Expanding on Bearnstow’s long history, we welcome individual artists and small groups of collaborative partners in any discipline to submit proposals to our Artist Retreat program. We provide a place for in-depth creative exploration amid a pristine, wooded lakeside setting, rich with natural beauty and a spirit of camaraderie.
We understand the need for having time and space to do one’s work. Diving deeply into artistic collaboration and inquiry, experimenting with motion, media, sound, text or other materials, your time at Bearnstow can help spark new projects or bring vital detail to those already in development. Sharing wholesome communal meals prepared for you and other artists frees up additional time for reflection and letting your imaginations wander. Our hope is that your time away from the stress of your daily routine, spent in our deeply restorative natural setting, will reignite your creative energies.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
$450 for the first person + $425 for additional collaborators (up to 3 total artists). This fee includes 6 nights stay in a private cabin (shared with collaborators if applying as a team), 3 meals a day prepared and cleaned up by our chef and staff (plus snacks and non-alcoholic beverages), linens (bedding and towels) and use of all facilities shared with other residents.
Family retreats are available during our day camp programming where school aged children (6-13) are welcome to participate in our day camp program. Day Camp cost is included in the retreat fee. Children not participating in day camp are 1/2 price and must be cared for full-time (additional caretakers are also welcome as part of the retreat). We can accomodate a maximum of 5 people for a family retreat.
Limited full and partial funding is available with funding priority given to BIPOC and Maine based artists.
We will also consider fair work trade if you have a skill you would like offer in exchange for credit towards a workshop. In the past this has included photo/video documentation, graphic design, private lessons for community members/ residents, and more.