Elf School of the Arts Residency

Exterior view of Elf School of the Arts, a renovated 100 year old brick elementary school.

Exterior view of Elf School of the Arts, a renovated 100 year old brick elementary school.

April Sham printing t-shirts on an etching press during the opening.

April Sham printing t-shirts on an etching press during the opening.

Brad Staples performing electronic music on stage during the opening.

Brad Staples performing electronic music on stage during the opening.

Elf School of the Arts Residency

Hayesville, NC, United States

Elf School of the Arts is a nonprofit artist residency in Hayesville, NC. Situated beside the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Chatuge. Elf was originally an elementary school started in 1928 but has been renovated from 2022-2024 into an artist residency and concert venue. Elf's primary mediums are book arts, casting, cooking, drawing, jewelry, music, lapidary, paper arts, photography, printmaking, weaving, welding, woodworking, and writing. 

Contact

982 Elf School Road
Hayesville, NC 28904
United States

Year Founded
2024
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Community-engaged
Research
Residency Length
1 week - 12 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
4
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Animation
Architecture
Art History
Book Arts
Costume/Fashion Design
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Literature
Literary Nonfiction
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
Nonfiction
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
TV + Radio
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
Inspiration from natural environment
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
15
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
40
Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Elf residents are given a private bedroom and private studio space for their residency. Both are free of charge. Travel and materials are not included. 

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Fee
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Full description of accessibility on campus
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
ADA Compliant
Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Rachel Watson
Accessibility Contact Email
contact@elfschoolofthearts.org
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

All! Studio spaces and one bedroom are ADA compliant. We will work with individuals to make sure they have the best experience possible. 

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
No meals are provided
Additional Meals Information
N/A
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Piano
Fine Metals / Jewelry Making
Jeweler’s Bench
Anvils, Stakes + Hammers
Soldering Workspace
Gas/Oxy Torches
Soldering Picks+Tweezers
Solderite Boards
Bench Grinder
Buffing Machine
Casting Room
Enameling Kilns
Darkroom (Black And White)
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Easels
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Hot Plates
Paper Soaking Sinks
Paper Tearing Table
Lithography Studio
Light Tables
Large Sinks
Large Exposure Unit
Papermaking Studio
Textiles Workspace
Floor Looms
Fiber Arts Workspace
Dye Area
Washer And Dryer
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Router Table
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Other
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by staff
On-call Studio support provided
Studios/facilities Details
Air Conditioned
Heat and Cool control access