🌲Forest Residencies

Appalachian Forest Stewardship Residency (AFSR)

Bainbridge, Ohio, United States

The Appalachian Forest Stewardship Residency (AFSR) is hosted by The Arc of Appalachia, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty, balance, and biodiversity of North America’s Great Eastern Forest, specifically in Appalachian Ohio. Since its founding in 1995, The Arc of Appalachia has saved over 7,000 acres of land and manages 20 preserve regions, providing refuge for over 1,100 plant species, including 80 rare and endangered ones, and tens of thousands of native animal species. The residency, held each fall in Bainbridge, Ohio, brings together artists and writers to develop work inspired by the natural environment. Participants engage in 12 hours of trail work, learning about forest management while having time and space to pursue their creative projects. The program encourages applications from individuals or groups of 2-4 with projects that explore the relationship between humans and nature. Accommodation and a conducive environment for creativity are provided for a low fee. Alumni include a diverse group of artists and writers who have found inspiration in the serene, natural setting of the Arc’s preserves.

Arcadia Sculpture Centre

Drymen, United Kingdom

Arcadia Sculpture Centre, nestled in the scenic Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park near Drymen, Scotland, offers a unique summer residency for visual and performance artists of all disciplines. This week-long residency provides artists with the opportunity to develop their practice, experiment with new ideas, and create site-specific installations within the Centre’s expansive indoor and outdoor spaces. Accommodation is provided in a custom-built artist’s cabin, and artists have access to a well-equipped studio space, materials, and tools.

Arteles Creative Center

Hämeenkyrö, Finland

Arteles Creative Center, located in Hämeenkyrö, Finland, is renowned as one of the largest and most international artist residency centers in Scandinavia. Hosting over 120 international artists and creatives annually, Arteles emphasizes freedom for creativity without external pressures, promoting long-term personal growth and mindfulness. Situated amidst the serene Finnish landscape awarded the European Union Landscape Award, the center offers a peaceful environment conducive to creativity. Facilities include private bedrooms, shared studios, and communal areas designed to foster creative and social interactions. Programs cater to multidisciplinary groups, supporting a wide range of creative activities from visual arts to research and writing, backed by extensive creative equipment and facilities.

Centro Selva

Campo Verde, Peru

Centro Selva Arte y Ciencia is an artist residency located in the Central Amazon region of Peru, specifically in the Ucayali region near Pucallpa. Founded in 2012 by Diana Riesco-Lind, the residency offers multidisciplinary artists from around the world the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Amazonian culture and environment. The residency spans over 400 hectares of agricultural and reforested lands, providing artists with a unique setting to focus on their creative projects. Centro Selva offers group residencies in July and August, as well as individual residencies throughout the year. The program promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue between artists and scientists, and residents present their work in Pucallpa or Lima. Artists from all disciplines are invited to apply and stay for periods of up to 20 days. While the facilities are basic, the residency provides a deep connection with nature and the Amazonian context.

Creekside Arts

Humboldt County, California, United States

Creekside Arts is a nature-immersed artist residency and retreat located in the redwood forests of Humboldt County, Northern California. The residency welcomes artists across diverse disciplines to focus on projects related to land, community, climate, and social justice. Artists receive private living quarters with individual studio spaces, set on a six-acre property surrounded by nature and outdoor performance areas. The residency offers two formats: flexible, self-directed retreats (minimum two weeks) and a curated, collaborative three-week Spring Residency Program. Creekside Arts fosters both solitude and connection, encouraging engagement with local communities through workshops, artist talks, and community projects. Resident artists participate in informal weekly gatherings and a concluding public showing or panel. The program champions diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive space for artists from varied backgrounds and experiences. Creekside Arts is a supportive environment for reflection, experimentation, and cultural exchange in one of Northern California’s most inspiring settings.

Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS)

Polson, Montana, United States

The Open AIR Artist-in-Residence program at the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) offers a unique opportunity for artists to engage deeply with the ecological and cultural aspects of the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, located within the University of Montana system. This residency emphasizes research, sustainability, and ecology, allowing artists to work alongside world-class scientists and researchers in a setting that fosters educational and professional development. The program provides artists with rustic cabin accommodations, studio space, and access to the FLBS's extensive resources including canoes, kayaks, biological collections, and a wood/tool shop. Artists can participate in community engagement activities such as presentations and workshops, and are provided with a modest daily stipend. The residency supports a broad range of artistic disciplines and strongly encourages applications from Indigenous artists and other underrepresented groups. It's a place-based initiative that connects artists with unique sites in Montana, enhancing their practice through site-specific interactions and community involvement.

Hambidge

Rabun Gap, Georgia, United States

The Hambidge Center, nestled on 600 acres in the North Georgia mountains, stands as the oldest residency program in the Southeast, committed to supporting the creative process across a wide array of disciplines. It welcomes visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians, ceramicists, chefs, scientists, and arts administrators, offering two-week to eight-week self-directed residencies. Each resident is provided with a private studio and living space, complemented by communal vegetarian meals four nights a week. This environment fosters solitude and interaction among a small group of residents, encouraging both deep work and meaningful exchange. Financial aid and Distinguished Fellowships are available to support artists during their stay. The Center’s setting offers a connection with nature, featuring trails, waterfalls, and a rich biodiversity that can inspire and rejuvenate any creative endeavor. Facilities include specialized equipment for various practices, such as the Antinori Pottery Studio and a Steinway grand piano, ensuring that artists have the resources they need. Accessibility is considered, with ADA-compliant studios available, though the natural, unpaved terrain may limit mobility for some.

Hub Feenix

Meltola, Finland

Hub Feenix, nestled in the tranquil southeastern Finland forest, offers a unique artist residency program that fosters creativity, healing, and connection. Located in a beautifully renovated former sanatorium, the Hub provides an inspiring environment for artists, writers, and other creatives to focus on their work while enjoying the serene beauty of nature. The residency program supports creative exploration and personal growth, offering both quiet, private spaces and opportunities for communal engagement. With a strong commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, Hub Feenix is an ideal retreat for those seeking inspiration and rejuvenation in a supportive, nature-immersed setting.

Hypatia-in-the-Woods

Shelton, Washington, United States

Hypatia-in-the-Woods is a retreat center located in Shelton, Washington, offering residencies to women in the arts, academia, and entrepreneurship. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest forest, the center provides a quiet and serene environment for women to focus on their creative work. The primary residence, Holly House, offers accommodations and workspaces for up to one month. The retreat aims to foster solitude and creative focus, allowing women to dive deep into their projects. Applications are accepted quarterly for residencies of one to three weeks, and residents are encouraged to engage with the local community through public readings or exhibitions. The retreat does not provide public transportation, so residents are required to have a vehicle during their stay.

Kaaysá Art Residency (Kaaysa)

Boiçucanga, Brazil

Kaaysá Art Residency is an artist-run organization located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, designed for artists, writers, and creators seeking to engage deeply with nature, local communities, and interdisciplinary practices. Founded and managed by women, the residency emphasizes decolonizing perspectives, reclaiming the wild body, and fostering non-hierarchical relationships. Kaaysá offers various programs, including themed residencies, open calls, and group initiatives, allowing for diverse creative formats and durations. The residency provides ample facilities, including private and shared studios, workshops, and recreational amenities, supporting up to 30 artists at a time. Participants can immerse themselves in the vibrant local culture, biodiversity, and collaborative environment. Kaaysá aims to integrate the local coastal region into the broader cultural circuit, leveraging its proximity to São Paulo for access to urban resources while promoting creative and ecological sustainability.

