The Flax Art Studios International Residency programme provides artists based outside of the UK with the opportunity to work in Belfast for a period of up to three months, providing short term studio and living accommodation for artists visiting from abroad. The International Residency Programme was established in 1994 and hosts a minimum of three residencies per year funding permitting. To date Flax Art Studios has hosted artists from Australia, Canada, United States of America, Columbia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Iceland, India, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Lithuania, Spain and Sweden.

One of Flax Art’s Studios is dedicated to the residency programme, while the remaining seventeen spaces are rented to Belfast based artists. Together with Flax Art’s programme of artist led talks, exhibitions and outreach activity, the residencies provide artists with an environment that encourages social engagement. The residency programme has established itself firmly in the heart of Belfast as a result of particularly welcoming artists who are prepared to connect broadly with for example the debates emerging from the post-conflict aspect of the city. By its nature, the International Residency Programme has opened up a range of possibilities for artists and arts organisations in Belfast. Over the years, a number of partnerships have been developed and these have led to residencies, exchange programmes and an increased international awareness of Flaxart Studios as a challenging residential facility for emerging and established artists.

• Exchange: Visiting artists spend up to three months alongside a group of Belfast based artists. Visiting artists are encouraged to make links with other artists, organisations, students and arts professionals in London as a means of establishing a mutual exchange of ideas.
• Support: While Flax Art Studios does not provide full time artistic assistance, the residency programme offers a strong level of administrative and creative support, Flax Art Studios Board members and Studio Manager are keen to discuss works in progress and assist in sourcing materials, offering local knowledge, contacts and creative input.
• Development of Practice:Outside of the constraints such as commissions, day jobs and deadlines. This residency will offer artists the time, space and resources to experiment with their work and try new approaches. Through looking at Belfast’s art scene and being in a new context, artists can take away ideas and perspectives that will inform the development of their practice.