensive support within Norwich's UNESCO City of Literature literary community.
Applications have closed.
Performing Arts - Traditional Arts Residencies
The Traditional Arts (TA) Residency invites individuals, groups or collectives to experiment and incubate a new intercultural and/or cross-disciplinary work with a strong Traditional Arts focus, with plans for international dissemination.
2026 Edition
The 2026 TA Residency will span 4 to 6 months within the period of 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The lead applicant of the project can be either (1) an arts practitioner primarily practising Traditional Arts, with at least 2 years of relevant experience working in the arts; or (2) an arts practitioner with track record of integrating Traditional Arts into their practice and creation, with at least 2 years of relevant experience working in the arts.
The artist-in-residence will receive residency support, including:
A grant of up to S$30,000, which comprises support for:
Up to S$20,000 covering the artist-in-residence and collaborator’s honorarium, research and other relevant costs associated with the residency; and
Up to S$10,000 for Project Showcase expenses;
Mentorship guidance and support by overseas mentor Long Play Lab (LPL) (opens in new tab);
A rent-free (utilities included) studio space at SAC fitted with air-con and lights for 6 months, shared amongst all the artist(s)-in-residence, subject to availability.
Application
The application window closes on 15 July 2026 (Wednesday), 2359h. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Successful applicant(s) will be notified by September 2026.
For more information on the Traditional Arts Residency, please refer to the open call guidelines here [PDF, 561.76 KB] (opens in new tab). Interested applicants may find the application form here [DOCX, 100.48 KB] (opens in new tab)and budget sheet here [XLSX, 137.54 KB] (opens in new tab). If you have any further queries, please contact Amanda Koh at amanda_koh@nac.gov.sg.
Visual Arts Residencies
Künstlerhaus Bethanien (opens in new tab) (KB) is an international cultural centre located in Berlin, Germany. The centre provides residency studios and exhibition spaces for artists-in-residence that includes dedicated individual support as well as opportunities to establish connections between these artists with the wider artistic community and regional context in Berlin and across Europe.
The Artist-In-Residence will receive residency support*, including:
Airfare, visa and travel insurance; per diem for daily expenses and a budget for production and the compulsory post-residency outreach programme (e.g. exhibition, talk, workshop) in Singapore to share research insights
Lease of a studio and living space, basic equipment, tools and amenities including electricity and water
Curatorial, administrative, and technical support from the host institution, exhibition, and publicity services (exhibition sitting, installation and de-installation, logistics, receptions and advertisements, public relations, invitations)
Studio visits, community dialogue platforms, excursions, and networking with local and international curators, collectors, art critics, institutions, etc.
*Kindly note residency provisions above are for reference only and may vary across each programme.
Applications have closed.
Past participants include:
Yang Jie and Tini Aliman in 2024/2025
Ang Soo Koon and Zen Teh in 2023/2024
Shubigi Rao in 2016/2017
Chen Sai Hua Kuan in 2015/2016
Choy Ka Fai in 2014/2015
Donna Ong in 2013/2014
Michael Lee in 2012/2013
Song-Ming Ang in 2011/2012
Chua Chye Teck in 2009/2010.
Find the right funding for you
Explore grants, funds, schemes and scholarships available to arts practitioners, organisations, educators and students.