The Artist Residency at nina Idyllwild
The artist residency at nina Idyllwild is a queer-centered program dedicated to LGBTQ+ artists living in California.
Located at nina's Idyllwild outpost in the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, the residency offers time, space, and creative refuge away from the city.
Each residency supports either one artist or a creative duo/collective—whether emerging or established— for a fully funded two-week stay.
With no distractions and the quiet of the forest as backdrop, residents are invited to immerse themselves in deep work, reflection, and creative renewal.
What's Included
- Private cabin with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living/work space, and hot tub
- Utilities and internet
- Professional cleaning at the beginning and end of the stay
- Connection to nina's creative ecosystem in Los Angeles
- Personal welcome: residents are greeted on arrival by nina's programming team and taken to dinner in town
Expectations
- Residents are self-directed and self-sufficient—the residency does not provide production, fabrication, or technical support
- Accepted applicants will participate in a kickoff call with the nina team and all members of the season's cohort before their residencies begin
- All residents agree to take part in an end-of-season artist showcase and salon hosted at nina in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, where the cohort will share work and reflections with the community
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
- Open to LGBTQ+ artists living in California
- Open to both emerging and established artists
- Solo applicants or creative duos/collectives are welcome (see note below)
- nina seeks artists who are experimental yet rigorous—artists seeking focused time to be productive and disciplined while also leaning into rest as a source of generative creativity
- The residency is best suited for writing, digital, conceptual, research, and interdisciplinary artists
- At this time, the program does not support studio-intensive practices such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, or large-scale installation
A note on creative duos/collectives:
We welcome applications from small creative groups of 2-4 people. The cabin has two bedrooms, each with with one large bed. Groups should be comfortable sharing sleeping space and living closely for the duration of the residency.
Accessibility
The cabin is single-story with no interior stairs. While a wheelchair may be able to access parts of the home, the gravel approach, compact bathroom, and absence of grab bars may limit accessibility. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss your specific access needs.