PLAYA’s Art/Sci Awarded Residency brings together artists and scientists to immerse in their inquiry, practice and research, while fostering exchange of ideas across disciplines. All of PLAYA’s programs focus on expanding and deepening the field of art and science to empower the human motivation necessary for a healthy and whole future on this planet. We believe if human society is to maintain vibrancy of culture and biodiversity, it needs new ways of seeing the world.
Residencies are awarded through an application process and open to the global community of scientists and artists. All artists and scientists are welcome to apply, including (but not limited to) naturalists, biologists, musicians, sound artists, new media artists, designers, sustainability leaders, social practitioners, Traditional Ecological Holders and culture bearers, musicians, visual artists, writers, journalists, poets, performing artists, and interdisciplinary artists. Individuals and teams whose work, project, or process will benefit from time on the land where PLAYA resides are encouraged to apply.
On the traditional lands of the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Paiute peoples, and surrounded by the living laboratory of both the Fremont National Forest and BLM high desert public lands, PLAYA’s residencies provide ample space for study, exploration and inspiration.
SESSION SCHEDULE
Applicants will be able to list their first, second and third choice of residency date, plus additional dates they are able to attend. While every effort is made to accommodate applicants’ schedule requests, we are not always able to grant you your first choice. We schedule based on the dates you pick and the studio/living space requirements you describe at the time of application. We cannot promise to reschedule you if your availability changes at the time of registration.
2027 Art/Sci Awarded Residency date choices:
January 21 – February 15, 2027: 25 nights
February 18 – March 1, 2027: 11 nights
July 15 – August 2, 2027: 18 nights
October 28 – November 15, 2027: 18 nights
RESIDENCY DETAILS
PLAYA is located in extremely rural and remote Lake County, Oregon. Please review our Know Before You Go Handbook to determine if a residency at PLAYA is for you. The Handbook includes information about the environment, facilities, and what PLAYA provides.
Applicants may choose an 11-, 18- or 25-night session. Residency sessions begin on a Thursday and end on a Monday. We cannot accommodate custom residency dates, so applicants must choose from the dates available.
Residents are awarded a residency in a cohort made up of 6-10 artists and scientists. Residents stay in 1- or 2-bedroom cabins free of charge. Cabins include kitchens, bathrooms, and living space. Please view cabin and studio options on the Cabins page of our website.
PLAYA Art/Sci Awarded Residencies are largely self-directed. PLAYA schedules 1 group meal per week for all residencies. For 18- and 25-night residencies, PLAYA organizes PLAYA Presents Open Studio Tours where the public is invited to tour resident studios. This is an opportunity for neighbors to learn more about the residents’ practices and what they have engaged with during their time in Lake County. Although this is not mandatory, we encourage all residents to participate.
Residents are responsible for their own travel costs and food while they are in residence. PLAYA is open to international and domestic applicants as long as eligibility requirements are met.
To help contain the cohort culture of this residency, and due to the limitations of our small staff, family or friends are not permitted to join you overnight during this residency. Please contact us if you have an accessibility need that requires a caretaker to live on campus, or if you have someone driving you to and from PLAYA who needs accommodation for the first and last night of the residency.
PLAYA recognizes that living in a remote and rural community can be challenging. If you have any questions about whether PLAYA is the best fit for you, please review our Know Before You Go Handbook. Additionally, if you have questions about the residency accommodations, please see the page of our website. For questions about the application process listed below, please call 541.943.3983 or email programs@playasummerlake.org.
APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINE
Applications for the 2027 Art/Sci Awarded Residency are due Tuesday, June 30, 2026 by 11:59pm PT.
Reference forms from your selected references are due Sunday, July 19th, 2026.
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by October 1, 2026. If awarded a residency, applicants will receive their residency date assignment at this time.
PLAYA uses SlideRoom for the application portal. We do not accept residency applications by email, regular mail, or fax. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed; and late applications will not be able to be submitted. We highly encourage you to read all application information and instructions carefully. Please note that the application questions are given as much weight at the work submissions during review.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Applicants must demonstrate how their work aligns with PLAYA’s mission and how they, or their project/process, will benefit from time on the land where PLAYA resides.
Both established and emerging artists working in any media may apply.
We encourage all artists and scientists to apply, including (but not limited to) naturalists, biologists, musicians, sound artists, new media artists, designers, sustainability leaders, social practitioners, Traditional Ecological Holders and culture bearers, musicians, visual artists, writers, journalists, performing artists and interdisciplinary artists.
All residents must be 18 years old or older.
Applicants must be able to participate in a full Art/Sci Awarded Residency cohort.
Residents’ work must be compatible with PLAYA’s available studio spaces, facilities, and resources, and with PLAYA’s rural setting and community.
Individual and collaborative applications are welcome. If applying collaboratively, each person in the collaboration must apply individually and include the name of their collaborator in the space provided.
We encourage applications from individuals whose work is informed by lived experience, cultural knowledge, or long-term engagement with place, including Indigenous, rural, and historically underrepresented communities.
Reapplication: Past residents or applicants must submit new and complete applications. Past Art/Sci Awarded Residents must wait two years after the date of their last residency to re-apply to PLAYA.
Installation Art: If your work at PLAYA includes any processes that may result in any changes to the visual or physical environment of PLAYA, you must first receive prior approval from the Program Manager once you are here. Only ephemeral outdoor installation or sculpture which do not impact the land will be approved. Activities include, but are not limited to, relocating earth (rocks, sand or other), cutting or removal of plants, and/or using technology that might adversely affect biotic species (or the tranquility of the PLAYA experience). Please consider the seven principles of Leave No Trace when designing ephemeral outdoor art.
If this fee prohibits you from applying, please email programs@playasummerlake.org by Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 11:59pm PT to request a waiver. There is no explanation needed. Collaborative teams are welcome to request fee waivers for additional applications regardless of financial need.