艺术村，有时又称为「艺术家驻住计划」，是一个广泛的概念，从英文来看，如Artist-in-Residence、Artist Community、Art Colony、Art Farm等，都在艺术村广义的范畴里，可见艺术村是包含不同规模与类型的。

美国艺术村联盟（AAC）对艺术村的定义为：「艺术村是专门运作的组织，为艺术家的创作研究提供时间、空间和支持，让艺术家进入一个满布鼓励和友谊的环境。」；欧洲Res Artist对艺术村之定义为：「一个特别为提供艺术家创作所成立的组织，而且必须是独立运作的单位体。」

Artist-in-residence programs and other residency opportunities exist to invite artists, academicians, curators, and all manner of creative people for a time and space away from their usual environment and obligations. They provide a time of reflection, research, presentation and/or production. They also allow an individual to explore his/her practice within another community; meeting new people, using new materials, experiencing life in a new location. Art residencies emphasize the importance of meaningful and multi-layered cultural exchange and immersion into another culture.