Artist Communities Alliance (ACA) — a residency network that funds artists directly
A residency isn’t just a one-off programme — it’s part of a much bigger professional field.
Artist Communities Alliance, a residency network, brings together the people who build that field.
It’s done that since 1991.
As of this check, 17 September 2026, the network counts more than 300 organisations and individuals.
They come from 50 US states and 20 countries.
The network didn’t start from nothing, either.
The MacArthur Foundation put in $2.5 million straight away, back in 1991.
That money went to the 18 founding residencies.
The directory and newsletter are free for any artist, no membership required.
Membership is free now too
Organisations used to pay an annual fee to join.
That’s still how similar networks work.
But since January 2025, ACA has dropped fees altogether.
Instead of paying, members simply reaffirm shared values once a year.
That said, membership is still for organisations and programmes, not individual artists.
Even without membership, artists already get the directory, the newsletter and the network’s open research.
The money doesn’t stop at the directory
ACA directly administers several named fellowships for artists.
They include McKnight, MacColl Johnson, Pew and 3Arts Residency.
But each fellowship has its own conditions and its own application page.
There’s no single entry point.
Also, since 2004 the network has given out more than $4 million in direct grants.
That money went to both artists and residencies.
This is exactly what sets ACA apart from similar networks, which usually stick to directories and advocacy.
The name changed, the history didn’t
Until recently, the network was called Alliance of Artists Communities.
You’ll still find that word order in older sources.
Today its official name is Artist Communities Alliance — the words simply swapped places.
Doris Leeper founded the network in 1991.
She invited 18 organisations to that first meeting.
Since then the network has held 29 annual conferences.
And in 2016 it appointed its first Black woman executive director.
The network itself calls that a step towards equity in the field.
More than a directory
The directory lets you search residencies by discipline, location, equipment and accessibility.
There’s also a separate Open Calls section for deadlines currently open.
But only from the network’s own members.
Meanwhile, ACA’s newsletter has more than 27,000 subscribers.
The network also teaches organisations how to launch new residencies.
That training programme has run for more than 19 years.
Who it suits especially
It suits you if: you’re looking for a residency through a free directory or newsletter and don’t want to pay for access.
It’s especially useful if you’re interested not just in residencies themselves, but in named fellowships like McKnight or Pew — separate applications, but serious money.
It may not suit you if: you run a residency yourself and expect paid membership — ACA no longer has one, only the free kind.
It also won’t suit you if you want one single entry point for all the fellowships — each one keeps its own separate application.
