The Sue-Je Lee Gage Sunlit Residency for Social Justice and Human Rights
Sunlit Residency honors the legacy of anthropologist Dr. Sue-Je Lee Gage, pioneering scholar of Amerasians in South Korea, change maker, beloved teacher and mentor whose talents and interests spanned the fine arts, the humanities, and the social sciences. Scholars, artists, writers, and activists are invited to apply for short-term residencies in her Ithaca, NY home to pursue projects related to the passions and interests that motivated Dr. Gage’s work for social justice, human rights, and the arts on a broad scale.
Sunlit Residency offers short-term residencies year-round as well as a fully subsidized competitive summer residency program at Dr. Sue-Je Gage's home, located just outside the Ithaca city limits and the Cornell University campus. Sunlit provides each resident with a private bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, communal, and studio space. Residents will be able to focus on their projects at multiple stages of completion in this comfortable, supportive, and inspiring environment. In addition, Sunlit Residency will provide residents with library privileges at Ithaca College; they can also access the libraries at Cornell University for a small fee. Residents are also free to pursue opportunities for community engagement during their stay.
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Applicants may apply for either the year-round fee-based residency program or the fully subsidized competitive summer residency program program.
Applications for the short-term fee-based residency are welcome on a rolling basis and will be reviewed within 14 days. Applicants will be asked to fill out the Application Form and email the following as Microsoft Word or pdf attachments to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com:
(1) Project Description: Submit a statement describing your proposed work, current stage of the project, and goals for completion while at the Residency.
(2) Work Samples: Scholars and creative writers are requested to submit a sample of written work. Artists are asked to submit fine art samples, or representations thereof. Activists are requested to submit a brief (about 250-300 word) description of past activities relevant to the proposed project, or other evidence of such activities.
Applications for the fully subsidized competitive summer residency must be submitted by the published deadline. Applicants will be asked to fill out the Application Form and email the following as Microsoft Word or pdf attachments to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com:
(1) Project Description: Submit a statement (max. 1500 words) describing your proposed work, how it aligns with the goals of the Sunlit Residency, current stage of the project, goals for completion while at the Residency, and a schedule for how you plan to utilize your time while at the Residency.
(2) Work Samples: Scholars and creative writers are requested to submit two samples of written work. Artists are asked to submit two fine art samples, or representations thereof. Activists are requested to submit a brief (about 250-300 word) description of past activities relevant to the proposed project, or other evidence of such activities.
(3) Updated Curriculum Vitae
(4) A Confidential Letter of Reference: The letter should be emailed directly to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com by a professional colleague and/or supervisor who is familiar with your project and your goals.
(5) Processing fee of $25: Payment should be made via our donation page on the website.
All materials for the summer '25 residency, including letters of reference, should be received by January 10, 2025
Initial review of applications will be completed by late-January at which point the selection committee will contact semi-finalists to schedule a short interview by phone or Zoom. Final decisions will be completed by mid-February 2025.
Accessibility
Artists with limited mobility requiring a wheelchair may have difficulty accessing certain areas of the home in which the residency program is located.
All entrances to residency have stairs, making accessibility challenging for anyone with limited mobility.
Housing & Accomodation
The communal spaces include a living room, dining room, kitchen, and study room.
Studio & Facilities
Each bedroom has a work space for writers and anyone working with graphic design or computer-based art. The downstairs area of the home features a studio appropriate for drawing and painting with oil.