ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be at least 21 years old and not enrolled in a full-time, matriculated degree program. While not required, we strongly recommend that applicants have the ability to read and speak English.

Artists who participated in Vashon Artist Residency in 2026 are not eligible for the current application cycle and are welcome to apply to return in 2028. Alumni may apply using our streamlined Alumni Application.

COLLABORATIONS: If applying as a collaborative team, each artist must submit an individual application. In the application, you will be prompted to provide a proposal detailing the work your team plans to develop during the residency. Work samples should reflect individual work and may include previous collaborative projects.

APPLICATION CRITERIA & REVIEW: Selection for Vashon Artist Residency is based on demonstrated commitment to your artistic practice, the quality and strength of your previous work, the feasibility of your proposed residency goals and your ability to contribute to a positive, collaborative community of artists living and working together in a rural setting.

Applications are reviewed by a new panel of artists each year. Some panelists are alumni of Vashon Artist Residency and bring knowledge of the facility and location to the review process. Other panelists bring the experience of a discipline, culture or creative practice to the evaluation process.

RESIDENCY COHORTS: Each cohort will include up to seven artists.

EXPECTATIONS: We do not place productivity or public presentation requirements on residents. Artists are free to experiment, research, create new work and rest as they wish. Any work artists make at Vashon Artist Residency will be theirs.

DEPOSIT: Upon acceptance, a signed Resident Artist Agreement and a nonrefundable $100 deposit are required to secure your residency. The deposit cannot be waived.

SLIDING-SCALE RESIDENCY FEE: To ensure accessibility for artists across a range of income levels, Vashon Artist Residency uses a sliding-scale fee structure.

If selected, you will be asked to indicate the amount you are able to contribute, from $0 to the full fee, based on your financial situation. This approach helps support essential program costs, while maintaining access for artists of all income levels.

The full 2027 fee is $2,550 for a four-week residency and $1,275 for a two-week residency. Selection is need-blind, and jurors do not have access to financial information. Contributions directly support the residency and help sustain access for future participants.

Artists are responsible for their own food, supplies, shipping and travel expenses.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Please visit our FAQ page for additional information about the residency experience.

Image: Vashon Artist Residency Alum, Spencer Garland

ONLINE APPLICATION: All applications must be submitted through our online application portal (link available July 1, 2026).

APPLICATION FEE: A nonrefundable $25 application fee helps offset the cost of Vashon Artist Residency's online application system. If this fee presents a financial barrier, applicants are welcome to request a fee waiver by email with no explanation needed.

APPLICATION PREVIEW: Below is a preview of application questions that may require reflection and preparation. We encourage you to use these prompts as a guide while developing your responses and gathering materials.

Residency Preferences: Which workspace at Vashon Artist Residency best supports your practice?

Are you applying as a collaborative team?

Which sessions are your first and second choice?

What is your anticipated residency fee contribution?

Artistic Focus & Intent: In 250 words or fewer, please describe your current artistic practice and the project or line of inquiry you hope to pursue during the residency. How might dedicated time, space, and the natural setting of Vashon Artist Residency support or expand this work?

Please also describe the discipline(s) you plan to engage in during the residency.

Support Materials: Upload your current artist résumé, CV or bio.

Upload work samples. Accepted Media Types: Images (up to 10 files); Video (up to 3 files or links); Audio (up to 3 files or links); PDFs / manuscripts (up to 10 pages + cover page); External links (YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud).

REFERENCE: Applicant will be asked to provide one (1) reference. References will be accepted up to 8 days after the program deadline.

Your reference will be asked to fill out a form that will be emailed to them from our application system. Questions include:

• How long have you known the applicant?

• In what capacity have you known the applicant?

• How would you describe the applicant's ability to work independently and manage their own creative practice? Suggested length: 100 words

• How would you describe the applicant's ability to engage respectfully and collaboratively in a shared community or work environment? Suggested length: 100 words

• Overall, how strongly do you recommend this applicant for Vashon Artist Residency?

Image: Vashon Artist Residency Alum, Grace Athena Flott

APPLICATION PERIOD: 2027 Residency Application and the 2027 Alumni Application will open on July 1, 2026 with a deadline of August 19, 2026.

ALUMNI: Artists who attended Vashon Artist Residency in 2026 are not eligible for the current cycle and may apply for the 2028 cycle.

WORKSHOPS: Application workshops are offered to support artists applying for a 2027 residency. During these sessions, staff will walk participants through the application, answer questions and provide guidance for developing a strong application.

• Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - 9:30-10:30 AM Pacific. REGISTER.

• Monday, August 3, 2026 - 4:00-5:00 PM Pacific. REGISTER.

• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Noon-1:00 PM Pacific. REGISTER.

SESSION LENGTH: All 2027 sessions are four weeks, except Sessions 1, 3, and 9, which are two weeks and marked with an asterisk (*).

2027 SESSION CALENDAR: When you apply, you will indicate which residency sessions you are available to attend.

Availability is not considered during the evaluation of applications. After artists are selected, staff use availability information to help determine the best cohort placement. If offered a residency, artists must be able to commit to the arrival and departure dates of their agreed-upon session.

Session 1: January 11 - 25, 2027*

Session 2: February 1 - March 1, 2027

Session 3: March 8 - March 22, 2027*

Session 4: March 29 - April 26, 2027

Session 5: May 3 - 31, 2027

Session 6: June 7 - July 5, 2027

Session 7: July 12 - August 9, 2027

Session 8: August 16 - September 13, 2027

Session 9: September 27 - October 11, 2027*

Session 10: October 18 - November 15, 2027

NOTIFICATION: Artists who apply for the 2027 season will be notified of their application status by late October 2026.

Image: Vashon Artist Residency Alum, Zareen Choudhury