Sheepscot Arts Preserve

Main House at Night

Main House at Night

Yurt Interior- Studios and Living Spaces

Yurt Interior- Studios and Living Spaces

Sheepscot Arts Preserve

Alna, ME, United States

Sheepscot Arts Preserve is a new artist residency center that is dedicated to supporting Narrative, Visionary, and Outsider Artists of all disciplines. We are located on 42 beautiful acres bordering the Sheepscot River in Alna, Maine. The center provides group and individual artist residencies, free of cost. We also provide some, to all, of the meals depending on the type of residency you attend. We especially encourage self-taught artists and marginalized artists to apply but welcome everyone who feels as if our residency is the right fit.

Our housing includes year round yurts, an off-grid cabin, and bedrooms in the 1800's farmhouse. Each artist has their own studio space to work and access to all communal areas on the property. Our studio spaces change depending on the needs of the artists in residence but are located throughout the different buildings on the property, including the yurts and the large timber frame barn. We are in a quiet rural area and  have hiking trails that wind throughout the property. 

We offer stipends to offset the cost of travel/loss of work for those who can't attend without one.

We have a suggested donation to cover our costs but our program is free to all, and your choice of donation is not part of our selection process.

 

Contact

180 Golden Ridge Rd.
Alna, ME 94118
United States

Year Founded
2024
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Residency Length
1 week - 2 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
3
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Book Arts
Costume/Fashion Design
Dance
Drawing
Fiction
Film
Illustration
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Poetry
Printmaking
Sculpture
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Visual Arts
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Childcare stipend provided
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
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
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

We accept Narrative, Visionary, and Outsider Artists of all disciplines. We do not have any expectations for how your unique style fits into our defined vision but rather want to create a place for artists to explore on their own terms. If our program resonates with you, we welcome your application.

We are a new art center and are slowly building out our facilities, please check out the info on our website to make sure that we can provide everything you need.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
0
Artist Stipend
250
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Our program is free of charge. 

We have some stipends on offer for up to $500 per session for travel/materials/childcare. 

For group Residencies we provide all meals.

For Individual Residencies we provide dinner.

Donations are appreciated but not mandatory. We will offer you the choice to donate after you have already been accepted into the program. We make no judgments based on whether your choose to donate or not.

Suggested donation is $250 per session to offset the costs of running the center. 

Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Application Fee
40
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Manual / handbook before arrival
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 giving directions
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

We are a new art center and are working hard to make parts of  the property accessible to everyone. At this moment we are not ADA accessible but if you think our space will work for you, please contact us and we will work to the best of our ability to accommodate you.  By it’s very nature, people with mobility issues will find it difficult to get around. We are at the bottom of a long gravel driveway and the facilities are located in separate buildings accessed via an extensive lawn, and through dirt paths through the woods.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available on campus
Case by case consideration by staff
Stipend available
Accessibility Contact Name
Abigail
Accessibility Contact Email
abigail@sheepscotart.org
Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
N/A
Common/Communal Spaces Information

The communal areas include the kitchen, dining room and living room, a growing library, and a digital workspace. There are 2 porches, old outdoor classrooms, hiking trails and mulitple outbuildings that residents can all use. Laundry facilities and a clothesline are available for residents to use.

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry on campus
WIFI available in housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
All meals
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Groceries provided for residents to prepare their own meals
Residents have access to shared kitchen
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
Snack and beverage provided
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Each resident is provided with a dedicated work space. 

Private workspaces include adjustable height tables, comfortable drafting chairs, lighting, storage, and walls or screens for hanging art, 

The communal spaces in the large barn include privacy screens, large work tables, tall stools, and lighting.

All artists have use of all the communal materials including extra tables, an easel, a light box, tools, extra lighting, extension cords, tarps, a wash station, and leftover communal art supplies. Artists also have use of the communal textiles studio and access to the wood shop and a small table top printing press. 

 

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Dance Studio Without Sprung Floor
Printers + Scanner
Easels
Drawing Benches
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Light Tables
Large Sinks
Textiles Workspace
Fiber Arts Workspace
Washer And Dryer
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by staff
Heat and Cool control access
Additional Studio Information

Residents must bring their own art supplies and are welcome to ship supplies in advance if needed.