Name: Fall 2026 Residency (September–November)
Start: 2026-09-01
End: 2026-11-30
Location: Vermont Studio Center

The largest international residency program in the United States, Vermont Studio Center was founded in 1984 on a village campus along the Gihon River in the Green Mountains, hosting over 500 artists and writers annually. Residencies run two to twelve weeks with 24-hour studio access and three communal meals daily Monday–Saturday. Three fellowship deadlines per year; approximately 35% of residents receive full fellowships. Facilities include a printshop, digital lab, and metal, wood, and ceramic studios.

Reviews

Anonymous Artistanonymous

Attended 2015 · September 26, 2015

Concerns raised by a former resident (unverified)

An anonymous reviewer described an uncomfortable welcome, recounting interactions with a member of the program's leadership that they found culturally insensitive, and said staff indicated such behavior was not isolated. They also noted that a studio-placement request to be near a collaborator went unhonored, and felt the program's culture leaned more social and 'vacation'-oriented than work-focused, which did not fit their goals. One unverified first-hand account. — Anonymous, 2015. Imported from the original ratemyartistresidency.com archive.

Anonymous Artistanonymous

Attended 2018 · January 4, 2018

Perfectly adequate -- Not really for writers though

Perfectly adequate -- Not really for writers though. Organizational quality is low. It is rather inefficiently run by other artists, who do not have a sense of business. For example, asked if I could make arrangements to send my books back home after the residency and I was told to leave a BLANK CHECK at the office and they would later fill in the amount to send the items back. They couldn't even provide an estimate on what it would cost. Here's a suggestion - on the last day, offer to get a van to drive people and their belongings the half mile to the post office. Run the shuttle throughout the day. You can even charge for it. Also, try to make sure that there is ALWAYS someone in the office. I was locked out of my crummy little room during a snow storm, and no one was available to let me in. I had to take the broken lock off the door with a pin knife. Two or three days later someone fixed the door. Also, the linens were not changed for the entire month that I was present. I was told to leave the items in the hallway and there they stood for weeks. — Anonymous, 2018. Imported from the original ratemyartistresidency.com archive.

Anonymous Artistanonymous

Attended 2017 · October 30, 2017

I stayed at Vermont Studio Center for three consecutive months

I stayed at Vermont Studio Center for three consecutive months. It was my first residency experience and I had the time of my life. I have attended six art residencies since then and VSC was by far the most social, interactive, academic... and expensive. The available work/study arrangements and financial aid are appreciated, but even still this is an expensive retreat. However, you do get your money's worth, since there are lectures, visiting artists, exhibitions, a library, networking galore, a meditation room, and incredible meals provided three times a day. Yoga is available, but costs extra. Since I was there for three months, I noticed that the tone of the month is heavily dictated by the group. In a group of 50 residents, I appreciated that VSC roughly pooled ten people from each decade: in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s+. There was a healthy mix of ages, disciplines and nationalities. My first and last months were friendly groups that meshed like a family immediately. The middle month was a little "younger" than normal and felt clique-y (for the record, I'm in my 20s, but wasn't feeling it). If you are not a social person, VSC might not be your cup of tea. I heard more than one person describe it as "artist summer camp," and they weren't being complimentary. Although I didn't partake in many parties, there was plenty of that going on. On the plus side of this, you are guaranteed to make life-long friends. Overall, I recommend Vermont Studio Center if you thrive off collaborating with other creatives-- and don't mind large group meals. — Anonymous, 2017. Imported from the original ratemyartistresidency.com archive.

Anonymous Artistanonymous

Attended 2020 · November 5, 2020

I took part in a four week residency at VSC in 2015

I took part in a four week residency at VSC in 2015. It is expensive but I saved up for this and it was worth it. It meant all the difference to have a place to sleep, 3 meals a day prepared for you, and visiting artists that did studio visits. Everyone was very dedicated to their work while I was there which was very motivating, I made so much work. At the time I really needed a space free from distractions and due to the amount of snow we got at the time it made it that much easier to focus on my work. Be aware that unless you have a vehicle, make sure you figure out how to transport your work home and make sure you document it really well! As with everywhere some residents were really nice and some not so much. Everyone had small groups of people they connected with and I am still close friends with a resident I met here. I do wish VSC would sell their green coffee mugs online, I would definitely purchase one! At the end of the day this residency is what you make it. I would recommend it to others who are dedicated to their practice. — Anonymous, 2020. Imported from the original ratemyartistresidency.com archive.