Report: mapping artist-in-residences in Rotterdam

The aim of this research (published in 2025) was to make an inventory of the AIRs, find out how they function and what their needs and bottlenecks are. The results are presented here (in Dutch) and are a snapshot of the last quarter of 2023. Twenty-one organisations were interviewed. Several of these have multiple AIR programmes (approximately 32 in total).

In general, the smallest groups depend on project grants or other income such as (room) rentals. The larger organisations have more structural funding, such as grants or four-year subsidies. Six of the organisations interviewed can be classified as larger. It is important to note that this structural funding varies greatly in amount and that there are no special funds for financing AiRs in the city in general.

Nevertheless, there is clearly interest in starting AiR programs, as from 2021, nine new AIRs have been added, six of which are at organisations that did not previously have their own AiR. For artists and creators, AiRs provide a huge boost to their professional practice that can reverberate for years to come. AiRs attract new talent and invest in existing talent. For the organisations, it is a long-term investment, whereby the artist, taking part in a process of professionalisation and development, remains connected to the organisation.

As from 2026 CBK Art Office launched a growing overview of art initiatives, residences and art spaces in Rotterdam. Have a look at their website here.