Tips for Applying to an Artists' Colony

Applying to do a residency at an artists' colony can be intimidating, even for professional artists and writers. Here's how to do it right.

1. Follow the darn instructions.

There's a lot of stuff that goes into a typical artists' colony application. Besides the actual application form, you'll have to submit slides, a CD of your work, or a writing sample. You may also need to include a project proposal, recommendation letters, and a resume. Don't forget the application fee and a SASE! If you remember to include every part of the artists' colony application, you've already beaten out several other applicants.

Follow the instructions to the letter. "Submit five copies of your writing sample with your name only on the first page of one copy," may seem silly to you, but the application committee will be evaluating hundreds of applicants. The easier you make it for them, the more they will like you.

2. Submit work that goes together or suggests a larger project.

You might be the kind of painter who does a watercolor landscape one day and an oil portrait the next. That's great, and your body of work probably shows a wide range of talents and interests. Don't put everything and the kitchen sink in your application, though. When you apply to an artists' colony, you want to demonstrate to the application committee that you're capable of working on a project for a sustained length of time. Choose work that is part of a series or reflects a common theme to show them how focused you can be.

3. Submit a real proposal for the work you want to do there.

When trying to craft a project proposal, don't just say that you want to go for the time to work. Even though that's probably the main reason you want to apply to an artists' colony, that's why everyone else wants in, too. Stand out from the crowd by demonstrating that you have an idea of where your work is going and what the artists' colony can do for you.

Get specific. If you plan to take a month there to revise a novel, that's your proposal. If you plan to illustrate a series of lightning storms, that's your project. If you want to wait until you get there to see what you feel like doing, make something up. No one will look over your shoulder to make sure you're sticking with the plan, but you do have to have a real project in mind.

Along the same lines, if the artists' colony is near an historic site or a library that has a particular collection of documents, say something if you plan to use that as part of your work. If you're writing a novel about a cult that resided nearby, mention it. If you plan to sculpt bridges and the landscape is lousy with them, mention it. The application committee wants to admit people who will truly benefit from the experience, and the location of an artists' colony can be just as important for some as the time.

4. If you have been to an artists' colony before, offer concrete evidence of why the experience was good for you.

Don't be afraid to admit that you have been to other artists' colonies. Some artists are hooked and try to do two or three a year. If the admissions committee knows ahead of time that you like the kind of atmosphere an artists' colony provides, it can only work in your favor.

Examples of how to mention previous artists' colony experience:

"During my last residency, I finished a collection of short stories mimicking the life cycle of a marigold. During my stay at X Colony, I would like to revise this collection and begin work on a novel."

"While at X Colony, I had the pleasure of collaborating on a sound project with an artist I met there. I plan to use this residency to delve deeper into incorporating sound in my performances."

5. If possible, get recommendations from other artists and writers who have been to that artists' colony before.

There are many artists' colonies across the United States, but most writers and artists have heard of the big ones. Ask around. If you went to graduate school, find out if any of your old instructors or advisors have done residencies at the artists' colonies where you want to apply. It never hurts to have a familiar name pop up on your application packet.