17 art residencies in Maine

It’s hard to know where to begin when looking for opportunities to hit pause and go into the woods (metaphorically or literally)

…and to really hone in on whatever the projects are that have us rapt—whether we’re writing a screenplay, choreographing a show, building a sculpture, photographing a series, carving woodblocks, papercutting, letterpress printing, weaving, or or or or…

Need to hone? Apply for a residency!

I honestly feel like some of what feels so hard or inaccessible about residencies is just not knowing how to find them, so I did some of that work for you. Here’s a list of 17 artist residencies situated right in so-called Maine, USA (unceded Wabanakik territory).

(If you’re looking for writing residencies in the US, I’ve compiled a part I and a part II, as well as an International list.)

Some are fully subsidized, some are partially subsidized, and some are not subsidized at all.

Between all of them, these residencies take painters, illustrators, sculptors, ceramicists, curators, fiber artists, multi-media artists, narrative artists, performance artists, metalworkers, and more.

Residencies generally require an existing body of work for the application process, as well as a proposal for the work that will be completed during your time there. Keep this in mind as you’re planning your applications.

Note: at the time of this post’s publication some of these residencies have closed for submissions, some are open, and some will be opening later in the year. This post is meant to be a jumping off point. We can’t apply for opportunities we don’t know about!

Bookmark this post. Look through them! Apply! You really do miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.

Monhegan Artists’ Residency | 10-14 days on Monhegan Island, Maine. Free room and studio. One residency is specific to Maine art teachers. Stipend offered. Stipend and facilities vary between residency types. $25 application fee.

Hewnoaks | 1-2 weeks in Lovell, Maine. Rustic cabins, a lake. Fully subsidized. Geared toward collaborative multi-media projects and “disciplines converging”.

Bearnstow | one week in Mount Vernon, Maine. Multiple date options. $400 partially subsidized, with some financial aid and work trade opportunities available. Especially appealing if your project is somatic/movement-based.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts | two weeks in Deer Isle, Maine. Open studio residencies. A variety of mediums welcomed. Collaborations welcome. Fully subsidized.

Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture | nine weeks in Skowhegan, Maine. “...particularly interested in emerging artists with an interdisciplinary studio practice.” Artists working beyond painting and sculpture welcome. $16k tuition, various scholarships available. $20-$80 application fee.

Tides Institute and Museum of Art | 2-4 weeks in Eastport, Maine. Housing provided, meals not provided. Studios located in downtown Eastport. Various media welcome. Artists expected to engage with the community, schedule regular open studio hours, and host an artist talk. $0-$30 application fee.

Annex Arts | Castine, Maine. Summer residencies available. Subsidized. Some form of community engagement expected. Visual, media, and performance artists welcome.

Surf Point | three weeks in York, Maine. Open to visual artists, art writers, art workers, and curators. Nomination-based instead of application-based. Nominations selected by lottery for consideration.

Ellis-Beauregard Foundation | one, two, or six months in Rockland, Maine. Room and studio. $2k stipend.

Hogfish | Portland, Maine. A “regenerative” and “holistic” artist residency. Open to visual and performance artists. Various performance and collaborative opportunities available during residency. Single occupancy apartments, weekly stipend, and per diem travel stipend provided.

Monson Arts | 2-4 weeks in Monson, Maine. Visual artists and photographers welcome. Stipend provided. $25 application fee.

Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts | Newcastle, Maine. Several residencies available. Residency lengths vary. Residency and housing fees vary. Full and partial scholarships available. $25 application fee.

Sheepscot Arts Preserve | 7-10 days in Alna, Maine. Self-guided residencies (group residencies to be offered in the future). Communally-oriented. Subsidized. Stipends available upon request. Thoroughly reading the FAQ recommended.

Indigo Arts Alliance | 1-3 months in Portland, Maine. Residency and fellowship programs available for Black and Brown artists. Maine and Northeast-based artists offered $1k stipend. National and Internationally-based artists offered $2k stipend.

Illustration Institute’s Marilyn Faison Artist Residency | Peaks Island, Maine. Invitation only, though artists are welcome to share their contact information, websites, and portfolios with the residency for future reference.

Golden Apple Art Residency | two weeks in Harrington, Maine. Private lodging, studio space, and meals provided. Cost of $2950 with small stipends available.

Maine Creative Residency at The Sea Captain’s House | Waldoboro, Maine. $80-$110 per night. Small discounts available for stays of 6+ days. Work trade proposals accepted. Varied media welcome with some limited availability for metal work.

Note: don’t take me at my word. There may be application fees that I didn’t list. I left some things out here and there, I’m just not sure what they are yet. Do your research, read the details! Happy trails x

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I don’t ever want to gatekeep what I share in my Substack, but these postings do take time to compile—sometimes quite a bit of time—so I decided that this may be a good alternative: if you would like to “tip” me for any of the time it took to write this, if you felt moved or supported by it, you can buy me a coffee <3

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