The mission of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by providing uninterrupted time for work, reflection, and collegial interaction in a setting of great natural beauty, and to preserve the land on which the Program is situated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residencies

Application Deadline
The postmark deadline for accepting applications is February 15th, each year, for a residency in the following year.

Residencies
The Residency Program is designed as a retreat experience to pursue personal creative work and share in collegial interaction within a small community of artists. In this spirit residents are expected to commit themselves for the entire residency session awarded to them.

Residencies are awarded competitively, at no cost, to national and international artists in the disciplines of choreography, literature, music composition, visual arts, and media arts/new genres. We seek applications from emerging and mid-career artists, for whom appointments as resident artists may make a significant difference to their careers, as well as from established artists with national and/or international reputations. Applicants are evaluated by panels of arts professionals in each category. Those selected are offered living and studio space for four to five week sessions during the season which runs from mid-March through mid-November.

Housing, Studio Space & Meals
Residents work and are housed in two buildings on the ranch according to artistic discipline and creative project. Living quarters and studio space consist of a four-bedroom house and a unique, remodeled twelve-sided barn.

The rooms in the Artists' House are set up to accommodate writers, each with a large desk, work space, and outdoor deck. The Artists' House also contains the main kitchen, living and dining area, a library, laundry facilities, shared bathrooms, and a large deck.

The Artists' Barn contains three visual art studios, a large dance studio, a darkroom, and a music composition studio with a baby grand and electric piano. The studios are rustic with wood burning stoves and modest sleeping lofts. There is also a kitchen, a large common area, shared bathrooms, and laundry facilities in the Barn.

The Program employs a chef who prepares communal dinners Monday through Friday, and provisions both kitchens. Residents are expected to prepare their own breakfasts, lunches, and weekend dinners using ingredients supplied by the Program. Vegetarian meals are available.

Climate & Location
The Djerassi Program is located in a spectacular rural setting in the Santa Cruz Mountains over-looking the Pacific Ocean, yet is within easy driving distance of San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area. Annual temperatures range from lows in the mid-30s to highs in the mid-90s. Fog and wind occur during the spring and fall months. The rainy season extends from October through May, but there are sunny days all through this period. The property is located 40 miles south of San Francisco and 15 miles west of Palo Alto. The special quality of the residency experience centers around its genuine "retreat" atmosphere. There is no access to public transportation from the ranch. Rides to Palo Alto for errands are provided by the staff at least once a week. Transportation to and from the San Francisco Bay Area airports is provided by the Program on the first day and last day of each session.

Equipment
A slide projector and screen, digital video camera, TV, and VCR can be checked out to use on projects or for presentations. Standard power tools can be checked out of the shop. There are two Internet/Email stations set up in common areas to be shared by all of the residents. Also available in the common area are a Mac G4 with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office and a PC with Microsoft Office.

On-Line Applications

* Select this link for 2010 APPLICATION FORMS *

Application Requests by Post
To request an application packet by regular mail please send a self-addressed business-size envelope with sufficient postage for mailing a letter weighing 1 ounce to:
Applications
Djerassi Resident Artists Program
2325 Bear Gulch Road
Woodside, CA 94062

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                              the gift of time

© Djerassi Resident Artists Program 2009