Ten Tips to Landing That Writing Residency

We should all be so fortunate to land that dream residency–at the MacDowell Colony, for example, which has been nurturing and inspiring creative effort since 1907 by offering artists rooms of their own, so to speak. More than 250 writers and artists come to the colony each year. Colonists receive room, board, and the exclusive use of a studio. Artists in residence gain not only great working conditions but the experience of living in a community of exceptional artists.

The thing is, securing such support takes planning and effort.

Here are some practical tips via ArtBistro, culled from Cortney Bethel from the MacDowell Colony and Michelle Laflamme-Childs of the Santa Fe Art Institute, to help you get closer to those hot-shot digs. I’ve heard similar advice from the NEA chair himself.

1. Start the application process early.

2. Read all the materials and directions on the site carefully in preparation. Follow them.

3. Write clearly and directly about what you will be working on during your stay. Make sure your work samples support your proposed ideas.

4. Send the number of samples requested–no more. Your extra pages won’t get read.

5. Know what the institutions are asking for. Laflamme-Childs says, “The SFAI asks for an artist’s statement (a paragraph or so about the nature and focus of your work) and a letter of intent (a letter describing what you plan/hope to do during your residency at the SFAI). Many programs ask for a project proposal, which is typically more detailed and specific to a particular project than a letter of intent, and is often a larger factor in the application process. If a program requests more than one of these items, do not assume you can combine them into one statement or letter.”

6. Keep it simple. According to Bethel, “If your idea is complex, it is best to call the colony to discuss the best way to present it. Not all residencies would welcome calls of this kind, but MacDowell Colony will.”

7. Have someone else review your proposal for clarity and cohesion.

8. If you don’t get in the first time, reapply. The committees usually change, as does the pool of applicants.

9. There are hundreds of unique residencies all over the world. Uncover them with Internet searches.

10. Some residencies cover partial, if not all, costs. But often the connections a writer makes are the most important take-aways.

Here are a few of the best-known residencies:

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Let ASF know about a residency you recommend in the comments section below.