artists-in-residence: spring 2024

Since 1974, the Centrum Artists-In-Residence program has welcomed hundreds of writers, artists and creative thinkers to immerse themselves in the historic charm and natural beauty of Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. The campus has sweeping views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, miles of wandering beach and forest trails, and a peppering of World War I–era batteries and bunkers.

Creative professionals from all disciplines and backgrounds can take advantage of charming cabins, studio spaces, and a rich array of resources. Residents can expect semi-rustic experiences in comfortable cabins or apartments. Visual artists have their choice of a few studios of different sizes, including use of the printmaking studio at Corvidae Press for experienced printmakers. Our campus includes several organizations with whom a resident can arrange to connect such as: Rainshadow recording studio, Madrona MindBody Institute, the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, Copper Canyon Press, and Northwind Art.

Above all, artists cite their residency as a unique opportunity to focus on their practice outside of many of the pressures of work, school, or expectation-based constraints.

Residency Programs:

Self-Directed Residencies are largely solitary, with an optional weekly coffee meet-up with other residents. These happen January-June, September, and November-December. This program is fee-based, with fee-waived scholarships available.

• Cost: $450/week for lodging plus $50-100/week for studio

• Time of year: September and November-June.

• Length: 1-4 weeks

The Emerging Artist Residency provides stipends, multiple resident gatherings, visiting artists & curators, and an open studio/public reading. This residency is aimed at visual and interdisciplinary artists in the Pacific Northwest who are towards the beginning of their creative paths and can benefit from the time to focus and receive support from a community of peers and specialists in their fields. This residency is always in October.

• Cost: No fee charged for this program.

• Time of year: October

• Length: 4 weeks

The Curator & Arts Worker Residency provides stipends, gatherings, and moments of facilitated conversation around key issues in the arts community. This residency is for independent, gallery, or organization-based professionals who curate a spectrum of artist experiences. For 2024, this residency is invitation-based.

• Cost: No fee charged for this program.

• Time of year: June

• Length: 1 week

In the Making residencies have public-facing components that could be a workshop, a temporary installation, a performance, or another type of community engagement at some point during the residency. Stipends and funds for these vary and are project-specific. These happen throughout the year. If you have an idea for In the Making, indicate so on your application with a brief description, and if selected, we’ll follow up to plan it in more detail.

• Cost: There is no fee charged for this residency.

• Time of year: Varies and depends on project. Typically between September-June.

• Length: 1-4 weeks.

Beginning in mid-2024, local artists residing in Jefferson County, WA can be considered for Centrum's Local Artist Studio Space Residency program. This is a workspace residency only and does not include lodging. This application serves as a way for Centrum to gather contact information for those looking solely for short-term studio space access. It is not a juried program.

At times, we have available studio space due to cancellations or other factors. We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to local artists in need of workspace. One of the benefits of participating in the Local Artist Studio Space Residency program is that every Tuesday morning residents meet at our Residency Lounge to talk about their work, learn about Centrum, Fort Worden, and Port Townsend, and most importantly, connect with each other. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet visiting artists in residency coming from afar, and truly embodies Centrum's key ethos of creativity in community!

• Studios range from $75 - $100/week with limited scholarships available.