The Wachtmeister Award is presented by VCCA every two years in rotation to a prominent writer, visual artist, or composer whose significant achievement in the arts is widely recognized. This award acknowledges the vital role of the arts in our world, the importance of artists who exemplify excellence in their field, and the necessity of time and space for the creative phase of all artistic work.
The 2027 Wachtmeister Award will be given to an interdisciplinary visual artist pushing the boundaries of traditional and nontraditional materials and approaches. Eligible applicants must have worked professionally for at least 15 years with substantial national or international achievement in their field, including publications, grants, awards, and/or other signs of achievement. This award is for someone who has never been in residence at VCCA. VCCA encourages artists of all backgrounds to apply. International artists are eligible.
The award includes a fully-funded VCCA residency of up to 30 days, to be scheduled between May 1, 2027, and August 31, 2028; a $1,000 honorarium; and travel expenses reimbursed up to $750.
A residency at Mt. San Angelo includes a private bedroom with private en-suite bath, a private individual studio, three prepared meals each day, and access to a community of more than 20 other artists in residence at a time. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mt. San Angelo is surrounded by natural wonders and hiking trails.
The solitary time artists receive at VCCA allows them to focus on their work without interruptions. Away from the constraints of “the real world” and in an accepting environment of talented peers, one can dream and create with the feeling that anything is possible. All opportunities to engage with other residents and the wider community through readings, open studios, etc., are entirely optional.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
The 2027 Wachtmeister Award will be given to an interdisciplinary visual artist pushing the boundaries of traditional and nontraditional materials and approaches. Eligible applicants must have worked professionally for at least 15 years with substantial national or international achievement in their field, including publications, grants, awards, and/or other signs of achievement. VCCA encourages artists of all backgrounds to apply. International artists are eligible. This award is for someone who has never been in residence at VCCA.
The fellowship must be scheduled between May 1, 2027, and August 31, 2028.
There is no application fee for VCCA's Wachtmeister Award.
The award includes a fully-funded VCCA residency of up to 30 days, to be scheduled between May 1, 2027, and August 31, 2028; a $1,000 honorarium; and travel expenses reimbursed up to $750.