Artists in residence
The Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) offers several opportunities for artist residencies each year. Located on the Leelanau Peninsula of Northern Michigan, Glen Arbor provides a perfect backdrop to create and explore. This awe-inspiring locale also offers the opportunity to work within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at Thoreson Farm, a farmstead in the historic Port Oneida district of the National Lakeshore three miles from Glen Arbor. This idyllic setting offers studio space in the rustic buildings that overlook open fields and woodlands. The National Lakeshore includes several miles of spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline, wooded hills and the Crystal River. The purpose of the GAAA residency program is to provide visiting artists with a respite from daily responsibilities to enable them to concentrate on their work.
We Provide Housing
Housing is provided in the village of Glen Arbor at the GAAA's one-person apartment. The furnished apartment includes a bedroom and living room, a small bath, and a limited "galley" kitchen. Resident artists will need to bring linens for a double bed and towels. The refrigerator is small; but two markets and many wonderful restaurants are within easy walking distance. Each resident artist will have a local host who can help guest artists get acclimated to the area. Household pets are not allowed under any circumstances.
Who May Apply?
Residencies are considered in writing, visual arts, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, ceramics, music, philosophy and creative research. The selection committee will consider requests in light of suitability for our present facilities. Artists who are chosen are expected to make a presentation to the community during their residency on the second Thursday evening of their stay. Artists may be asked, but will not be required, to donate to the GAAA one piece of work created during, or as a result of, their residency at the GAAA. Donated work will be added to the GAAA collection. Works in the collection become the property of the art association. In the event that GAAA decides to de-accession a work to contain the size of the permanent collection, GAAA reserves the right to auction/sell such work to generate funds to directly support the organization.
Selecting Dates
While the length of some residencies may vary according to circumstances and individual requests, the standard length of a residency is two weeks. Applications must be submitted by March 1 for the season (April - October) of the same year. This is not a postmark date. Applications received after the March 1 deadline will not be accepted. Applications will be reviewed promptly after the submission deadline with notification prior to the end of the month. In general, GAAA cannot offer residencies in July or early August as the apartment space is not available. The season may be extended through fall and winter, with work space limited to the apartment, for writers, musicians, and other practitioners of creative artistic and intellectual pursuits. Residencies are subject to scheduling availability that does not conflict with ongoing art classes in the Art Center and at Thoreson Farm.
How to Apply?
To apply for a residency, download and print the online application (link located below). Include samples of your work in the requested format and in the requested quantity. Any artist who has an active website is encouraged to submit the url address. Email applications will not be accepted. There is a nonrefundable $20 application fee.
Residencies are usually scheduled to begin on a Sunday afternoon and conclude by Saturday AM. When applying, please select your preference for dates on the application form. If you would like work samples returned, include an appropriately sized, self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail application packets to: Glen Arbor Art Association, PO Box 305, Glen Arbor, MI 49636. E-mail questions to info@glenarborart.org.
Click here for application form.