ELIGIBILITY: A residency is open to women visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists. Applicants must be over the age of 18, mature, self-motivated and directed. Project proposals must be compatible with available working spaces, facilities and resources. In the words of Ann Stokes, Welcome Hill Studios was “built by women, for women”. Our retreats honor that legacy and are open to all women—including trans women and non-binary people who feel aligned with the history and spirit of Welcome Hill.
ADMISSIONS: Residents are selected by a committee of arts and humanities professionals. Final acceptance and scheduling are made at the discretion of Welcome Hill Studios.
APPLICATION: Applications are accepted year-round, and may be submitted by USPS mail, or emailed to info@welcomehillstudios.org. Please click on one of the links provided for a printable application or an online-fillable PDF:
(Printable Application.doc) (Fillable Application.pdf) (Google Form)
SESSION SCHEDULE: Residency requests may be from one weekend to three months. While every effort is made to accommodate applicant's scheduling requests, we are not always able to grant first choices. Please indicate flexibility and restrictions on your application. Elissa will work with your request and let you know the availability.
REFERENCES: Each applicant is responsible for requesting two letters of reference from qualified individuals who are familiar with her work. Reference letters may be included with the application or posted under separate cover. Reference letters will also be accepted as a scanned letter in PDF form emailed to info@welcomehillstudios.org.
REAPPLICATION: Previous residents are not required to submit a new application to be considered for another residency. They may be asked to update their contact information or sign an updated waiver form. Returning residents are required to send in a $50 deposit which will be applied to the residency cost. It is non refundable unless we are given a 14 day notice of cancelation.
APPLICATION FEE AND DEPOSIT: Your application must be accompanied by a $50 application fee which will be applied to the residency costs. It is non refundable unless we are given a 14 day notice of cancelation.
RESIDENCY FEE: The residency fee is on a sliding scale. You are able to determine your own fee and we ask you to base it on your tax bracket.
$80-160 / weekend
$140-280 / 1 week
$275-475 / 2 weeks
$400-600 / 3 weeks
$475-800 / month.
Fees are payable by check once you arrive. If you would like help determining the fee, please contact Elissa.
PETS: If you wish to bring a pet, we charge a fee of $5 per night or $30 whichever is less. Please be considerate of others staying in residency when deciding to bring a pet that sheds considerably or a dog that barks.
SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted inside the studios.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Each resident enjoys a private studio—your choice of the Studio of One’s Own, the Guesthouse, or the Lean-To. Every studio includes a full kitchen, bathroom, full-size bed, and reliable fiber Wi-Fi. Towels and linens are provided, and there is a washer and dryer available on site. Kitchens are well equipped with cookware, utensils, and a coffee maker. Basic staples such as oil, sugar, salt, and pepper are provided, but residents are expected to bring their own groceries. A food co-op, supermarkets, and seasonal farm stands are all within a ten-minute drive. For detailed descriptions and photos, please visit the Our Studios page.
GROUNDS: Welcome Hill’s 120 wooded acres are beautiful in every season, with walking paths that wind through forest and field. Along the way, you’ll find open areas with benches for quiet reflection and a sculpture garden nestled among the trees. Each studio is stocked with a rain jacket, trail map, walking stick, and bug spray to make your walks more comfortable—just remember to bring sturdy footwear and a flashlight. Wildlife is part of the charm here: deer, turkeys, and rabbits are frequent visitors, and you may even glimpse a fox or a porcupine. While every cabin offers privacy and a sense of seclusion, they’re all within easy reach of one another, and someone is always available at the main house should you need assistance.
GETTING HERE: Brattleboro, Vermont, just ten minutes from the retreat, is served by Amtrak and Greyhound. The nearest airports are Bradley in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and Manchester-Boston Regional in New Hampshire. Whenever possible, we’re happy to provide transportation to and from Brattleboro’s train or bus stations. If we’re unable to accommodate your arrival time, local taxi service is available. We do encourage air travelers to rent a vehicle for convenience during their stay. For those without a car, we offer transportation to town twice a week. Over the years, we’ve learned that the quiet and solitude of the studios can feel quite different—especially for those arriving from city life. If you decide you’d prefer more independence once you’re here, there are two car rental agencies in Brattleboro with weekly rates.