Sachaqa Centro De Arte

San Roque De Cumbaza, Peru

Sachaqa Centro De Arte, located in the San Martín region of Peru, offers a residency program that provides artists with the opportunity to focus on their creative processes in the serene environment of the Amazon. Open to national and international artists, this residency emphasizes eco-conscious art practices, with options for engaging in painting, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. The center promotes collaboration with local Kechwa communities, offering immersive experiences in traditional crafts like ceramics and weaving. Residents can choose between communal or private accommodations, with both options designed to encourage focus and creativity. The residency includes workshops in natural pigment collection, ceramics, and other sustainable art practices, as well as excursions to local waterfalls, nature reserves, and indigenous villages. Artists can exhibit their work during their stay, either locally or within Sachaqa’s studio spaces. Sachaqa Centro De Arte is committed to fostering a connection between artists and the environment, inspiring the use of locally sourced materials and sustainable techniques.

Skowhegan

Skowhegan, Maine, United States

Skowhegan, a notable summer residency program established in 1946 in Maine, focuses on engaging emerging visual artists with studio practices and peer interactions. Set on a 350-acre rural campus, it offers a collaborative environment for participants and faculty, emphasizing process, experimentation, and open dialogue. The program includes residents from diverse backgrounds and experience levels, with no educational prerequisites. Faculty provide mentorship through studio visits and lectures, but traditional instruction is absent, allowing artists complete freedom in their creative pursuits. Accommodations are shared, and studios are open 24 hours, encouraging work amidst woods and pastures. Technical facilities, including a wood and metal shop and a Media Lab, support various artistic needs. Skowhegan's unique offerings include a fresco workshop and a comprehensive art library, fostering a dynamic, community-driven artistic experience.

Studio Verde

Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Studio Verde offers multidisciplinary artist residencies that blend art, science, and environmental conservation across various global locations, including the Peruvian Amazon, Zambia, and Kenya. These immersive programs invite artists, curators, and designers to collaborate with local experts and eco-guardians, exploring the unique environmental and cultural challenges faced in these regions. Through a combination of workshops, field research, and hands-on experiences, participants engage in ecological restoration efforts, climate change mitigation, and community engagement, all while creating impactful artistic narratives that inspire environmental action. Studio Verde’s residencies focus on deep cultural immersion, with opportunities to learn from Indigenous knowledge and local conservation practices. While these are self-funded residencies, Studio Verde provides guidance in securing external funding. The organization supports the creation of art that bridges the gap between creative expression and scientific inquiry, ultimately fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and cultural exchange.

Valley of the Possible

Curacautín, Netherlands

Valley of the Possible is an independent cultural non-profit offering artist residencies, research programs, and interdisciplinary exchanges in Cañon del Blanco, Chile, and at Gagel Farm, Netherlands. The organization provides space for artists, scientists, and cultural practitioners to engage with ecology, sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and non-Western narratives through self-directed and research-based residencies. Participants explore themes such as land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, and human-nature relationships while developing their creative practice. At its Chilean base, residents stay in a rustic lodge in the Andean rainforest, with direct access to hot springs, native forests, and volcanic landscapes. The Netherlands location at Gagel Farm provides a structured research residency with a stipend, public engagement opportunities, and mentorship. The organization has also facilitated past programs, such as Black Earth, which explored indigenous ecological knowledge and food systems, and Exploration of a Multiform Space, a project merging experimental architecture and vernacular design. Through public events, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, Valley of the Possible fosters alternative cultural models and community-led ecological regeneration, creating a unique space for reflection, research, and artistic production.

WilderHaven

Chengdu, China

WilderHaven is an artist-founded initiative based in Southwest China that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary creation in deeply immersive rural settings. Founded in 2024, it offers artist and writer residencies in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, engaging directly with the region’s diverse landscapes and minority cultures. The residency supports visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and designers through flexible programs designed to bridge global practices with local traditions. With small cohorts and a balance of solitude and community, WilderHaven emphasizes experimentation, collaboration, and critical inquiry. Participants have access to studios, cultural excursions, and local engagement opportunities with ethnic Yi and Lisú communities. Group and pop-up exhibitions offer residents ways to showcase work locally and in major Chinese cities. Family-friendly accommodations, bilingual support, and curated events make it accessible to a broad range of creatives. The program is primarily self-funded but offers merit-based stipends to reduce participation costs for selected artists.