About the Retreat
The Montello Foundation provides a solitary retreat where artists can experience the vastness of a desert landscape from a safe building, a "base camp" a unique space for inspiration and creation, a place that provides a shield from distractions in the solitude of the desert.
A building designed with a large shading roof under which there are two distinct spaces: one space for the bodily needs: eating sleeping washing, and a stove for the cold desert nights, and a second space for work: for writing painting drawing studying, a space for the first materializations of new ideas.
There is no cost for this program. Artists must cover travel and living expenses.
Additional Eligibility Information
Montello Foundation is a foundation dedicated to support artists who foster our understanding of nature, its fragility and our need to protect it.
The artist retreat at the Montello Foundation is meant to be a retreat from the urban environment. It will provide a new perspective for residents' work and give residents space and time for undisturbed experimentation and reflection for two weeks.
Selection of work:
The panel will look at your work with these guidelines:
- First, the quality of the work.
- Then, the relevance to the idea of the Montello Foundation: is it work which increases our understanding of nature, its fragility and our need to protect it?
- And also at the artist's commitment to get the word out. Is the artist working on shows in non-profit spaces? Does the artist organizes him- or herself events/happenings/exhibitions?
From the Foundation
"I have never been as clear-minded as I was during my time in the desert, immersed in nature, untethered from my cellphone. Every action was a decision based on what compelled me at that very moment. How remarkable to have the gift of timelessness and the ability to be so fully present; I tried every idea that came to me without judgement." - Kelsey Miller, resident 2025
The members of the judging panel were Sara Reisman, Johanna Rietveld and Anika Schroter of artswitch and Dylan Gauthier. The juror for the writers' applications was Susan Besse.
Eligibility, Fee & Duration
We are accepting national and international applications.
- Fee: There is no fee for artists to stay at the retreat, but artists are responsible for their travel expenses and for their meals.
- Duration of Residency: A residency is always for two weeks.
- Notification of Acceptance: notifications go out by the beginning of March.
The 2027 season is from May 1st until November 6th; applicants specify their preferred time and availability on the application form.
How to Apply
- Application Form: fill out the application form and save it as a PDF named with your last and first name plus _app, e.g. Smith_Jane_app.pdf.
- Fee: go to the donate page and transfer $20.
- Artist statement: provide a maximum 500 word artist statement, saved as a PDF named with your last and first name plus _statement. First, briefly describe your art practice, then, if it is not obvious, tell the jury what they are looking at or listening to. Note regarding AI generated statements: please do not submit an AI generated statement — the jury will be able to tell and will be disappointed in your submission.
- Bio: provide a one page bio or CV, saved as a PDF named with your last and first name plus _bio.
- Digital Images: send up to 8 digital images, individually named with your last and first name (e.g. Smith_Jane01.jpg), about 2000x2000 pixels, 72 dpi, no larger than 2.0 MB each, in .jpg format. It is not ok to send a PDF portfolio — images must be individual files.
- Video Work: provide a link in the Image Check List and indicate the length of the clip; for excerpts of longer work, give a brief summary on the Statement page. If the video contains music, the composer and performer(s) must be credited.
- Writers, Performing Artists and Composers: there is only one panel, mainly composed of visual artists and curators. Writers should submit 2 shorter samples (no more than 1500 words, excerpts permissible) and 2 longer ones with a synopsis. Performers should submit video links on the Image Check List. Composers should provide links to samples on the Image Check List.
- Check List: fill out the image check list and save it as a PDF named with your last and first name plus _list.
- Send: email all the files to info@montellofoundation.org. You should get a confirmation email.
Collaborators
You can apply as collaborators, but the retreat provides only one bed with bedding (an air mattress is also available — bring your own bedding). Fill out one application form but provide a bio for each member (or a bio for the collective) and mark the collaborator(s) box. The images and statement should be just one.
Family Members/Pets
Family members or partners are welcome, though the retreat is strongly encouraged to be a solitary experience. The desert environment might be hard on small children, and the maximum number of occupants at any given time is 4.