Are you an individual (an artist, designer, filmmaker, crafter...) taking part in a residency? Follow these easy steps to make the most out of Creative Futures.

1. Introduce yourself
Write a blog or join this discussion to tell us all about yourself and what residency you are taking part in. Maybe include what you enjoy doing to make it easier for others to find common interests. Make sure you also link to your website or other social networks so that others can find out more about you. Make sure you include an image or two to make the post visual for the audience.

2. Let us see your work
Add some images or blogs which give us a bit more information about what it is that you create and how. A picture says a thousand words - and if it introduces someone new to your art it must be worth doing.

3. Support your residency
Take a look at what your residency manager, and possibly organisation, are doing. Comment, “like”, share what they do, and don’t forget to ask questions and engage in conversation.

4. Make friends, interact and connect
Find like-minded artists on the site, request friendships and find out more about them. Talk to others by asking questions and leaving comments, find common ground, and perhaps give advice. The community is made up of other individuals like yourself who have embarked on a project, some will be just starting while others may be near completion. Where better to find people to connect with?

5. Document your residency and upload content
Share your experience and show the process before, during and after the residency. It’s never too early (or too late) to start documenting. Take photos, illustrate images, write blogs, shoot videos, whatever medium you find most comfortable working with. Visual blogs that concentrate on a topic are most popular, and it might even be featured on the homepage to give you some extra promotion.

Blogs, discussions and comments are all great ways of communicating. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get started:
- Shed light to your background. Tell us where you are coming from, what work you’ve done in the past, and what you are aiming to do in the future.
- Talk about the challenges you are facing. Maybe you are in new environment or working with unfamiliar discipline, or perhaps you don’t know much about the organisation you are working with.
- Raise concerns. Do you wish you’d known certain things before the residency started? Do you feel something could be improved on? Tell others what problems have cropped up. Maybe someone had found a solution and can give you advice, or at least point you at right direction.
    -    Most importantly remember to celebrate your achievements along the way.

If you have any questions about the above information or you would like to make some suggestions, email us here.

You can find out more useful hints & tips in these guides - How to use the network as...
a residency main contact
a delivery partner or organisation
a casual browser not connected to a residency


[image by maybeemily, used under Creative Commons]