Organizer Information
The Jentel Residency Program is an initiative of the Jentel Foundation, a private non-profit organization located on a sprawling 1,000-acre working cattle ranch in the Lower Piney Creek Valley, just outside of Sheridan, Wyoming. Founded by Neltje, a celebrated artist and philanthropist, the foundation was established to provide a sanctuary for creative professionals. Jentel is deeply committed to the idea that a high-desert environment, characterized by vast horizons and significant quietude, is essential for profound creative breakthroughs. The organization maintains a harmonious balance between the rustic life of a ranch and the sophisticated requirements of modern artistic practice, ensuring that the legacy of the American West continues to inspire contemporary cultural production.
Title & Description
Jentel Artist Residency Program: A Focused Retreat for Creatives
The Jentel residency is designed to provide artists and writers with the rare gifts of time, space, and solitude. The program offers a one-month stay where residents can immerse themselves in their work without the pressures of daily chores, exhibitions, or public performances. By bringing together a small, intentional cohort of four visual artists and two writers per session, Jentel fosters a supportive atmosphere of intellectual exchange. The primary goal is to support the creative process itself; whether an artist is in the research phase of a new project or putting the finishing touches on a major work, Jentel provides the silence and natural beauty necessary for deep concentration.
Categories
Jentel welcomes a wide array of creative disciplines:
- Visual Arts: Including Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, and Mixed Media.
- Literature & Writing: Including Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Prose, and Creative Writing.
- New Media: Digital arts and Video/Film (provided the artist is self-sufficient with equipment).
Eligibility
- National & International: Open to artists and writers residing in the United States and abroad.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 25 years old at the time of the residency.
- Career Status: Open to both emerging and established professionals.
- Exclusions: Currently enrolled students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Accommodation: Residents stay in a spacious, modern residence with private bedrooms and shared living areas.
- Studio Space: Visual artists are provided with a dedicated 400-square-foot studio. Writers work in a large, private workspace within the residence.
- Stipend: Each resident receives a $300 stipend, which is distributed in weekly increments to help offset living and meal preparation expenses during their stay.
- Natural Access: Full access to the 1,000-acre ranch property for inspiration and recreation.
Application Fee
- Application Fee: $30.00 non-refundable processing fee.
- A $100 reservation deposit is due within two weeks of notification of the residency award and confirms the residency. If an applicant cancels their residency reservation less than two months before it starts, the deposit is non-refundable.
Application Requirements
- Professional CV: A current resume outlining exhibition or publication history.
- Work Samples: Visual artists submit up to 20 images; writers submit up to 10 pages of poetry or 20 pages of prose.
- Artist/Writer Statement: A brief description of your current practice.
- Personal Info & References: Contact details and two professional references.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
Jentel operates on two main annual cycles:
- Summer/Fall Session Deadline: 15 January 2026
- Winter/Spring Session Deadline: 15 September 2026
- Notification: Applicants are generally notified within 8 weeks of the deadline.
Location
Banner, Wyoming, United States
Additional Details
Residents are responsible for their own Travel Costs to and from Wyoming. Because the ranch is remote, having a personal vehicle is highly recommended, though residents often arrange shared trips into town for supplies. The "Jentel Presents" program offers a low-pressure opportunity for residents to share their work with the local community at the end of their stay.