Customer Reviews

Artists Communities: A Directory of Residencies in the United States That Offer Time and Space for Creativity

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I'm just back from Johnson VT, The Vermont Studio Center, where artist residents were eagerly passing this book from table to table at meals. It appears to be a great time-saving source as applying for grants and residencies can be a full time job. VSC was accurately described so I'm hopeful that the other listings prove to be well researched. I'm listing 4 stars as I've just added this book to my shopping list, it may very well be a 5 star reference guide for artists.

This edition has been revised and updated to include nearly eighty residences in the U.S., including complete descriptions on each community from residency lengths and admission deadlines and fees to programs offered. Histories of the programs complete the overviews which will prove important for any considering an art community residency.

Diane C. Donovan Reviewer

I bought this book as a resource for ideas on what we might need to do in Waukegan, Illinois to create an artists community here. It seems clear that building around the arts is the most organic way to rebuild our downtown and lakefront area. As such, we are looking for ways to create new gallery and studio space, foster live/work space creation and even establish the City as a destination for artist colonies and retreats. Obviously, we don't need to reinvent the wheel. The best way to learn some of the things we could do is to study what other communities have done. This book has served that end very well. I plan to visit some of the communities and residences outlined in this book to learn even more of what could be duplicated here in Waukegan. Make no mistake, the book is not intended to be a "how to" book for creating an artists community, but by describing what various communities offer it serves that purpose aptly.

I, too, just got back from a two-week residency at Norcroft Women Writers Retreat in Minnesota. We passed this book around as well, scribbling addresses in our notebooks. The experience at Norcroft was so special, we wanted more opportunities. This book opened the door for us. Browsing other residencies was a joy. I am planning on buying my own copy.