The mission of the Creative Residency program at Bloedel Reserve is to foster creative thinking that is inspired by nature and that explores the connection between humans and the environment.
Selected artists and innovative thinkers are provided a three-week stay on the Bloedel grounds, with unlimited access to the Reserve’s 150 acres of sculpted gardens, forests, meadows, and wildlife habitats.
Established in 2015, the program has welcomed Creative Residents from a wide variety of disciplines, giving them the time to nurture their passions and deepen the connection between creativity, nature, and humanity.
7571 NE Dolphin Drive Bainbridge Island, WA98110 United States
Residency Program Information
Year Founded
2015
Context
Suburban
Rural
Residency Structure
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in a national park or land trust
Embedded in historic site
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Thematic
Retreat
Community-engaged
Research
Experiential
Residency Program Summary
Residency Length
3 weeks - 3 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
1
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Costume/Fashion Design
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Criticism
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Translation
Writing
Acting
Choreography
Dance
Performance Art
Theater
Music
Opera
Symphony
Animation
Augmented Reality
Computing
Digital Media
Documentary
Electronic Arts
Film
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Photography
Sound Art
Virtual Reality
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Architecture
Environmental Arts
Landscape Architecture
Public Art
Storytelling
Urban Planning/Design
Biology
Ecology
Environmentalism/Conservation
Science
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
History
Mathematics
Philosophy
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Emerging
Mid-career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Give artist talk or presentation
Lead workshop for the public
Lead a skill share
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Unstructured time
Inspiration from natural environment
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Application Information
Additional Eligibility Information
Applicant submissions must demonstrate a strong connection to nature through inspiration, material use, or research focus.
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
10
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
220
Artist Stipend
1000
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Fee
25
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
Accessibility
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Full description of accessibility on campus
Staff/volunteer giving directions
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information
Guests with limited mobility can access the highlights of the Reserve via a paved road. This route is approximately 2/3 of a mile round-trip. The road has a short hill with a 9% grade. Guests travel a downward incline on the way out and walk up an incline on the return trip. Complementary wheelchairs are available at the Gatehouse.
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?
The housing is fully wheelchair accessible. There are some paved pathways and a map can be provided which details the difficulty of the trails for those with limited mobility.
Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.
There are some trails withing the 150 acre Reserve which are not wheelchair accessible due to the rugged natural terrain.
Housing & Accomodation
Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Accessible Communal Spaces
N/A
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Other
Meals Provided
No meals are provided
Additional Meals Information
N/A
Studio & Facilities
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Computer and internet connection provided in studio area (private)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details
There is no designated studio space on the grounds at Bloedel Reserve. However, there is ample room to set up an area for drawing and other non-messy projects in the house. An electric piano is available for use and Plein-Air painting can be done anywhere on the grounds. We also partner with other organizations and local artists to provide studio spaces when necessary.
