All of PLAYA’s programs focus on expanding and deepening the field of art and science to empower the human motivation necessary for a healthy and whole future on this planet. We believe if human society is to maintain vibrancy of culture and biodiversity, it needs new ways of seeing the world. Surrounded by the richness of both the Fremont National Forest and BLM public lands, PLAYA’s programs provide ample space for study, exploration and inspiration within the high desert’s living laboratory.
Art/Sci Awarded Residencies are funded opportunities available through an application process and awarded to artists and scientists actively working to promote dialogue and positive environmental change. Residents are awarded a residency in a cohort made up of 6-10 artists and scientists spanning many disciplines. Residents stay in 1- or 2-bedroom cabins free of charge, and are responsible for their own travel costs and food while they are in residence. PLAYA is open to international and domestic applicants as long as eligibility requirements are met.
Applicants may choose a 5-, 11-, 17- or 25-night session. Most residency sessions begin on a Thursday and end on a Monday. We cannot accommodate custom residency dates, so applicants must choose from the dates available. We are very happy to continue the more accessible 5-night residency option for residents who have commitments that make longer periods of time away from home harder to accomodate.
PLAYA recognizes that living in a remote and rural community can be challenging. If you have any questions about whether PLAYA is the best fit for you, please review our 2025 Know Before You Go Handbook. Additionally, if you have questions about the residency accommodations, please see the Cabins page of our website. For questions about the application process listed below, please call 541.943.3983 or email programs@playasummerlake.org.
Application process & Deadline
Applications for the 2026 Art/Sci Awarded Residency are due Saturday, May 31, 2025 by 11:59pm Pacific time.
PLAYA uses SlideRoom for the application portal. Applications will be evaluated on how aligned the proposed project is with PLAYA’s mission, the strength of the art and science connection in the applicant’s work, the quality of the work samples and how likely the work will evoke dialogue and positive environmental change. We do not accept residency applications by email, regular mail, or fax. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed; SlideRoom cuts off submissions at 11:59pm Pacific time on 5/31/25 so late applications will not be able to be submitted. We highly encourage you to read all application information and instructions carefully. Please note that the application questions are given as much weight at the work submissions during review. Your answers to these questions help the jury choose residents whose work is in alignment with PLAYA’s mission and whose work or project would most benefit from the natural science assets and living laboratory that PLAYA has to offer.
RESIDENCY DETAILS
Please review our 2025 Know Before You Go Handbook to determine if a residency at PLAYA is for you. This has information about our residency program, including what PLAYA provides.
To help contain the cohort culture of this residency, and due to the limitations of our small staff, family or friends are not permitted to join you overnight during this residency. Please contact us if you have an accessibility need that requires a caretaker to live on campus, or if you have someone driving you to and from PLAYA who needs accommodation for the first and last night of the residency.
Session Schedule
Applicants will be able to list their first, second and third choice of residency date, plus additional dates they are able to attend. While every effort is made to accommodate applicants’ schedule requests, we are not always able to grant you your first choice. We schedule based on the dates you pick and the studio/living space requirements you describe at the time of application. We cannot promise to reschedule you if your availability changes at the time of registration.
2026 Art/Sci Awarded Residency date choices:
JAN 15 – FEB 9, 2026: 25 nights
FEB 12 – 23, 2026: 11 nights
FEB 26 – MAR 9, 2026: 11 nights
JULY 9 – 14, 2026: 5 nights
JULY 17 – AUG 3, 2026: 17 nights
AUG 6 – 17, 2026: 11 nights
OCT 8 – NOV 2, 2026: 25 nights
NOV 19 – 30, 2026: 11 nights
Eligibility
PLAYA’s residencies are open to the global community of scientists and artists whose work promotes dialogue and positive change in the environment and the world. Both established and emerging artists working in any media (visual, music/sound, literary, journalism, video, interdisciplinary, new media, other) may apply. We encourage all artists and scientists to apply, including (but limited to) naturalists, biologists, musicians, designers, sustainability leaders, social practitioners, musicians, visual artists, writers and performing artists. Applicants must demonstrate how their work aligns with our mission and how they, or their project, will benefit from time on the land where PLAYA resides. All residents must be 18 years old or older. Residents’ work must be compatible with PLAYA’s available studio spaces, facilities, and resources, and with PLAYA’s rural setting and community (see below).
Regarding reapplication: Past residents or applicants must submit new and complete applications. Past residents must wait two years after the date of their last residency to re-apply to PLAYA; people participating in the the Themed Residency are exempt from this rule.
APPLY
Fees
This residency is free to attend but there is a $30 application fee. Payment will be collected when you submit your application. This fee covers the cost of using the SlideRoom service as well as contributes to the renumeration of PLAYA’s Program staff who manages the software. If this fee prohibits you from applying, please email programs@playasummerlake.org by May 29, 2025 to request a waiver. There is no explanation needed. Collaborative teams are welcome to request fee waivers for additional applications regardless of financial need.
Location:
Oregon, United States
Applications accepted through May 31, 2025!
Website link: https://playasummerlake.org/apply-for-residency/
