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 is seasonal and availability is dependent on weather. The Red Barn Studio will not be available after October 31. Use of the studio is an additional fee of $35 per day.

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.

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 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)

All 2025 residencies are one week of seven consecutive days in length. Dates ranges are in late September, from Sept. 21-28, or anytime between October 10-November 14. Welcome dinners 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: Applications are currently being accepted for residencies one week in length during:

September 21-28, 2025, or
Anytime between October 10-November 14, 2025

When to Apply for Fall 2025 Residencies

Trillium will begin accepting applications for the Fall on May 15th. The application portal will be open for six weeks. The Deadline to apply for Fall 2025 Residencies is Thursday, June 26 at 11:59pm EST. 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 late July.

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 2025 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.

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. There is a form within the Submittable application to use for letter submissions.

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. Please ask the recommender to include their credentials and how they know you. 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 by no later than Saturday, June 28 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 June 26.)

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. Decisions will be announced by early September.

The Deadline to apply for Fall residencies is Thursday, June 26 at 11:59pm EST. This is a firm deadline and late applications will not be considered.