Art & creative community0 open opportunities listed
About the organization
Bloedel Reserve is a 150-acre public garden and forest preserve on Bainbridge Island, Washington, established by Prentice and Virginia Bloedel and opened to the public in 1988. The Reserve is dedicated to the idea that nature is a source of renewal and inspiration, and its mission encompasses horticulture, conservation, and the arts. Since 2015, the Reserve has hosted a Creative Residency program that invites artists, writers, composers, and other creative thinkers to live and work on the grounds for up to four weeks. The residency is rooted in the belief that immersion in a cultivated natural environment can foster reflection, experimentation, and new work. The program is intentionally small-scale, with only a handful of residents each year, and emphasizes the value of solitude and unstructured time.
Programs & opportunities
2 listed
Taking part
Applications are typically accepted once a year, with deadlines announced on the Reserve's website. The selection committee looks for artists at any career stage whose practice would benefit from deep engagement with the Reserve's specific environment—its gardens, forests, and wetlands. Proposals should articulate a clear intention for the residency period, but need not promise a finished product; openness to discovery is valued. Work samples should demonstrate a serious, ongoing practice. Given the limited number of spots, applicants are encouraged to apply only when the timing and fit feel genuinely aligned. There is no application fee, but residents are responsible for travel to Bainbridge Island. The residency provides lodging and a stipend; meals are not included, though kitchen facilities are available.