Sitka Center Residency

The beach with Cascade Head in the Distance

The beach with Cascade Head in the Distance

Sitka Center Residency

Otis, OR, United States

Sitka residencies provide time and space for self-paced work and reflection in an inspiring natural setting. Residents from a broad range of art, writing, performance and science-based practices come to Sitka to create and explore away from the familiar contexts and constraints of daily routines, and free from external expectations. Located within the unique ecosystems of Cascade Head and the Salmon River Estuary on Oregon's central coast, Sitka is a place where natural curiosity is sparked and creativity is unleashed.

Since our founding, we have hosted hundreds of visual artists, photographers, writers, journalists, musicians, composers, filmmakers, educators and a broad range of natural scientists and interdisciplinary creatives. We currently invite 14-30 practitioners to stay at Sitka each year. Some are emerging voices while others are practicing professionals, and our residents represent a diversity of geographies and cultural backgrounds. A range of personal and shared experiences are possible at Sitka, from sanctuary and solitude to cross-pollination and community.

Sitka is committed to equity and welcomes people from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences. Bringing together people from different backgrounds and fields of expertise is core to Sitka's art and ecology mission. From climate change and environmental justice to systemic racism and cultural appropriation, diverse perspectives help spark new ideas and collaborative approaches to address t

Contact

56605 Sitka Drive
Otis, OR 97368
United States

Year Founded
1981
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Embedded in intentional community
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Community-engaged
Experiential
Residency Length
2 weeks - 3 months
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
7
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Costume/Fashion Design
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Woodworking
Criticism
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Translation
Writing
Acting
Performance Art
Theater
Music
Opera
Symphony
Animation
Digital Media
Documentary
Electronic Arts
Film
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Photography
Sound Art
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Graphic Design
Illustration
Architecture
Environmental Arts
Landscape Architecture
Public Art
Social Practice
Storytelling
Urban Planning/Design
Biology
Ecology
Environmentalism/Conservation
Science
Art Conservation
Art Education
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Children allowed for full stay
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Emerging
Mid-career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Give artist talk or presentation
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
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 to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
32
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
245
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Living and studio spaces are provided free of charge. There is an application fee of $30 to help cover the administrative costs to carefully review each residency application. Sitka offers application fee assistance to those for whom this is a barrier. Each resident is responsible for all of their own travel and living expenses, including transportation food, toiletries and any supplies used in their work.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

If you are looking for funding and resources to cover your residency at Sitka please check out this link as a first step.

https://www.artistcommunities.org/funding-residencies

Application Fee
30
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
Written and or hard copies of text being presented
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

Sitka’s studios, the office and library are ADA accessible. We have one cabin that is ADA accessible The cabins and studios are situated on a steep slope that also impacts accessibility at our facility. There is a gravel pathway from the parking lot to the office. We have a courtyard behind and above the office that can be reached via car. This courtyard has ramps off of it with access to two studios and our ADA cabin. Please contact us directly with specific questions or provide information about your needs in your application. Sitka is unable to accommodate residents’ pets. If you require a certified service animal, please disclose this information in your application so that we may accommodate you appropriately.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Tamara Jennings
Accessibility Contact Email
tamarajennings@sitkacenter.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

For residents without access to a car we provide grocery pick-up services from our local grocery store.  residents can order their groceries online and we will pick them up and deliver them to the resident.

We can assist with connecting residents with volunteers to explore the local area together.

For orientation there is lot's of information we tell residents, we can assist with an orientation document with bullet points for residents to take notes on to help with processing all the information. 

How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

The office, library and all three studios are accessible for a person with limited mobility.  We have one house that is designed for a person with limited mobility..  

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

The campus is situated on a steep hill.  Most of the houses have stairs in order to access the living spaces.  The laundry room is not accessible without climbing stairs.

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private housing off campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry on campus
WIFI available in housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Residents have access to private kitchen
No meals are provided
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Ethernet provided in living or studio area
Studios/Facilities Details

The Sitka Center is located on a small 0.65 acre plot donated by the homeowners of the surrounding Cascade Head Ranch. Its facilities include the Collins Centrum, which houses a reception area, offices, and the Hale Reference Library; the Sculpture Studio, a work room for clay, wood, and stone; the Smith Studio, which houses Sitka’s Ray Trayle press and other equipment appropriate to printmaking; the Boyden Studio, the first building on campus used primarily as a painting studio; and the Edelman Studio, an exhibition and presentation space.

Sitka's studios are comfortable and flexible. We can provided basic items like easels, task lights, tables and chairs. One studio contains a printing press, and there is a small ceramics studio on campus. Sitka does not provide art or laboratory supplies used for art making or scientific investigation. Please talk with us about your specific needs.

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Ceramics Workspace
Electric Kiln
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Printmaking Workspaces
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Aquatint Box
Hot Plates
Paper Soaking Sinks
Light Tables
Large Sinks
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
No studio support provided