---
title: Monastery Arts Residency OPEN CALL Summer 2026
description: Week-long summer residency at Catholic monastery near Elmira, NY for artists of all disciplines. $1,250 full fee with tiered pricing available.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/7566649c-b186-415f-9105-1e0375037b90
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-03-20"
updatedAt: "2026-09-30"
programType: Residency
organization: Orein Arts
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/orein-arts
deadline: "2026-04-12"
entryFee: 10 USD
location: Elmira, NY, United States
isOnline: false
disciplines:
  - acting
  - architecture
  - art history
  - book arts
  - choreography
  - computing
  - dance
  - digital fabrication
  - digital media
  - documentary
  - drawing
  - ecology
  - environmental arts
  - fiction
  - film
  - graphic design
  - illustration
  - interdisciplinary arts
  - journalism
  - literary nonfiction
  - literature
  - mathematics
  - mixed media
  - moving image
  - multimedia arts
  - music
  - new genres
  - nonfiction
  - opera
  - painting
  - paper arts
  - performance art
  - philosophy
  - photography
  - playwriting
  - poetry
  - printmaking
  - public art
  - science
  - screenwriting
  - sculpture
  - storytelling
  - symphony
  - textile & fiber arts
  - theater
  - translation
  - tv + radio
  - visual arts
  - woodworking
  - writing
careerStages:
  - Emerging artist
  - Established
  - Mid-career
---

# Monastery Arts Residency OPEN CALL Summer 2026

**Hosted by:** Orein Arts

**Type:** Residency | **Location:** Elmira, NY, United States | **Deadline:** April 12, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $10

## About This Program

> "Contemplation and creativity in a monastic environment"

The Monastery Arts Residency brings artists and writers to live, create, and seek beauty for a week under summer skies at Mount Saviour Monastery near Elmira, NY. It is the only arts residency in the world that takes place at an active Catholic monastery.

The week is a unique blend of solitude and community. During the day, residents work independently on their own creative projects, with access to over 1,000 acres of monastery grounds and sheep fields. In the evening, the group gathers for programming, work sharing, and community time. The residency is deliberately interdisciplinary, bringing together twelve to fifteen painters, writers, musicians, actors, and other artists per session.

The rhythm of the week is shaped by the monks' daily prayers, the Divine Office. No one is obligated to attend, though all are invited. There is limited cell service and Wi-Fi. The silence, the land, and the monastic schedule quietly reorganize how residents experience time, attention, and their own creative work.

Residents live in private single rooms in the monastery guesthouse. Meals are included and taken with the monks. Visual artists share a studio in the monastic crafts building; writers and musicians have access to the library, practice rooms, and a monastery piano.

Two sessions run each summer, Monday afternoon through Sunday morning. All residents must commit to the full week. Artists of all faith backgrounds, or none, are welcome.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Career Stage:** Emerging artist, Established, Mid-career
- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** acting, architecture, art history, book arts, choreography, computing, dance, digital fabrication, digital media, documentary, drawing, ecology, environmental arts, fiction, film, graphic design, illustration, interdisciplinary arts, journalism, literary nonfiction, literature, mathematics, mixed media, moving image, multimedia arts, music, new genres, nonfiction, opera, painting, paper arts, performance art, philosophy, photography, playwriting, poetry, printmaking, public art, science, screenwriting, sculpture, storytelling, symphony, textile & fiber arts, theater, translation, tv + radio, visual arts, woodworking, writing
- **Note:** Artists of all faith backgrounds, or none, are welcome. Professional status not required but practicing artists preferred. Applicants must be able to commit to full week. No cell phone service. Pets, partners, and children cannot accompany residents. Monastery is entirely smoke and drug-free with exception of responsible alcohol consumption.

### Additional Requirements

Letter of Application (max. 600 words), Work Sample/Portfolio, CV/Resume, Application fee (self-select any amount above $10, with $30 suggested)

## What's Provided

- **Housing:** Provided - Private single rooms in the monastery guesthouse
- **Studio Access:** Provided - Visual artists share a studio in the monastic crafts building; writers and musicians have access to the library, practice rooms, and a monastery piano.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** March 20, 2026
- **Deadline:** April 12, 2026
- **Program Start:** June 1, 2026
- **Program End:** August 31, 2026

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://orein.org/arts-residency