Cuttyhunk Island Artists' Residency
In an inspirational setting far removed from the distractions of daily life, Cuttyhunk Island Artists' Residency offers two week-long residency sessions each year (June and September). Each session invites 12 visual artists to be inspired by the island's natural beauty, and to develop their work within a warm and inclusive community environment. The artists in residents are joined by accomplished Visiting Artists and Arts Professionals who share their expertise with the group.
P.O. Box 185
Cuttyhunk, MA 02713
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
CIAR's June residency accepts oil and watercolor painters of all levels to participate in a landscape painting workshop. The September residency accepts visual artists working in all mediums. We encourage applicants who will benefit from nature as a tool in their creative process, especially those who will use the unique natural environment of Cuttyhunk Island as their studios. Our facilities are conducive to artists with a portable studio practice, an ability to work on projects with easy set-up and break-down methods. Artists may also set up temporary work spaces on our large wraparound, covered porch overlooking Vineyard Sound. We also see this time as a way for artists to wander, think, and sketch. The beautiful nature trails and quiet beaches offer a sense of escape from our busy lives.
Examples of work methods supported by our facilities:
- drawing
- painting
- collage
- small sculpture projects (not needing special tools or shop space)
- photography
- video
June Landscape Painting Workshop cost ranges from $2,100 to $3,600 depending on if you choose a private or shared room option.
September Artists' Residency cost ranges from $1,850 to $2,500. Scholarships are available for the September residency.
CIAR program costs include:
- Accommodation at the Avalon Inn
- Three daily meals prepared by our chef
- Workshop / Visiting artist talk
- Access to Cuttyhunk Island, including use of golf carts at the Avalon
September Artists' Residency: Cuttyhunk Island Artists' Residency offers full and partial scholarships. A full scholarship covers the entire cost of residency including tuition, housing, and all meals. All participants will need to provide for their own transportation to and from Cuttyhunk, whether or not they receive a scholarship. **Please note that scholarship recipients will be placed in a shared room accommodation.**
The Open Merit Scholarship is given to an artist based on artistic merit and covers the full residency cost.
The Wellspring Scholarship is given to an artist who is also a parent with a child under the age of 18 yrs and covers the full residency cost.
The Paul Cuffe Scholarship, named for Cuttyhunk’s historic resident, is dedicated to an artist of color and covers the full residency cost.
Accessibility
We invite you to let us know if you have limited mobility, so we can accommodate you in a first floor bedroom. The island is easily walkable, however we do offer golf carts to those who need them. The dining and common spaces are on the first floor for easy access.
Most of our bedrooms are up one flight of stairs with no elevator access. However, we do have a couple bedrooms on the first floor reserved for those with limited mobility.
Housing & Accomodation
The community spaces and dining areas are located on the first floor with easy access from our wraparound porch. Artists work spaces are located on the first floor covered porch.
Studio & Facilities
Artists set up temporary work spaces on our large wraparound, covered porch. We do not have traditional studio spaces, but we provide tables and chairs and allow artists to set up indoors or outdoors. We encourage artists to gather inspiration from the unique natural environment of Cuttyhunk Island and use the island itself as their studio.