Residencies are the ultimate dream for a writer. To spend weeks, sometimes months, away from society and technology to focus solely on the work – that’s the stuff of fantasy. Given time to reflect, decompress, be alone with your thoughts, and connect to nature, what could you accomplish?
Here are 8 of the most dreamy retreats out there. Be prepared for private cabins, elaborate mansions, the South of France, endless hiking trials, chef prepared meals – and almost all at no cost to the writer. Enjoy.
Where: The foothills of the Cascade Mountains!!! (Oregon).
How Long: Site says January-March. Unclear if residents stay this entire time.
How Much: A $35 application fee. Residents pay for their own travel, meals, and additional expenses (i.e. materials they’ll need to complete their work). Caldera may give stipends to residents, depending on funding.
About: Writers provided with private cabins complete with sleeping loft, work area, kitchenette, bathroom and porch. An incredible space called the Hearth Building is available as a communal work environment.
Where: Sixteen acres in coastal Southwest Washington State.
How Long: A month.
How Much: No cost – excluding travel.
About: This is a self-directed residency for established artists (writers included). There’s a communal lodge, as well as work spaces and residential cottages. Everything’s provided: meals, the beautiful lodging, and more nature than you’ll know what to do with.
Marthas Vineyard Writers Residency
Where: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard (Massachsetts), in a cozy former inn.
How Long: two-six weeks, writers choose length of stay
How Much: $300 per week, $10 application fee, participants must provide their own meals.
About: Nine writers at a time. There are “informal gatherings” like weekly potlucks, readings, and events. The rest of the time, you’re free to write on your own. Each writer has their own room which doubles as a writing studio, but everyone is welcome to work in common areas, too.
Where: on ten acres of land in Ghent, NY (Hudson River Valley region) overlooking the Catskill Mountians.
How Long: one week – two months (writers choose)
How Much: No cost – excluding travel. All meals provided by a local chef. Omg.
About: Daytime is for writing – quiet, independent time. Nighttime is communal, guest speakers are invited up, usually professionals from the New York publishing community. Ten writers at a time. There’s a Federal period farm house which acts as the main “gathering center”, a two story barn used as studios, and contemporary residence buildings.
I-Park Foundation Artists-in-Residence Program
Where: Eastern Connecticut.
How Long: A month.
How Much: No cost – excluding travel.
About: This residency has a strong focus on providing a fulfilling nature retreat, too. They offer hiking trials, ponds, vegetable gardens, bonfires, outdoor showers. Chefs prepare the meals, and there are communal working/living spaces, as well as private bedrooms and studios for each artist. (Plus the studios are really cute lil’ houses.)
Brown Foundation Fellows Program at the Dora Maar House
Where: Just an 18th Century townhouse in the South of France.
How Long: Doesn’t specifically say, but it looks like about a month.
How Much: $10 application fee. Then, everything is paid for, including travel. Meals aren’t provided, but you are given a stipend of $50 a day.
About: Not a ton of info about day-to-day life during the residency. Which leads me to believe that they give you money, pay for you to get there, give you an amazing place to stay (private studio, bathroom, and bedroom) change your sheets, and in return, you write as much as humanly possible.
Hedgebrook Writers in Residence Program
Where: Whidbey Island, 35 mi NW of Seattle.
How Long: 2-6 weeks.
How Much: No cost.
About: Women only! Days are spent alone – each writer has their own private cottage. Nights are spent together at the Farmhouse, sharing a (chef prepared, local + organic) meal and discussing the day.
Where: Saratoga Springs, NY
How Long: 2-8 weeks. Average stay is 5 weeks.
How Much: $30 application fee. No cost for residency, financial aid offered, based on need.
About: They provide residencies for almost 200 artists per year, up to 34 guests at a time. (They have the room – have you seen the mansion?) Each artist given a private bedroom, and all meals are provided. Yaddo is legendary, it’s been a community for artists for over 100 years.
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