Dune Shack Residencies

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Aerial shots of C-Scape Dune Shack in the Dunes, C-Scape interior, Sunset at C-Scape, C-Scape in the dunes

Dune Shack Residencies

Provincetown, MA, United States

The Provincetown Community Compact announces 2026 dune shack residency applications are now open for C-Scape and Fowler Dune Shacks in the Cape Cod National Seashore, available April through November. Applications are due January 15, 2026. thecompact.org/dune-shacks.html

This artist retreat is an experience of solitude, reflection and experimentation. Artist residencies take place in the C-Scape Dune shack, which does not have running water or electricity. There is a kitchen equipped with a gas stove and refrigerator, and kerosene lamps and portable solar lights for lighting. Phone service is inconsistent and there is no Wi-Fi.

We offer three 3-week visual artist residencies, one for an emerging artist of color* that includes a $500 fellowship, named for the late David Bethuel Jamieson, a Black artist who spent time in Provincetown and died of AIDS in 1992. Another top juried artist will receive a $500 fellowship with their residency. 

The Compact also offers 1-week residencies for artists and the general public, and two 1-week funded residencies for writers.

*An emerging artist of color is defined as one who has yet to receive a major exhibition or showcasing opportunities and has not had extensive media coverage for their work. Artists of all ages may apply.

We also invite applicants to donate a voluntary "Honor Tax", which will be donated to the Native Land Conservancy, providing an opportunity to move beyond land acknowledgement.

Contact

PO Box 819
Provincetown, MA 02657
United States

Year Founded
1997
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded in a national park or land trust
Embedded in historic site
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Residency Length
1 week - 3 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
Architecture
Book Arts
Costume/Fashion Design
Digital Media
Drawing
Ecology
Environmental Arts
Film
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Public Art
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
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
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Children allowed for full stay
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Give artist talk or presentation
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Additional Eligibility Information

Visual artist applicants will be asked to provide up to 5 images of their work, CV, and artist statement.

Artists agree to meet once a week with a guided tour from the Cape Cod National Seashore

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
5
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
100
Artist Stipend
500
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Visual artists and writers pay no fee for their dune shack residencies. $500 stipends are provided for 2 of the 3 visual artist residencies. Writers residencies do not include a stipend.

Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Application Fee
20
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
Full description of accessibility on campus
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

The Dune Shacks are located in the Peaked Hill Bars Historic District in the Cape Cod National Seashore, and are accessible only by foot or dune buggy. The structures are primitive and historic and are not ADA compliant. The Compact provides transportation to the Dune Shacks.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Jay Critchley
Accessibility Contact Email
jay@thecompact.org
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

While we cannot promise to accommodate each situation, artists with limited mobility are welcome to apply. We are open to discuss the nuances of your particular situation and see if we can find a creative solution. 

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
N/A
Additional Housing Information
No laundry access
No WIFI in housing
Meals Provided
Residents have access to private kitchen
No meals are provided
Additional Meals Information
N/A
Computer/Internet Access
No WIFI available
No computer access available
Studios/Facilities Details

There is studio space to work in the living room, outdoors on the deck, and numerous locations out in the dunescape.

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
No studio support provided