(making your art with your collaborators or in community with your art pals)
In 2025, creative collaborators can apply for a group residency retreat on the Hartley Hill commons in Westminster, VT. Between 2-6 artists can live and work on-site at a time; 2-3 if the collaborators require or prefer private accommodations, and up to 6 if those in the group enjoy shared accommodations. Retreats for groups of 10-12 are available if off-site housing is utilized with one of our partner inns, or for local artists who live nearby and choose not to stay on campus. If you plan to apply for a larger group, please contact us in advance at hello@insitupolyculture.org.
On-site facilities for collaborative retreats include: live-work space in the two yurts, ample tenting and camping space in the meadows and woods, and access to both private and shared studio spaces in our 2000 square foot renovated art-barn. A guest kitchen is fully outfitted for self-catering, and there are both an indoor guest bathroom, and an outdoor shower.
Focus and work at your own pace, rest in the peaceful rural setting, and enjoy being in your creative cohort with access to the beautiful land and wonderful local community.
These self-directed residencies will be scheduled in flexible session windows of 2-3 weeks in August & September, and 2 long-weekend sessions in October. A possible July session may also be announced.
Exact dates TBA upon application launch.
Media that fare well at In Situ Polyculture: Installation, painting, drawing, dancing, curatorial, writing, performance, acoustic music, found sculpture, clay (no firing facilities but pit-fire and self-made garden kilns are welcome), “kitchen-table” printmaking, cyanotype, photography, research, navigation, social practice, botanical & earth mineral based practice, pigment work…
The Art Barn & The Commons
Approx. 800’ square feet of flexible studio space with garden access includes 10’-high moveable studio walls, studio sink and composting toilet. Studio has concrete floors.
A spacious 600 sq ft hayloft salon with pine floors, tea and coffee and comfortable tables and chairs for writing, reading, planning and napping.
Air conditioned / heated space. Yoga mats and blocks, loads of cool books, a guitar and Adirondack chairs compliment the space.
Also: 10 acres of meadow and woodland to explore, move, make artwork in and rest in, in a bucolic setting. We have a campfire ring, gorgeous stars, and a beautiful viewing deck from which to sunbathe, work, or enjoy the view!
Media is not limited in the Art Barn, however we do not have appropriate facilities or infrastructure for hot-metal working or an established wood shop. We encourage the use of ecologically mindful materials, reduction or elimination of plastics and polymers, etc, as well as foraging with reciprocal, responsible practices, and the use of found objects.
In Situ cofounder Owen Schuh is available to support in any small woodworking needs, or to help make occasional saw cuts. We have some hand tools as well.
Yurts
provide a serene live-work space with comfortable bed (all linens included). 1-2 people per yurt, for collaborations.
Folks should be comfortable walking on woodland and grassy pathways that are maintained but may have some uneven footing. Yurts are not wheelchair accessible but are navigable for folx with canes or similar walking aids.
Art media in yurts are limited to “no-mess” — Watercolor, pencil, fiber-work and small non-heated metal, basketry. Anything that can be swept up with simple broom and dustpan, or wiped down with a moist rag.
Offsite / Collaborators:
While we do not have dark-room or printmaking facilities, we do have local resources & partners that can enable these media. We would be happy to help our residents make the connections to access these:
Vermont Center for Photography: https://vcphoto.org/
First Proof Press community printshop: https://www.firstproofpress.com/
Creative cohorts will apply with a single application— names and emails for all collaborators will be requested, but please designate a lead “applicant” to compile and submit your application.
Application will include: Up to 10 images / videos / links / files of your work, a statement of interest for the residency, a professional bio, any websites or links to professional portfolios, 2 references (not letters, just names and contact), optional CV.
Residency fees are on a sliding-scale, with 3 suggested rates; for those who can afford, those who cannot, and those who wish to invest in opportunities for other artists.
There is no fee to apply.
Registration coming soon