Organizer Information:

Ragdale is a non-profit artists’ community located on architect Howard Van Doren Shaw’s historic country estate. Hosting nearly 200 creatives annually, it is one of the largest interdisciplinary artist communities in the US, offering uninterrupted time, a supportive environment, and dynamic exchanges within an 80-acre nature preserve.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the 2027 Ragdale Residency Program.

A residency at Ragdale offers individual artists 18 days of uninterrupted time and space to focus on their work. Residents gather on weeknights to enjoy delicious meals made with ingredients harvested from the gardens and have access to 20 acres of open prairie land. Annually, residencies are awarded to a diverse mix of visual artists, writers, dancemakers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists.

Category:

Multidisciplinary (Visual Arts, Writing, Dance, Music/Composition, Interdisciplinary).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Emerging and established artists working at the professional level in their fields.
  • Collaborations: Artists collaborating on a project must submit individual application forms and appropriate work samples, along with a joint description of the work. Collaborators must be accepted separately to attend as a group.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Workspace & Accommodation: An 18-day residency including private housing (in a private or shared facility), a private bathroom, a private live/work space, and access to cozy communal spaces.
  • Food: Chef-prepared communal dinners Monday–Friday and limited grocery basics.
  • Fellowship Awards (Optional): A limited number of fellowships are available. Fellowship recipients receive a fee-waived residency and a stipend of at least $1,000. (Note: Applicants may be awarded a residency without a fellowship award).

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $35 USD. (Fee waivers are available for those experiencing financial hardship by emailing admissions@ragdale.org).
  • Residency Fee Structure: Ragdale uses a flexible, self-determined fee structure. Residents may choose to pay according to a suggested sliding scale of $35–$280 per day ($630–$5,040 total for the 18 days), or determine another amount appropriate for their circumstances.
  • Deposit: A $100 non-refundable deposit is due upon contract completion. (Note: Fellowship recipients do not pay a residency fee).

Application Requirements:

All materials must be submitted electronically. Letters of recommendation are not required or accepted.

  1. Artist Statement: Explaining your work, vision, and/or story (max 1 page).
  2. Work Plan: Outlining your studio needs (max 1 page).
  3. CV / Resume: (1-2 pages).
  4. Work Samples: Showing work from the past 2-3 years (Visual: 8 images; Written: up to 20 pages; Time-based: up to 10 minutes).
  5. Work Sample List: Detailing title, year, media, dimensions, etc.
  6. Eligibility Statement: (Max 500 words) Only required if you wish to be considered for a fellowship.

How to Apply?

Submit your complete application through the official Submittable portal linked on the Ragdale website.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026 (11:59 PM Central Time). (Late applications will not be considered).
  • Notification Date: By September 2026.
  • Residency Dates: 10 different 18-day sessions are available between January 25, 2027, and November 19, 2027.

Location:

Lake Forest, Illinois, USA (30 miles north of Chicago).

Contact Information:

Fee Waiver Inquiries: admissions@ragdale.org

Website & Application: https://www.ragdale.org/residencies