Surf Point

View of Surf Point from above and looking to the Atlantic Ocean.

View of Surf Point from above and looking to the Atlantic Ocean.

Surf Point

Mission

Surf Point is a nonprofit organization on the coast of York, Maine that supports diverse visual artists and art workers through a residency; stewards 45 acres of coastal and forested land; hosts public programs; and promotes and shares research on our historic legacy.

Program

In keeping with the vision of our founders, arts patron Mary-Leigh Smart and artist Beverly Hallam, Surf Point offers peer-nominated artists and art professionals 24-day live-work residencies in a boldly Modernist home on the coast of York, Maine.

Vision

We envision Surf Point as both a destination and a community hub, rooted in the Maine coast and connected to broader artistic and civic networks.

Values

Across all areas of our work, we prioritize renewal, access, stewardship, and community. These values guide how we support artists, engage with the public, and care for place. We are rooted in the legacy of Surf Point while continuing to build on it through the artists and communities we support.

Contact

PO Box 446
York, ME 03909
United States

Year Founded
2019
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded in historic site
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
3 weeks - 4 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
4
Collaborative Residency
N/A
Discipline
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Augmented Reality
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Choreography
Computing
Costume/Fashion Design
Criticism
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
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
Urban Planning/Design
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Only open to artists based in country the program is located
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Unrestricted funding
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
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
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Other
Additional Eligibility Information

Surf Point’s Residency Program launched in September 2019 with the goal of giving time, space, and support to visual artists and arts professionals. We provide the conditions to step outside of urgency and engage more deeply with one’s work, the surrounding landscape, and a small group of peers. Rather than emphasizing production, the program supports reflection, experimentation, and the possibility of meaningful exchange.

The year-round program offers up to four residents 24 days in live-work spaces within the Surf Point building. Designed as a small, self-directed experience, 8 cohorts per year represent different disciplines, identities, and perspectives. Residents receive a $3,000 stipend that may be used in any way they need.

Optional activities include curator-led museum visits, portrait photography sessions, guided nature walks and massage. Residents are invited to extend their stay by 4 days to participate in a public program, with an additional honorarium.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
36
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
100
Artist Stipend
3000
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Application by nomination only
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
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Samantha Butler
Accessibility Contact Email
samantha@surfpoint.me
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

All.

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

N/A.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Universally designed
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
N/A
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available 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
N/A
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Universally designed
Studio Support/Tech
No studio support provided
Heat and Cool control access