---
title: Mesa Refuge 2027 Residencies
description: Two-week residency in Point Reyes Station, CA for writers and activists working on pressing social and environmental issues. Housing and some meals provided, no residency fee.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/eb525835-966e-42a9-b100-6607b5b5f61a
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-03"
updatedAt: "2026-10-06"
programType: Residency
organization: Mesa Refuge
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/mesa-refuge
deadline: "2026-10-04"
entryFee: 35 USD
location: Mesa Refuge, Point Reyes Station, CA, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: No artist stipend, travel stipend or material stipend; no residency fee. Housing (private bedroom in a shared house) and some meals provided.
disciplines:
  - documentary
  - ecology
  - environmentalism/conservation
  - film
  - journalism
  - literary nonfiction
  - nonfiction
  - photography
  - playwriting
  - screenwriting
  - storytelling
  - tv + radio
  - writing
---

# Mesa Refuge 2027 Residencies

**Hosted by:** Mesa Refuge

**Type:** Residency | **Location:** Mesa Refuge, Point Reyes Station, CA, United States | **Deadline:** October 4, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $35

## About This Program

> "Ideas "on the edge": nature, environment and climate crisis; economic, racial and gender equity; social justice, incarceration and restorative justice; immigration; health care access; housing; democracy and more."

Mesa Refuge brings transformative stories, ideas, and knowledge to the world by supporting a diverse community of writers and activists through residencies at our coastal California retreat. We welcome a diverse group of writers—both emerging and established—who define and/or offer solutions to the pressing issues of our time. Particularly, it is our priority to support writers and activists whose ideas are “on the edge”, taking on issues including (but not limited to): nature, environment and climate crisis; economic, racial and gender equity; social justice, incarceration and restorative justice; immigration; health care access; housing; democracy and more.

We accept all genres, however, **we prioritize nonfiction books, long-form journalism, documentary film and podcasts.** The potential impact and distribution of your project is also important.

We aim to support a diverse community of writers and welcome applicants that represent a broad spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, religion or physical ability. We prioritize applications of first time residents. If you are a Mesa Refuge alum, please inquire about Alum Weeks.

### Application

We are a small nonprofit and our application fee of $35 helps underwrite the cost of application review. As an organization committed to equity, however, we do not want the application fee to be a barrier to apply. To request a fee waiver, please email nkansky@mesarefuge.org

The questions on our application are mostly short-answer. We require one writing sample (no longer than 2,000 words or 10 pages), a current resume, headshot photo (horizontally oriented), brief bio and two references (we do not require letters of recommendation). Applicants will be contacted in early 2027.

Please consult our FAQ page to learn more about applications and our facility.

### Logistics

**Mesa Refuge is located in Point Reyes Station, CA (about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco). Our residencies are two-weeks long and there is no residency fee.** Three writers are in residence at a time, living together in a house that has both private and shared spaces. You will need to provide your own transportation to and from the residency and most meals. Additional residency expenses like travel, transportation and food, are your responsibility.

**Our application deadline is October 4th for 2027 residencies.**

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Career Stage:** Open to all
- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** documentary, ecology, environmentalism/conservation, film, journalism, literary nonfiction, nonfiction, photography, playwriting, screenwriting, storytelling, tv + radio, writing
- **Note:** Residents have not previously attended Mesa Refuge (first-time residents prioritized). Open to writers and activists at any career stage, based anywhere in the world, though international travel cost is a barrier. Pets are not allowed. No collaborator teams accommodated due to limited residency size.

### Additional Requirements

One writing sample (no longer than 2,000 words or 10 pages), a current resume, headshot photo (horizontally oriented), brief bio and two references (letters of recommendation are not required). The questions on the application are mostly short-answer.

## Compensation & Benefits

No artist stipend, travel stipend or material stipend; no residency fee. Housing (private bedroom in a shared house) and some meals provided.

Artist stipend $0; travel/material stipend $0; residency fee $0; grant/scholarship/other funding support $0. There is no residency fee though you are responsible for your own travel, transportation and food.

## What's Provided

- **Housing:** Provided - Three writers are in residence at a time, living together in a house that has both private and shared spaces. Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** September 3, 2026
- **Deadline:** October 4, 2026
- **Program Start:** March 1, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** nkansky@mesarefuge.org

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://mesarefuge.submittable.com/submit/2147ace7-6dca-46a8-952d-6a356b70262c/application-for-mesa-refuge-residency-2027