PLAYA Arts and Science Residency Program

Earth art on the playa created by Roger Asay and Rebecca Davis

Earth art on the playa created by Roger Asay and Rebecca Davis

View of main Commons lodge

View of main Commons lodge

Resident dinner on the Commons patio

Resident dinner on the Commons patio

View of resident cabins

View of resident cabins

Resident bonfire

Resident bonfire

View of resident cabins

View of resident cabins

Sandhill Printmaking Studio

Sandhill Printmaking Studio

Sandhill Studio

Sandhill Studio

Full campus view from above

Full campus view from above

PLAYA is located at the edge of this basin

PLAYA is located at the edge of this basin

View of Winter Rim above the PLAYA Commons

View of Winter Rim above the PLAYA Commons

PLAYA Arts and Science Residency Program

Summer Lake, OR, United States

PLAYA’s residencies are open to the global community of scientists, naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practice artists, musicians, visual artists, writers, performing artists, and collaborations and individuals engaged in interdisciplinary work or other forms of creative work. PLAYA welcomes a range of participants– from emerging scientists and artists to those with an established history of accomplishment.

Applications for 26, 12 or 5 days residencies are accepted once a year and reviewed by professionals working in each category.

PLAYA is in a remote, rural area of Oregon with wide open vistas and opportunities for field explorations in rich natural settings. Bend, Oregon, is two hours north and Lakeview is one hour south of PLAYA. Paisley with a population of 225 is 17 miles from PLAYA. Summer Lake consists of a gas station, small market, post office and rest area.  

PLAYA’s 76-acre campus sits alongside an intermittent desert lake which is 10 miles wide and 20 miles long. The campus is made up of the Commons building (where the only wi-fi on campus can be accessed), 6 cabins, 2 live/work units with attached studios, 1 homes for staff, three studios, and a small music studio.

Contact

47531 HWY 31
Summer Lake, OR 97640
United States

Year Founded
2011
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Community-engaged
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
12 days - 26 days
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
9
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Augmented Reality
Biology
Book Arts
Choreography
Computing
Costume/Fashion Design
Criticism
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literature
Literary Nonfiction
Mathematics
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Urban Planning/Design
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Donate a work of art
N/A
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Lead workshop for the public
Lead workshop for fellow residents
Lead a skill share
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

PLAYA’s Awarded Residencies are open to the global community of scientists and artists whose work promotes dialogue and positive change in the environment and the world. We encourage naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practitioners, musicians, visual artists, writers and performing artists to apply.

PLAYA welcomes applications from both emerging and seasoned professionals.  Applicants must demonstrate how their work aligns with our mission and how they, or their project, will benefit from time at PLAYA. All residents must be 18 years old or older. Residents’ work must be compatible with PLAYA’s available studio spaces, facilities, and resources, and with PLAYA’s rural setting and community. REAPPLICATION: Past residents or applicants must submit new and complete applications for each cycle. Past residents must wait two years after the date of their last residency to re-apply to PLAYA.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
84
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
150
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

If the application fee prohibits you from applying, please email us to request a waiver by 11:59 pm PT on June 27th at programs@playasummerlake.org. Any requests submitted after June 29th will not have time to be processed. Collaborative teams are also welcome to request fee waivers.

Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Fee
30
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
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
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

We have one ADA accessible cabin with attached ADA accessible art studio. The main Commons building is also ADA accessible. Our full campus and grounds are not fully accessible. Please reach out if you have questions about whether our residency is the right fit for you.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Kathryn Wilson
Accessibility Contact Email
programs@playasummerlake.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

N/A

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

An artist with limited mobility can participate in a residency at PLAYA but may be limited on how much of the campus they can enjoy. Gatherings and communal dinners are shared in an accessible space.

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

Our campus is large and folks may not be able to visit other residents in their cabins due to the distance between cabins, or enjoy the many trails as they are mowed grass and can be bumpy.   

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Our main Commons lodge is spectacular with sitting area, stone fireplace, a library, commercial kitchen that residents can use and dining are. it also has gorgeous windows and patio with views of the Summer Lake playa.

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry on campus
No WIFI in housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Residents have access to private 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
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Studios/Facilities Details

PLAYA has one printmaking studio and 4 multidisciplinary art studios.

Sandhill, the printmaking studio is an expansive space that houses 3 printing presses, a sink and large movable tables. The studio is 22′ x 22′ with ceilings that are nearly 18′ high. It has large wall space that can support pinned work or use the metal magnetic strip to hang prints. Windows are high on the north wall and there is a garage door facing south that can be opened creating an indoor/outdoor studio.

Avocet Studio has windows and a glass door that faces north. Other windows in the studio face east and south. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 11′ and is approximately 13′ x 22′.

Petroglyph studio has three windows that face east, south and west. It is approximately 10′ x 20′ with a 12′ ceiling. It has a closet with a sink, walls for pinning work to and three work tables. 

Diablo Studio is attached to Diablo cabin. It has a skylight and a sliding glass door that faces east. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 11' and is approximately 16' x 11'.

Wildcat Studio is attached to Wildcat cabin. It has a skylight and a sliding glass door that faces east. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 8' and is approximately 17' x 11'.

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Dance Studio Without Sprung Floor
Piano
Ceramics Workspace
Kick Wheels
Electric Kiln
Music/Media Studio Non-recording
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Printmaking Workspaces
Book Arts Facilities
Etching Press
Drying Racks
Light Tables
Papermaking Studio
Textiles Workspace
Fiber Arts Workspace
Washer And Dryer
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studios/facilities Details
Heat and Cool control access
Additional Studio Information

N/A