Organizer Information:

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). VCCA provides time and space for national and international writers, visual artists, and composers to bring forth their finest works in concentrated solitude, free from the distractions of day-to-day life.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Richard E. Cytowic Nonfiction Fellowship (Part of the Spring 2027 Mt. San Angelo Residency Period).

This fully-funded residency of up to two weeks was generously established by VCCA Fellow Richard E. Cytowic. It is designed to support writers of long-form nonfiction by providing an intense period of creative work within a community of cross-disciplinary artists in the rolling foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Category:

Writing (Long-form Nonfiction).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to national and international writers of long-form nonfiction.
  • Demographic Focus: Preference is given to writers who are gay, residents of Washington D.C., or caregivers to an ill or disabled family member.
  • Returning Fellows: Artists may be in residence at Mt. San Angelo only once every two years. Returning Fellows must wait to reapply accordingly.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Workspace & Accommodation: A fully-funded residency of up to two weeks at Mt. San Angelo. This includes a private bedroom with an en-suite bath, a separate individual studio, and three meals a day in a community of cross-disciplinary artists.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $30 USD.
  • Fee Waivers: If the application fee presents a significant barrier, you can request a waiver. You MUST begin your application on SlideRoom first, and then email vcca@vcca.com to request the waiver at least 5 days before the deadline (by May 10, 2026).

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Portal: Applications are processed via SlideRoom.
  • Application Selection: You must apply using the general "Application for Mt. San Angelo Residencies, VCCA in Virginia – Spring 2027" application. You MUST select your specific interest in the "Richard E. Cytowic Nonfiction Fellowship" in Question 2 of the form.
  • Financial Aid: If you are also applying for general financial assistance, you must submit a copy of your most recent tax return or documentation of your income (be sure to obscure your social security number/national ID).

Key Dates:

  • Application Window Opens: February 1, 2026.
  • Fee Waiver Request Deadline: May 10, 2026.
  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Notification of Results: By August 31, 2026.
  • Residency Dates: Up to two weeks with flexible scheduling between January and April 2027.

Location:

Mt. San Angelo, Amherst, Virginia, USA.

Contact Information: