How and when can I apply?

We post our application and guidelines here on our website when we have an open call to artists. We will open our 2026 Residency Application in the early summer of 2025. Please provide us with your contact information if you would like to receive notification about our open calls.

What is the selection criteria and process?

Applications are not evaluated for selection by staff. They are reviewed and prioritized by a panel of artists, which changes each year.

Some of the panelists are alumni of Vashon Artist Residency and bring knowledge of the facility and location to the review process.

Invitation to Vashon Artist Residency is based on demonstrated commitment to your artistic practice, strength of past artwork, feasibility of residency goals and the ability to co-create a positive communal live and work environment in a rural setting.

Is there an age requirement?

Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

Do you accept students currently enrolled in a matriculated program?

No.

How many artists attend the Residency at one time?

There are four artists, from two or more different disciplines, participating in each residency session.

How long are the sessions?

Each session runs for 3.5 weeks. In 2025, Sessions 1 and 8 will run for 2 weeks.

I heard that five BIPOC artists will receive a scholarship and stipend. How can I apply for that?

You don’t need to apply. Please complete your residency application. The selection panelists will review all eligible applications and will score each one. The BIPOC artists with the five highest scores will be awarded the scholarship and living stipend. If they are not in need and would like us to award it to the next artist, we will do so.

What is the cost of Vashon Artist Residency?

A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required upon acceptance to the Vashon Artist Residency, along with a signed Resident Artist Agreement.

We offer a sliding scale fee to accommodate artists of various income levels. The standard cost is $1,875 for a 3.5-week session and $1,125 for a two-week session. If you cannot pay the full fee, you may waive part or all of the cost in your application. Acceptance is need-blind.

Food, supplies, shipping, and travel are the artist's responsibility.

What kind of studio facilities are provided?

There are three basic, private, well-lit, multi-purpose workspaces. Each studio is approximately 250 square feet, with heat, air-conditioning, high ceilings and natural light. We will attempt to accommodate basic equipment needs, within reason. Such requests should be made clear in your application. Visit the workspace page on our website for additional information.

Does Vashon Artist Residency provide any studio equipment?

We have a limited selection of tables, stools, desk chairs, carts, etc. Please indicate in your application what equipment you require and we will try to accommodate.

How accessible is Vashon Artist Residency?

Vashon Artist Residency seeks to support artists of diverse abilities, both visible and invisible. Prior to applying, artists that have specific questions or concerns about accessibility or how to manage movement, medication, or any other physical or emotional concerns, should contact us so that staff may determine if we are able to accommodate your needs. Staff will keep personal matters confidential except in an emergency situation.

Three studio spaces at Vashon Artist Residency are accessible, however, our housing and sound studio are not. The Residency is situated on a slope that impacts accessibility at our facility. Parking and studios are accessed from a gravel driveway. Housing is down a concrete pathway and three sets of stairs from the parking area. Each bedroom must be accessed by stairs. The sound studio is located up the gravel driveway from the parking area and has a small path and three stairs at the entry.

If you require a certified service animal, please disclose this information in your application so we can accommodate you appropriately.

Do you allow pets?

Vashon Artist Residency is unable to accommodate residents’ pets. If you require a certified service animal, please see the above comments about accessibility.

Can I apply as a collaborative team?

You may apply as a collaborative team. To do so, you must apply individually and indicate that you are working as a collaborative time on your application. The application will also request you to outline how you plan to work as a collaborative team and what your needs are of the facility.

Can I apply as an International Artist?

We welcome artists from around the globe. We are happy to send a letter of acceptance for any visa or grant purposes. You must arrange your own visa. We strongly recommend that artists have a working knowledge of English. Vashon Artist Residency does not provides interpreters.

Can I choose which dates I attend?

When you apply, you will select which sessions you are available to attend. In 2025, all Vashon Artist Residency sessions are 3.5 weeks except Session 1 and Session 8, which are 2 weeks. The applicant’s availability to use the session awarded is a critical factor in finalizing residency invitations. If selected, artists must commit to the arrival and departure dates of their agreed upon session. We are not able to provide exceptions other than for emergencies. Agreements will be formalized in a written contract.

Do you require letters of reference?

One reference is required as part of the application process. You will be asked to add the name and email address of your reference and our application system will automatically email them with a form to complete. They will be asked to respond to a series of questions about you and your work on your behalf.

What sizes and formats of work samples are accepted for my application?

Images (up to 5MB each), Video (up to 250MB each), Audio (up to 30MB each), PDFs (up to 10MB each) or External media from YouTube, Vimeo and SoundCloud

Work samples can be finished or work in progress. You will have an opportunity to describe each work sample within the application.

If I was not accepted for the residency in this round, should I apply again?

Absolutely! Your application will be seen by a different panel at every deadline. We welcome return applicants. Please note that even if you were on the waitlist and did not receive a residency, you will still need to reapply.

How often can I apply?

Applicants who have not attended the residency can apply annually. If you have attended the residency, we ask that you wait at least a full calendar year before applying again.

If I was on the waiting list from last year or was accepted for a residency last year but was unable to attend, do I need to reapply?

Yes, you will need to reapply and we encourage you to do so. Our selection panel changes with each application round.

Are you open to the public?

Vashon Artist Residency is not open to the general public. We strive to maintain a private environment for our artists-in-residence to work, minimizing distractions and disruptions. Please make prior arrangements with the Executive Director if you’d like to visit the facility.

Image: Vashon Artist Residency alum, Rashelle Reyneveld by alum Hilary Northcraft.

Do you have any advice for an artist who has never participated in a residency program before? 

Vashon Artist Residency is a self-directed residency. You need to set your own goals and organize your daily routine accordingly to achieve these goals. We impose very little organizational structure. Not everyone is successful in this environment. It can be challenging to find a balance between the camaraderie which develops between residents while respecting each other’s privacy when living and working together. However, because we are a small residency, we can be a great introduction to the benefits of the artist residencies.

Do I need to confirm attendance after I’ve been accepted? 

We will contact you to confirm dates you are being offered. You will need to sign and return the Resident Artist Agreement as your confirmation by the deadline set forth in your acceptance letter.  

How do I get there? 

There is a passenger/vehicle ferry that leaves from Tacoma to the south end of the island and from Seattle and Southworth to the north end of the island. You can use the Washington State Ferry Schedule to plan your trip. You may also want to consider the King County Water Taxi, which has limited hours, but is a lovely ride for those on foot.

If you need a ride from a Vashon ferry terminal to the residency, please let us know and we would be happy to pick you up from either ferry terminal.

Is there any public transportation on Vashon Island?

Yes! King County Metro operates public transportation (Routes 118 and 119) on Vashon Island and offers weekday service (Route 119) near to Vashon Artist Residency.

Is the Residency near the town of Vashon? How can I buy groceries and supplies?

The residency is not within walking distance to the nearest grocery, pharmacy, post office, etc., and the area has many hills. Bikes, helmets, and neon vests are available for residents, but public transportation is infrequent.

Staff can provide a weekly ride into town for groceries, errands, and visiting farm stands. Residents with cars are encouraged to offer rides to their cohort if possible.

Is parking available at the residency?

Yes, we have parking available for one car per resident. 

Can I have visitors? 

In the interest of preserving residents’ time and space to create, we cannot accommodate any partners, family or pets for overnight stays. If you would like to have a visitor, it must be approved ahead of time by the Executive Director. 

How is COVID-19 managed on the Island and at the Residency?

Vashon Island, recognized as a national model for rural and Tribal communities during the pandemic, continues to provide resources and timely information through Vashon Be Prepared.

Vaccination: Proof of vaccination and boosters are no longer required, but boosters are strongly encouraged for safety.

Testing: No longer required before arrival, but testing and isolation may be required if symptoms occur.

Staff: The Executive Director and Founder are up-to-date with COVID-19 boosters.

Changes: Residency sessions may be modified, delayed, or canceled due to COVID-19.

Are perfumes, oils, incense or smoking allowed?

We have learned many Residents have sensitivities. Smoking is prohibited on the premises. We ask that all residents and staff refrain from using or wearing scents or scented products.

How do I ship materials to Vashon Artist Residency? 

Although there are no art supply stores on the island, Vashon does have a drug store and hardware store with limited selections. If you need specific materials or tools, please bring them with you or mail them directly to the residency.  

We have limited storage so please plan to have your materials arrive no more than a week in advance of the start of your residency. There is a USPS Post Office as well as UPS and Fedex service through the Country Store on the island where you can mail finished work or supplies back. 

What if I have to cancel my residency? 

Please only accept the residency if you are certain you can attend. Ensure your personal, financial, professional, and visa-related affairs are in order. Notify us immediately if an emergency prevents attendance so we can offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.

Cancellations less than 60 days before arrival may cause inconvenience and wasted space. Application fees are nonrefundable, and residencies cannot be deferred. If you cancel less than 30 days before arrival, the residency fee is nonrefundable.

Is there a written agreement for my residency? 

Yes, there is a Resident Artist Agreement outlining both parties' obligations. By signing the Residents Artist Agreement, residents are agreeing to follow the rules and procedures in the Residency Handbook. Please return the signed agreement within 30 days of acceptance.

Is it possible to create installations on the property?

Yes, with the approval of the Executive Director and Founder. If you become inspired to create site-specific work while you are here, you must provide a proposal and be approved before installation. There is also the possibility of creating installation work off-site in collaboration with the Vashon community.  

What do I need to bring?

After you sign your Residency Artist Agreement we will provide you with our Residency Handbook, which outlines what we provide and what we recommend you bring to the residency for a comfortable stay.

What kind of storage space is available? 

The living quarters have a fair amount of closet space for clothing and the kitchen offers a pantry shelf for each resident. We have laundry facilities on site. 

What are the shared living expectations of residents? 

The residency is a communal living situation, so we expect residents will be respectful of the shared spaces, staff and each other.

Each artist is expected to take on one house chore such as taking out the garbage every few days.

We ask residents to recycle, compost, avoid toxic materials, and conserve water and electricity. We expect artists will leave their bedroom, bathroom, and studio as they found them. We hope residents balance focused work with engaging in shared experiences and conversations with others and the Vashon community.