PLAYA | Art & Science

PLAYA’s residencies are open to scientists, naturalists, biologists, designers, sustainability leaders, social practice artists, musicians, visual artists, writers, performing artists, and collaborations and individuals engaged in interdisciplinary work or other forms of creative work. PLAYA welcomes a range of applicants – from emerging scientists and artists to those with an established history of accomplishment. However, applicants must exhibit a recent history of focused work within the discipline for which they are applying. In addition, they must address, in the application, their ability to thrive in a remote, isolated community and be self-directed in their work. All residents’ work must be compatible with PLAYA’s available studio spaces, facilities, and resources, and with PLAYA’s rural setting and community. REAPPLICATION: Past residents must submit new and complete applications. Past residents must wait two years from their last application to re-apply to PLAYA.

All residency sessions begin on a Monday and end on a Friday. Applicants may choose between two-week, three-week, or four-week sessions.
PLAYA recognizes that each person is an individual and that each individual benefits from accommodations uniquely suited to their abilities. They welcome you to contact them with phone calls and emails that allows them to provide the best access possible to the events and programs. Please describe any accommodation that helps your participation. If you have any questions about the accommodations, residencies or the application process, please reach out to Chelsea at 541.943.3983 or [email protected].

Each resident is provided housing with a kitchen, and a place to work, either a studio or a desk area in their cabin (including one shared living quarters cabin). Except for twice-weekly group dinners, all meals and provisions are the responsibility of the resident. Living, work, and studio spaces have standard utilities, abundant natural light, open vistas in an expansive landscape, and are free of telephone, television, and internet. The Commons building has a commercial kitchen, a space for yoga or dancing, a ping-pong table, a loft work area with a projection screen, library, telephone with free long distance (USA only) and an iMAC with internet service and printer. PLAYA provides:

• Cabins with bathroom, beds, dining area, and full kitchens
• Comfortable furnishings
• Linens, blankets, towels, washcloths, pillows and a warm duvet
• Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, glasses, etc.
• A drip-style coffee pot and paper filters
• Dish soap, paper towels, and toilet paper
• All natural, biodegradable laundry detergent
• Regular mail delivery and pick up
• Phone for local and long distance calls within the US
• A shared iMac desktop computer for email and limited Internet access
• A safe, peaceful, quiet working and living environment
• A beautiful landscape
• Two dinners per week

Studios are available to accommodate printmaking, dance, music composition, visual and video arts, and certain areas of scientific research. Studios are equipped with worktables, chairs, stools, a utility sink, cabinets, shelving, and track lighting. Blinds allow individuals to control the amount of outside light. Several walls in each studio are covered in fiberboard; nails, staples, etc. and metal stripping for use with magnets may be used to hang work-in-progress on these surfaces. Standard, stocked items for each studio are cloth rags, stepladders, disposal bins and individual toolkits including hammers, pliers, wire cutters, a straight edge, levels, and an assortment of nails and brads. T-squares, heavy-duty extension cords, and a variable speed drill are available. A few easels and additional worktables are also available upon request. Upon arrival, PLAYA staff will orient each artist on proper hazardous waste disposal.

Residents are urged to bring an adequate stock of materials and supplies for their session. Please bring any tools or pieces of equipment needed on a continual basis. Bring your favorite art or tool supply catalog as well in case you need to mail order additional specialized supplies while at PLAYA. UPS and USPS are prompt in delivery. For more residency details, please read the residency guidelines.

There are no fees charged for a PLAYA Residency. However, your online application with deadline February 15, 2020 must be accompanied by a $35.00 non-refundable processing fee ($70.00 if applying as a collaborative team of two – four persons, and $140.00 if applying as a collaborative team of seven – twelve persons). If accepted, each resident (including each member of a collaborative team) is asked to submit a $150.00 deposit, which is refunded following the completion of a residency and is not refundable if a residency is canceled. As a nonprofit organization, PLAYA relies on donations and encourages those who have the ability to contribute to do so. You may donate online through the website, mail a donation, or choose to donate your $150.00 deposit.