The "granddaddy" of all artists' retreats, the MacDowell Colony in rural New Hampshire has hosted such celebrated artists as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Alice Walker and Thornton Wilder in its 100-year history. MacDowell offers no-cost residencies of up to eight weeks to architects, composers, filmmakers, visual artists, interdisciplinary artists, playwrights and other writers. Highly competitive, the colony grants residencies based solely on "artistic excellence," and artists may apply once a year for the winter/spring, summer or fall sessions. In addition to the official application, artists submit a letter of reference from an authority in their field and samples of recent work.
The MacDowell Colony
100 High Street
Peterborough, NH 03458
603-924-3886
macdowellcolony.org
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) accepts writers, visual artists and composers for residencies of two to eight weeks, on the basis of "the excellence of their creative work" and two work-related references. Artists receive a private studio and all meals for a daily contribution determined by their financial ability; some fellowships are available. Although residents spend their days in solitude pursuing individual projects, they also have the chance to socialize and share work in the evenings. Nearby Sweet Briar College provides amenities such as a library and recreational facilities.
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
154 San Angelo Drive
Amherst, VA 24521
434-946-7236
vcca.com
Located in a secluded area of The Banff Centre, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution in the Canadian Rockies, Leighton Artists' Colony welcomes writers, visual artists, songwriters, literary translators and composers who are embarking on new projects "at the conceptualization or research phase." Although other retreats usually require residents to bring all their own supplies, Leighton provides computers and printers as needed in nine individual work studios named for prominent artists such as Ernest Hemingway. The colony charges modest fees for studio space and meals, but some financial aid is available, based on need. Leighton accepts applications year-round, and selects residents based on the quality of their work and the merit of their projects; residencies vary in length according to the needs of the artists. First-time applicants must supply three letters of recommendation, in addition to a resume and work samples.
Leighton Artists Colony for Independent Residencies
The Banff Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1H5
403-762-6100
banffcentre.ca
Imagine writing or creating art in a cozy A-frame cabin in the central Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Each winter, Caldera welcomes visual artists, writers, dancers, choreographers, musicians, composers and architects for month-long residencies in this idyllic, snowy setting. Aside from a modest application fee, the colony has no other residency costs. Artists, however, supply and prepare most of their own food, except for a weekly communal dinner. Toward the end of the residence period, Caldera hosts an "Open Studio" event in which artists showcase their work for the public. For consideration, prospective residents submit an application, resume, work samples and two letters of reference by June 15 each year.
Caldera Arts Center
31500 Blue Lake Drive
Sisters, OR 97759
503-937-7594
calderaarts.org