Tusen Takk Foundation Artist Residency

An image of Tusen Takk's building exterior against fall foliage and a blue sky

An image of Tusen Takk's building exterior against fall foliage and a blue sky

Tusen Takk's beachfront on Lake Michigan partially covered in snow

Tusen Takk's beachfront on Lake Michigan partially covered in snow

Tusen Takk's main bedroom with a glass corner window

Tusen Takk's main bedroom with a glass corner window

Tusen Takk's library space with a resident working overlooking the forests

Tusen Takk's library space with a resident working overlooking the forests

Tusen Takk's painting studio with two figures in the forefront

Tusen Takk's painting studio with two figures in the forefront

Tusen Takk's printmaking studio with a resident joyfully holding up a finished print

Tusen Takk's printmaking studio with a resident joyfully holding up a finished print

Tusen Takk Foundation Artist Residency

Leland, MI, United States

Tusen Takk’s residencies are geared for artists to explore new ideas or expand current work. We look for ideas and work that will affirm and enrich the human spirit, giving form to chaos and perception to beauty. 

Tusen Takk was designed to host one resident, or two in collaboration, for residencies between three and eight weeks. The single most important qualification for artists invited to Tusen Takk is that they have created a body of work that exemplifies excellence and has (or could) significantly contribute(d) to their artistic field. Tusen Takk welcomes applications from both emerging and established visual artists in photography, printmaking, sculpture, painting, textiles, as well as creative writers and music composers.

Contact

Private
Leland, MI 49654
United States

Year Founded
2020
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Residency Length
3 weeks - 8 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
1
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Woodworking
Fiction
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Writing
Music
Opera
Symphony
Photography
Public Art
Companions
Pets (Non-service animals)
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Mid-career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Donate a work of art
Participate in public programming
How does your residency program support artists?
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
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

Artists should be self-motivated so they can be productive in the relative isolation afforded by a residency, with a giving spirit that’s exemplified by a willingness to share insights with audiences about their work and processes. While in residence, artists are encouraged to engage with the local arts community; this could take the shape of a small-scale workshop or studio visit, or a public artist’s talk, exhibition, or performance, either virtually or in collaboration with one of the Foundation’s partner organizations.

Tusen Takk welcomes applications from both mid-career and established visual artists working in photography, printmaking, sculpture, painting, textiles, as well as creative writers and composers who have/are:

  • The ability to produce a consistent body of high-quality work

  • A dedication to their artistic practice with a desire to spend at least 30 hours a week in the studio

  • The self-motivation needed to work alone. Unless the residency is to be a collaboration between two people, the vast majority of the time the resident will be living and working in solitude

  • A willingness to engage audiences

  • An openness to sharing thoughts on their work, their practice, and their processes through Tusen Takk’s online and printed publications

  • Comfortable communicating with Tusen Takk’s English-speaking staff and audiences

  • 21 or older

  • US citizenship or the ability to obtain a US visa (if needed). Most international artists can come on a visitor visa, but certain countries do not participate in the visa waiver program. Since delays can occur, international applicants should be sure to check the visa appointment wait times. Upon offer of a residency, the Tusen Takk Foundation is able to provide letter(s) of invitation.

  • Alumni Tusen Takk artists are welcome to reapply 5 years after their last residency

Please note that we are seeking applications from artists whose practice is based in the disciplines listed above, those best supported by our current facilities. At this time, we are not accepting applications from artists proposing to work primarily in movement, dance, performance, academic research, journalism/critique, or film (editing or production).

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
9
Artist Stipend
625
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

An honorarium of $625/week helps to cover residency-related costs including travel, shipping, materials, and day-to-day living expenses

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Fee
25
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
Accessible seating
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

While not 100% ADA compliant, a concerted effort was made to design the Tusen Takk Guesthouse for differing mobility needs. The living quarters and the conjoined painting studio, finishing studio, woodshop, and library are located on the ground floor (no steps). Arrangements can be made to move basement equipment up to the ground floor, if necessary. A spec sheet with doorway dimensions is available upon request. There are no elevators in Tusen Takk’s buildings and there are unpaved trails and paths throughout the property.

Any questions about the facilities and programs in relation to accessibility needs can be directed to Maggie Pavao, Assistant Director.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Maggie Pavao
Accessibility Contact Email
maggie@tusentakk.org
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

The living quarters and the conjoined painting studio, finishing studio, woodshop, and library are located on the ground floor (no steps). Arrangements to move equipment to accessible locations can be discussed. There are no elevators in Tusen Takk’s buildings and there are unpaved trails and paths throughout the property.

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

There are no elevators in Tusen Takk’s buildings and there are unpaved trails and paths throughout the property which is inaccessible for those using wheelchairs. There are studios with equipment in the basement. 

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Accessible Communal Spaces
Universally designed
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Housekeeping services
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Residents have access to private kitchen
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in studio area (private)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Piano
Finishing Room
Darkroom (Black And White)
Darkroom (Color)
Large Format Printer / Plotter
Large Format Scanner
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Music/Media Studio Non-recording
Music/Media/Recording Facilities
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Etching Press
Glass Inking Table
Drying Racks
Paper Soaking Sinks
Paper Tearing Table
Large Sinks
Large Exposure Unit
Papermaking Studio
Textiles Workspace
Floor Looms
Fiber Arts Workspace
Dye Area
Well-ventilated Spray Room
Washer And Dryer
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by staff
On-call Studio support provided