A window at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre for Artists, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
For most, finding time to write is one of the hardest aspects of writing. Unless independently wealthy, one normally has to juggle a day job and family responsibilities with writing time – not an easy feat. Thankfully a solution is out there, focused writing time is possible with a writers’ residency at a dedicated artists’ colony. I’ve benefitted from a few over the years and cannot stress how fruitful and inspiring my time in each has been. The most sought after are ‘residencies‘ which often offer free board and accommodation and sometimes a stipend, for blocks of creative time that can range from a week to year. Sometimes, there may be a fee involved but at a ‘residency’ it would be heavily subsidised to ensure a stay is affordable for the artist. All such prestigious residencies entail an application and selection and approval process. The more generous the offer, the more competition there will be to gain a place obviously, and they tend to cater for published writers/produced playwrights with a track record only. These residencies are very well regarded by industry and acceptance is an asset to your C.V.
Then you have ‘retreats‘. These are usually privately owned affairs run as a business, often by people passionate about the arts. Or they may, like Arvon, involve creative writing courses that are highly respected, delivered by leading industry professionals. Normally with these retreats, the writer/artist self-funds (though there are occasionally one or two grants available if you check the website). As a rule, they cost the same as a stay in a regular hotel or B&B in the same area, but you have the added bonus of being in an environment dedicated to creativity and your fellow guests are also keen creatives. As you’re self funding, there is not normally a application process involved (at least not anything rigorous) – usually just a straightforward booking process, so retreats are the best solution for writers who have yet to publish or have their work produced. Retreats do not have the same prestige as the aforementioned residencies however, though some may straddle both definitions due to occasional grants or fellowships they may offer.
Ireland
Residencies:
Heinrich Böll cottage
Cill Rialaig
Dublin Writer in Residence
Retreats:
France
Residencies:
Retreats:
Great Britain
Residencies:
Retreats
Germany
Switzerland
Italy
USA
Residencies:
Albee Foundation (New York State)
Hedge brook (Washington State)
Norman Mailer Centre (NY, Wyoming, California)
Studio in the Woods (New Orleans)
Retreats (some also offer a limited grants/fellowships)
Canada
Australia
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you know of more, please let me know. If possible specify if it’s a residency (free or subsidised) or a retreat (self funded).
suehealy 