Monson Arts Artist in Residence

Monson Arts logo, a group of residents outside, one artist working in a studio and a close up of two people smiling.

Monson Arts logo, a group of residents outside, one artist working in a studio and a close up of two people smiling.

Artist in her studio, filled with dyed wool

Artist in her studio, filled with dyed wool

4 people snow shoeing

4 people snow shoeing

A writers studio wall covered in manuscript

A writers studio wall covered in manuscript

Looking out the deck of the studio building onto the sun setting over the snow covered lake

Looking out the deck of the studio building onto the sun setting over the snow covered lake

Aerial shot of Monson Maine

Aerial shot of Monson Maine

Monson Arts Artist in Residence

Monson, ME, United States

Monson Arts is an artists' residency and arts center in Monson, Maine. The goal of the residency program is to provide time and space for artists and writers to devote to their creative practices. Residencies are two or four weeks long and come with studio space, a private bedroom in shared housing, all meals and a stipend of $1,000 ($500 for two week programs). Located at the edge of Maine's North Woods near the Appalachian Trail, the town is surrounded by areas of stunning natural beauty.

Artists’ studios are outfitted to accommodate a variety of artistic practices with access provided to woodshop and metal shop facilities for any fabrication needs. Writers’ studios are comfortably furnished with work tables and reading chairs. All residents live in newly renovated historic homes in town that have shared kitchens and bathrooms. Houses and studios have high speed wifi internet access.

Application for this program is open to artists and writers at all stages in their careers working in all media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, and audio production.

We regularly accept online applications at three deadlines throughout the year- Jan. 15, May 15, and Sept. 15. A live link to the application is available on our website 6 weeks before each deadline. Visit monsonarts.org for more information and to sign up for updates by email.

Contact

8 Greenville Road
#67
Monson, ME 04464
United States

Year Founded
2018
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in intentional community
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
2 weeks - 4 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
10
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Blacksmithing
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Costume/Fashion Design
Digital Fabrication
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Woodworking
Criticism
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Translation
Writing
Choreography
Music
Opera
Symphony
Animation
Augmented Reality
Digital Media
Documentary
Electronic Arts
Film
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Photography
Sound Art
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Environmental Arts
Public Art
Social Practice
Storytelling
Urban Planning/Design
Ecology
Environmentalism/Conservation
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
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Unrestricted funding
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Additional Eligibility Information

Application for this program is open to artists and writers at all stages in their careers working in all media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, and audio production. 5 visual and 5 literary artists will be accepted per session. Applications are processed through slideroom. 

  • Applicants may provide up to 5 samples of visual work / 5 pages of written work/ 5 minutes of time based work 
  • A letter of intent
  • Resume or C.V. limited to 6000 characters
  • Two reference contacts
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
100
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
500
Artist Stipend
1000
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Fee
25
US Dollar (USD)
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
Written and or hard copies of text being presented
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
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

One resident house is wheelchair accessible. Our studios have ADA compliant restrooms and ramp access to the first floors. 

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Chantal Harris
Accessibility Contact Email
director@monsonarts.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

This residency is built with very little structure. Welcome presentations are located in a fully accessible space, meals are eaten, or picked up, at an accessible location. We have multiple studios that are on the ground floor with ada compliant restrooms. One house has a studio located inside the home for a person who is limited in motion. Another residence is completely wheelchair accessible with all necessities on the ground floor.  Both the wood shop and metal shop are ramp accessible. We are able to provide shuttles through the neighborhood if it is needed. 

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

The second floors of the renovated historical buildings do not have lift access at this point. This would hinder studio visits for a person with mobility limitations. This is also a challenge during the winter months when side walk maintenance is limited.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Common/Communal Spaces Information

One home is fully accessible with ramp access and all necessities on the first floor including an ADA compliant bathroom. 

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Other
Meals Provided
All meals
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Food stipend provided
Additional Meals Information
Vegan meal options can be requested
Vegetarian meal options can be requested
Gluten-free meal options can be requested
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
No computer access available
Studios/Facilities Details

Private studios are minimally furnished with two tables, shelves, and fireproof cabinets. Sinks are located in each of the visual arts studios. Writing studios have a table, shelf and comfortable chair.

Wood and Metal shops are shared with basic tools available and shop technician support.  

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Dedicated Metal Shop
Heavy Metals / Blacksmithing
Fine Metals / Jewelry Making
Hydraulic Press
Soldering Workspace
Gas/Oxy Torches
Acetylene/Air Torches
Bench Grinder
Darkroom (Black And White)
Lighting Studio/Green Screen
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Drawing Benches
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Router Table
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Tech hours
Additional Studio Information

Staff is available to support needs in both the Wood and Metal shops, for artists who are well versed in those studios. We are unable to teach techniques to beginners. Staff is also available to provide varied assistance in private studios as needed.