Monson Arts’ residency program supports emerging and established artists and writers by providing them time and space to devote to their creative practices. During each of our 2-week and 4-week programs throughout the year, a cohort of 5 visual artists and 5 writers are invited to immerse themselves in small town life at the edge of Maine’s North Woods and focus intensely on their work within a creative and inspiring environment.

Applications for a residency at Monson Arts are open to anyone at any stage of their career, working in visual arts, writing, and related fields (i.e. audio, video, photography, movement, screen and playwrights).

  
Fall Residencies:

August 26 - September 5 - 2 Week Residency

October 14 - November 7 - 4 Week Residency

Residents receive a private studio, private bedroom in shared housing, all meals, and $1,000 stipend ($500 for 2-week programs).

  
**Studios:**

Residents’ studios are located in newly renovated Main Street buildings that have been designed specifically for visual artists and writers. All of our studio spaces are outfitted to be as flexible as possible so that we can accommodate a variety of creative practices. Our visual arts studios are spacious and light-filled with large work tables and sinks. Shelving and portable storage carts are available as needed. Access is available to woodshop and metal shop facilities in nearby buildings for any fabrication needs. Our writing studios are comfortably furnished with work tables, office chairs, bookshelves, and reading chairs. For those working in time and sound based media: apply to the Writing category if quiet contemplation would be best for your project or the Visual Arts category if you need room and the opportunity to make and play sounds out loud.

  
**Accommodation:**

Residents live in newly renovated historic homes throughout town, within walking distance to studios and everything that downtown Monson has to offer. These are mostly 3 bedroom structures that are fully furnished and comfortable all four seasons of the year. Houses all have shared kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas with laundry machines, telephone, and other amenities as well. Wifi is available in all of our buildings through high speed fiberoptic service.

Fall 2024 Art Residencies 

In the fall of 2021, Monson Arts launched a new residency opportunity specifically for photographers. The Abbott Watts Residency for Photography at Monson Arts was established to support imagination, innovation and creative risk-taking for artists using the photographic medium.

  
This unique opportunity coincides with the general visual arts and writing residencies that take place through out the year at Monson Arts. Five placements per year are reserved for the Abbott Watts Photography Resident. The application process takes place during the general open call for all other residencies. Sessions are 2-weeks or 4-weeks.

  
**Session Dates:**

* September 9 - October 3, 4 Week Residency
* November 11 - December 5, 2 Week Residency

  

Each awarded Abbott Watts resident will receive a private bedroom in shared housing in Monson, all meals, and access to the photography studio located nearby in the town of Blanchard (about a 5-10 minute drive from Monson Arts).

  
The Abbott Watts Residency offers a stipend of $500 for 2-week residencies and $1,000 for 4-week residencies.

  
**Facilities:**

The photography studio contains a darkroom that will accommodate silver gelatin printing up to 40” x 50” from negatives 35mm to 8″ x 10”. The darkroom also supports any other analog alternative process.

  
The facility also includes a private digital studio, with workstation computers, large monitors and Adobe Creative Cloud software. The resident can bring their own computer equipment if they prefer.

  
In the main studio there is a 44” Epson digital printer, scanners, trimmers and a 48 x 96” dry-mount press. There are both analog and digital cameras available. Residents are expected to supply their own materials, film, paper, chemicals, etc.

  
DSL broadband is available at the studio in Blanchard and hi-speed fiberoptic internet is available in housing in Monson. Cellular phone service is limited in both locations.

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