PLAYA’s residencies are open to the global community of scientists, naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practice artists, musicians, visual artists, writers, performing artists, and collaborations and individuals engaged in interdisciplinary work or other forms of creative work. PLAYA welcomes a range of participants – from emerging scientists and artists to those with an established history of accomplishment.
Awarded residencies are granted through a juried application process and are free of charge.
Applications for 26- and 12-day residencies are accepted once a year and reviewed by professionals working in each category.
PLAYA is in a remote, rural area of Oregon with wide open vistas and opportunities for field explorations in rich natural settings. Bend, Oregon, is two hours north and Lakeview is one hour south of PLAYA. Paisley with a population of 225 is 17 miles from PLAYA. 12 miles north is Summer Lake, which consists of a gas station, small market, post office, rest area and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife bird management area.
PLAYA’s 64-acre campus sits alongside an intermittent desert lake which is 10 miles wide and 20 miles long. The campus is made up of the Commons building (where the only wi-fi on campus can be accessed), 6 cabins, 2 live/work units with attached studios, 1 home for staff, three studios, and a small music studio.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
PLAYA’s Awarded Residencies are open to the global community of scientists and artists whose work promotes dialogue and positive change in the environment and the world. We encourage naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practitioners, musicians, visual artists, writers and performing artists to apply.
PLAYA welcomes applications from both emerging and seasoned professionals. Applicants must demonstrate how their work aligns with our mission and how they, or their project, will benefit from time at PLAYA. All residents must be 18 years old or older. Residents’ work must be compatible with PLAYA’s available studio spaces, facilities, and resources, and with PLAYA’s rural setting and community. REAPPLICATION: Past residents or applicants must submit new and complete applications for each cycle. Past residents must wait two years after the date of their last residency to re-apply to PLAYA.
If the application fee prohibits you from applying, please email us to request a waiver by 11:59 pm PT on June 27th at programs@playasummerlake.org. Any requests submitted after June 29th will not have time to be processed. Collaborative teams are also welcome to request fee waivers.