ARTIST RESIDENCY & International Exchange

IAA-USA Artist Residency Support Program

Development Director – Artist Residency: Elizabeth Decker

IAA-USA is excited to announce the launch of the IAA-USA Artist Residency Program, a new initiative designed to support our members in their pursuit of creative growth through national and international residency opportunities.

As part of this effort, we are proud to introduce Elizabeth Decker as our new Development Director – Artist Residency. Elizabeth is a longtime IAA-USA member from Austin, TX and a dedicated visual artist whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She brings firsthand experience and passion to this role, having been awarded artist residencies in France and England. She currently is painting in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and planning to offer her studio to the program as she continues her search for amazing residencies.

Elizabeth will serve as a bridge between IAA-USA members and a diverse range of artist residencies, sharing opportunities and offering guidance throughout the application process. While IAA-USA is not involved in residency selection or admissions, Elizabeth will help connect our artists with meaningful programs that align with their practice and goals. Contact: elidecker@iaa-usa.org

Residency Grant Program
To further empower our artists, IAA-USA is pleased to offer unrestricted $500 grants to up to four members during the 2025–2026 residency season. These grants are available to members who:

• Are accepted into an external residency, and

• Provide documentation of acceptance and a signed agreement to attend.

Funds may be used at the artist’s discretion for travel, supplies, food, lodging, or other residency-related expenses.

We encourage all members to explore this opportunity and to reach out to Elizabeth Decker with any questions about artist residencies or the new grant program once a residency opportunity has been offered. She can also help direct inquiries to the residency hosts when needed.

We look forward to seeing our members thrive in inspiring new environments and to celebrating the creative outcomes that emerge from these valuable experiences.

IAA-USA Artist International Exchange Program

Take a look at the IAA-USA exchange experience in Thailand, click above

Co-Chairs: Edem Elesh and James Finnegan

IAA-USA is proud to offer its members a unique opportunity to participate in our International Artist Exchange Program. This program promotes cultural diplomacy, artistic collaboration, and international exposure by connecting U.S.-based visual artists with host institutions around the world. Through these exchanges, artists gain new perspectives, build global networks, and expand their practice while serving as creative ambassadors for IAA-USA. These exchanges usually last 1 week to 10 days unless otherwise stated.

Artists are expected to be prepared to work hard, do research into their intended destination country’s culture and norms, pay for airfare, and exhibit exemplary character at all times.

Host countries usually provide room and board, limited art supplies (usually acrylic paint, brushes, and canvas, so if oil paints are needed, the artist must bring their own supplies and special tools etc), 3 meals a day, outings to cultural sites, communal workspace and a final show with the produced art. Produced art is usually expected to be donated to the host’s art institution.

These are covetable programs that enrich the artist’s life and work experience, provide residency status to the artist’s resume, and create an opportunity for international networking.

The open opportunities to apply are announced via email and social media several months in advance, so following our newsletter and social media is important for early application submission.