The Best of Both Words (Not a Typo): Getting Away from It All to Write

The author of Un/Masked, Memoirs of a Guerrilla Girl on Tour, ASJA member Donna Kaz uses her alter egos—Guerrilla Girl and Aphra Behn, Guerrilla Girl on Tour—to create humorous pro-feminist/anti-sexist performance and visual art. The New York City denizen also has the distinction of being the recipient of seven—count ‘em, seven—different writer’s residencies, including two at the extremely hard-to-get-into Yaddo. The Sarasota Springs, NY colony has hosted 74 Pulitzer Prize and 68 National Book Award winners, 29 MacArthur Fellowship recipients and Saul Bellow, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1976.

What’s the secret to her success? “It’s like applying for a job or writing a book proposal,” she observes. “You have to pay careful attention to the requirements and follow the rules.” Darn it! We’d hoped that all that was needed was for the judges to read a few pages of our current, brilliantly written work of genius and an all-expenses paid retreat was ours for the taking. Preferably in the spring or summer or during high tourist season. Or even better, in an exotic, beautiful location.

Um, not so much. Along with information from the Alliance of Artists Communities (AAC), an international association of more than 1,500 colonies, Donna shares some suggestions to help snag and plan for the residency of your dreams.

Do your homework. Each colony has specific stipulations. Not adhering to these are far and away “the biggest reason why even accomplished writers get rejected,” points out Donna, who has also served on residency selection panels. Along with “following the guidelines to a ‘T,’ you need to send them your very best and most recent work,” within the number of pages/words stated, no more. And the project needs to be more than just an idea: “You also need a solid plan” of what you’re going to accomplish during your time there.”

Also, when applying, ask yourself how much time you can spare. Donna found that as her career progressed, she was pretty much limited to two weeks. According to the AAC, residencies can last from a week to a year or more, with an average length of two months. Some places have a set length, while others let you choose how much time you need.

Know what to expect. Once you get accepted into the colony, however, you’re pretty much on your own. “You can walk around and read books or just meditate, because that’s also part of the creative process and people respect this,” observes Donna. You will be free from the normal obligations of working from home, such as cooking meals, answering calls, and emails and walking the dog.

Which makes it even more important to choose the residency that best fits you and your work requirements. The AAC website likens it to selecting a college: “It’s not just the reputation that matters, but the people, the environment, the alumni support, and the style of the place.”  Also avoid getting hung up on geography. “You can find isolated, bucolic retreats in the middle of a city or vibrant activity in a rural area. The community within the residency is as important as the external community.” Location can matter, however, “if you’re looking for residencies outside your country, if your work incorporates the people and places around you, if you have a limited ability to travel, or if you are looking for a non-residential studio…in your own community.”

Sit down and figure out a budget. “Even the fully funded residencies express the hope that you will support the residency with a future donation, although it is never required.” says Donna. Other considerations include:

  • Fees and stipends required, even though some colonies offer partial scholarships, fellowships, payment plans and work exchange options. Even if there is no charge for your stay, “nearly all have an application fee,” she continues, so that should also be a factor in selecting which ones and how many to apply for.
  • Direct costs to you, such as meals, materials, and transportation. However, state arts councils may also have professional development grants that can help offset these.
  • Indirect costs—loss of income; cost of maintaining a home; and time away from family, including children and pets, which may require a sitter and (if applicable) outside employment.

“Research each colony and be flexible,” advises Donna. The latter includes applying during less desirable periods such as winter. “Many accomplished writers also teach so they only have the summer months free.” Not only will getting there be cheaper, “it will be easier to obtain financial assistance and a slot because competition is less intense.”

Understand the “rules of the house.” Each colony has its own culture. “Some require that you disconnect from the Internet and cell phone use is discouraged except for certain times,” she goes on. Others have specific “quiet periods” and request that you mostly stay on the grounds. Additionally, because you will be in close quarters with other writers and artists, “you need to be respectful of and play well with others,” whether it’s courtesy in sharing a bathroom or cleaning up after yourself in the kitchen.

Not all colonies are created equal. The living environments vary as much as the programs themselves and range from dorm-style to private rooms in a larger house to individual cabins or apartments. You can also choose a workspace that’s separate from your living facility or live and work in the same place. Meal preparation differs as well, from who provides groceries to who prepares food, how many meals are offered and whether kitchen facilities are private or shared. Some may find fixing dinner as a group an ideal way to socialize and get to know each other while others don’t want to deal with meal preparation, preferring to spend time working.

And, frankly “some colonies are better than others,” admits Donna. Rate My Artist Residency provides a list of the 10 best residencies and a color-coded map of the worst. So buyer beware:  “Some are just an apartment in the middle of town, offered up by owners who are looking to find someone to pay the rent.”

Also:

  • Choose references carefully, advises the AAC. References/letters of recommendation determine how well you’ll function in a self-directed environment and in community with others. So they should be from people who know you well and can speak to these things, rather than an acquaintance with a “big name.” If you have attended other residencies, consider using the residency director as a reference.
  • Start at the top and don’t give up. “I got accepted into Yaddo out of the gate, when I was really young,” says Donna. On the other hand, she applied to the MacDowell, the other granddaddy of all colonies, some 20 times and was waitlisted…once.
  • “Sign up for email blasts” from the AAC which provides the latest updates as well as information on residency deadlines.
  • “Putting together a basic, solid application that you can tailor and use to apply for different residencies” saves both time and frustration.

Along with making friends for life, residencies “not only allowed me to achieve my writing goals, but improved the quality of my work,” remarks Donna.  Being around writers and other types of artists may spark collaborations and ideas for new projects. “You get into a rhythm and have some wonderful conversations about the creative life. And getting a residency helped validate me as a writer—it gave me a much-needed boost of confidence and thus, my work blossomed.”