Visual art installation by Jodi Hays, 2021 Individual Artist in Residence. Photo by Phil Reynolds.

Inspiration. Immersion. Seclusion. Natural Beauty.

Trillium Arts is an artist residency center where artists of many disciplines can find a creative home away from home, offering secluded space for creating and rejuvenation in a beautiful, remote setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our current facilities are best suited to the disciplines of literary arts, photography, visual arts and arts administration.

Individual artists who do not require a rehearsal studio (such as writers and photographers) are encouraged to apply for a one week residency. Performing artists (such as choreographers and theater artists) are also welcome to apply, with the understanding that the Red Barn Studio may be available but for an additional fee starting at $35 per day. Learn more about the Red Barn Studio HERE.

Note that there is ample land and outdoor space available for ideation and research. We are currently unable to accommodate groups or collaboratives on the Trillium property. Individual artist residencies are a solo adventure during their time here and your residency will not overlap with other awarded artists. If an artist would like to bring collaborators, there are a variety of AirBnB’s available for rent in the immediate area. A list of recommended AirBnB’s is available upon request.

Musicians are welcome to apply with the understanding that they must rent the Red Barn Studio for sound rehearsals. Out of consideration for sound issues, sound rehearsals in the Red Barn Studio must conclude by 8:00pm and are not permitted in the artist apartment since artist accommodations are currently in the ground floor of a shared house. A Bluetooth speaker is available. No other sound equipment is provided.

Who is eligible? Artists of various disciplines (writers, photographers, visual artists, choreographers) at any stage of their careers are invited to apply. There is no application fee.

Residencies Include:

  •  Private accommodations in a one-bedroom, ground floor suite. (Phil and Heather live upstairs but resident artists have a private entrance). View the accommodations HERE

  • Welcome dinner with your hosts

  • Shared use of the grounds, including firepit, hot tub and waterfall area

  • Use of onsite creative spaces that include a contemplation gazebo and 220 square foot open air, covered workspace

  • Potential use of the Red Barn Studio for an additional fee (starting at $35 per day)

  • Basic kitchen supplies and all household goods (towels, linens, paper products, etc.)

  • Access to high speed fiber optic internet

  • Laundry facilities

  • Mentorship services (optional for an additional fee)

All 2024 residencies are one week in length. Artist arrival is on Sundays with a check-in at 3:00pm or after. Welcome dinners are hosted on Monday evening. The residency week ends with an optional Friday or Saturday night work-share. Check out is on Sunday mornings by 10:00am.

When to Apply for 2024 Residencies

January 22, 2024 deadline: for residencies taking place during May & June 2024. The Application submission period is open for six weeks from December 14, 2024 - January 22, 2024.

Specific Residency Date Ranges in May & June:

  • May 5-12, 2024 

  • May 12-19, 2024

  • May 19-26, 2024

  • May 26-June 2, 2024

  • June 2-9, 2024 

August 16, 2024 deadline: for residencies taking place during November & December 2024. The Application submission period is open for six weeks from July 1 - August 16, 2024.

Specific Residency Dates for Fall residencies will be announced soon. Stay tuned and sign up for our e-newsletter HERE to receive announcements.
Notification of acceptance/denial will be sent out four weeks after each deadline.

Residency Types

Independent Artist: This residency allows for an independent experience, offering individuals unencumbered work time with the optional support of Trillium Arts staff for brief questions.

Mentorship: This residency offers individuals unencumbered work time, plus five hours of mentorship/conceptual discussions with Phil and Heather.

 Rates for Residencies

Independent Artist: $600 for the week

Mentorship: $750 for the week

Payment Schedule:

Upon acceptance of a 2024 Residency, a 50% deposit will be due. This deposit is non-refundable, with the exception of unforeseeable circumstances due to the COVID-19 virus. Full payment of the Balance is due upon arrival. Additional payment instructions will be included along with Residency acceptance materials.

Financial Aid:

Trillium Arts offers a limited number of work scholarships. The scholarship is an exchange of eight hours of work during the residency week for a 50% discount off the residency fee. The work is directly related to the success of the Trillium Arts, such as community engagement, office work, facilities maintenance and improvement, gardening, internet communication. More info available in the application.

COVID-19 Policy: Out of concern for maintaining a safe environment, Trillium Arts is committed to ensuring that artists in residence and staff stay healthy. We will maintain and update our policies in alignment with recommendations by the CDC. At the time of this application cycle, no additional testing is required. 

Requirements:

Applications include:

· CV or Resume (not to exceed 5 pages)

· A one-page Project Description: Your description should describe your intention for a Trillium Arts Residency. What do you plan to accomplish? Who do you imagine would be most served by this project? What is its value? If this is a shift in disciplines for your career, please elaborate.

A one-page statement that addresses the question of, “Why Trillium Arts?” Be specific in how a Residency at Trillium Arts will benefit your creative work.

· One Letter of Recommendation: 

This letter should be submitted separately by an outside recommender. Provide your recommender with the email address of phil@trilliumartsnc.org to use to submit their letter. 
The letter should specifically refer to your proposed project. Be sure to choose someone who can speak specifically about your project, and we suggest you share your work sample with your recommender so they can be informed about your proposal. Recommendation letters need to be received by the deadline as well or no later than two days after the Applicant deadline. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your recommender has enough time to submit. In your letter,  the following two questions should be addressed:

1. What makes the applicant's project significant?

2. What do you find inspiring about the applicant's project?

The Letter of Recommendation needs to be submitted to phil@trilliumartsnc.org by no later than Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:59pm EST. (This is intentionally a two day grace period for external letters to be received after you have completed your application by the artist deadline of January 22.)

Work Sample:

· Please submit a work sample in the same genre as the proposed project to be undertaken during your residency. Work-in-progress is highly recommended. Your name should appear on your work sample. Please also include the date(s) of when the work was created.

A single work sample can be submitted in any of the following methods:

  • a PDF file in manuscript/written format for writers, poets, dramatists, etc, that is double-spaced, and in an easily readable, 10- or 12-point font. The file should not exceed 10 MB. 15 pages maximum

  • a PDF file in portfolio format for genres such as visual artists and photographers that shows a collection of images. The file should not exceed 10 MB. 15 pages maximum.

  • a link to a video format on your own Vimeo or You Tube page for live arts such as choreography, music and theater. The video should be no more than 15 minutes maximum.

Only one application per applicant. Please do not submit multiple applications in different genres.

Incomplete applications or late applications will not be accepted. Complete applications will be reviewed by a panel and decisions will be announced by early March.

We are not accepting applications at this time. The next Deadline to apply for residencies taking place in November and December is August 16, 2024 at 11:59pm EST.

To apply:

Beginning July 1, 2024, go to our online Google Forms application