Visual art being created by Lynda Wright, 2023 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 facilities in the spring and fall months are best suited to the disciplines of literary arts, photography and visual arts.

For 2027, Trillium Arts is able to offer a NEW benefit of a $700 stipend to awarded artists.

Note that the use of the Red Barn Studio is seasonal and it will not be available to individual artists in 2027. However, 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.

Who is eligible? Artists of various disciplines (writers, photographers, visual artists, choreographers) at any stage of their careers are invited to apply. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. For applicants outside of the United States, please note that travel expenses are not covered. International airfare and visa will be at the expense of the applicant. Trillium Arts also encourages international artists to research travel visa requirements from their country to the United States. More information about obtaining a visa can be found HERE.

There is no application fee.

Residencies Include:

  •  A $700 cash honorarium

  • Private accommodations in a one-bedroom, ground floor suite. (Trillium’s co-founders live upstairs but resident artists have a private entrance). View the accommodations HERE

  • Welcome reception with your hosts

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

  • Use of a variety of supplies and onsite creative spaces that include a contemplation gazebo and a 380’ square foot open air, covered workspace. Learn more HERE

  • 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)

Residencies take place in the spring and fall of each year and are one week of seven consecutive nights in length. Welcome receptions are hosted on the artist's second day in residency. The residency week ends with an optional evening work-share. Check in time is after 3:00pm and Check out is by 11:00am.

Dates

Spring Residencies: Spring residencies can occur anytime during the month of April 2027. The exact dates are flexible and up to the applicant to define. Applicants can submit their requested dates for seven consecutive nights in the application form.

Fall Residencies: Fall residencies can occur during the month of October 2027. The exact dates are flexible and up to the applicant to define. Applicants can submit their requested dates for seven consecutive nights in the application form.

When to Apply for 2027 Residencies

The application process for all residencies for 2027, both in April and in October, will occur in one application cycle. Trillium will begin accepting applications on September 22, 2026. The application portal will be open for six weeks. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 11:59pm. This is a firm deadline and late applications will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed by a panel and applicants will be notified by mid December.

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 two hours of mentorship/conceptual discussions with Trillium Arts co-founders Phil Reynolds and Heather Hartley. Learn more about Phil and Heather HERE. Optional mentorship is available for a $75.00 fee.

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. While not required, the review panel will look favorably upon projects that include an ecological and/or nature based component.

· One Letter of Recommendation: 

This letter should be written by an outside recommender.

Be sure to choose someone who can speak specifically about your project, and we suggest you share your work sample/materials with your recommender so they can be informed about your proposal. Please request that the Recommender includes their credentials and how they know you. In the letter, the recommender should address the following two questions:

1. What makes the applicant's project significant?

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

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. Give a short, one sentence description of each visual work. Include the title, year and media.

  • 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.

  • Optional:

    You may also submit a short video,  three minutes or less, to describe and share more about your artistic process.

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 we may reach out if we have questions. During the review process, mild priority will be given to artists working with ecological or environmental themes.

Decisions for all Individual Artist Residencies in 2027 will be announced by mid December.

Beginning September 22, you can start your application here.

You will be redirected to Dapple HQ, the online software that Trillium Arts uses to collect applications. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Special Thanks:

Trillium Arts' 2027 Individual Artist Residencies are supported, in part, by Thomas Edward Frank, the Nabil Abed Fund for Artists, and Rob Pulleyn.