Byrdcliffe’s Artists-in-Residence (AiR) program offers artists in all disciplines uninterrupted time to live and work within the serene natural setting and creative community of Woodstock’s historic Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, one of the earliest utopian and continuously operating arts colonies in America.
Artist residency includes month-long communal sessions during the summer months. As part of the AiR program, artists are invited to participate in gatherings, talks, practice shares, studio visits, excursions, open studio events, and the annual AiR exhibition the spring after their residency.
The main criterion for acceptance to Byrdcliffe’s AiR program is artistic excellence and demonstrated commitment to one’s field of endeavor. Artists working in a range of disciplines are encouraged to apply including writing, visual arts, weaving, ceramics, music, composition, photography, filmmaking, dance, and multi-disciplinary practices. A selection of artistic merit and financial need fellowships are available each year, covering partial to full residency fees.
Summer Communal Residencies:
Application deadline: 2/21/2025
Session 1: May 30 – June 24, 2025
Session 2: July 3 – July 29, 2025
Session 3: August 8 – September 2, 2025
Session 4: September 12 – October 7, 2025
Communal residencies offer artist’s studio space and accommodations within a community of peers. Each month-long session hosts 12 - 15 artists with housing offered at three historic arts colony buildings – Villetta, Eastover, and Barzin. As part of each session, Byrdcliffe facilitates practice shares, excursions, a variety of community events, and concludes with an Open Studios event, open to the public. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in the annual AiR exhibition the spring following their residency.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Application Info:
Communal Residency application deadline: 2/21/2025
Application Fee: $30.00
Application Instructions:
Visit https://woodstockbyrdcliffeguild.submittable.com/submit and complete the form to apply.
In addition to basic information and preferences, you will be asked to supply the following materials during your AIR application:
- CV or creative resume
- Work samples relative to your discipline
- Names and contact information for two references (plus, optional letter of recommendation)
- If applying for a need-based grant, the first two pages of your most recent tax return
More information about Byrdcliffe's artists-in-residence programs may be found here: http://www.woodstockguild.org
More questions about Byrdcliffe’s AIR program or required materials? Email AiR@woodstockguild.org
Fees and Fellowships:
Communal residency fees total $800 per artist per session. Cottage residency fees depend on the cottage applied to/assigned. A limited number of general need and merit-based fellowships and grants are available.
Byrdcliffe offers the following merit-based fellowships for the upcoming season with help from our granting partners:
Fellowships and grants for communal residencies:
-The annual Ford/Knauth Fellowship for LGBTQIA+ Artists (full fee)
-The annual Bernard and Shirley Handel Playwright Fellowships (full fee)
-The annual Milton and Sally Avery Fellowships for Visual Artists (full fee)
-The annual Ceramics Artist Fellowship (full fee)
-The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for Artists Affected by Natural Disaster (partial - full fee & stipend)
- The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for Artists (partial-full fee & stipend)
- Donor Funded Arts & Crafts Fellowships (full fee & stipend, open to all creative disciplines)
Fellowships and grants for cottage residencies:
– The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for Cottage Artists-in-Residence (partial - full fee & stipend)
– The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for Artists Affects by Natural Disaster (partial - full fee & stipend)