Chicago Winter Artist's Retreats and Writer's Residencies 
Mission
We believe that for artists to flourish they sometimes need time and space to open up their minds. We, as artists, would like to share the wonders and inspiration of Chicago with you. Our goal is to provide other artists and writers with an opportunity to get away into the urban landscape; to be inspired by the city, its music; its neighborhoods, its culture; or simply have the time to work without distraction.
Winter creative Residencies and Retreats in Chicago
Writers or artists of all disciplines are welcome to participate and share the space with other creative individuals. Each day will be an opportunity to work, research, explore and communicate your experiences, joys and challenges of being a creative individual. During this week you will meet with other participants and some Chicago artists; our city has one of the most vibrant cultural art communities in the country.
Participation
- Open to participation by artists in all disciplines
- Meet local artists, who will share their work and inspire you
- Review Calendar of Events for Application Information and deadlines
- (Please check the calendar as some weeks have closed out at this time before checking your preferred weeks.)
Application
information
and
Complete application form online
"How quickly I have jumped back into the routines and demands that seem to govern my life...at the same time, I now bring to that a thoughtfulness about how i can continue the nurturing of creativity that I was able to begin and fully embrace during the week of my writing residency...Thank you so much for the support you provided during my week there...Thank you for feeding me both physically and creatively!" Lillian H. 2011 Writer Retreat attendee
"...I am still reminiscing and
understanding how important my trip and ... residency has been. From
the everyday of feeling spoiled with breakfast and little tea
sandwiches ... to the grandiose of the Chicago cultural scene. This
was my first time to Chicago ever. I had done some research but
nothing too terribly extensive, I really wanted to make my
experience about the unknown and choosing what I wanted to do in the
morning. Throughout the trip, I found myself in fantastic
one-of-a-kind stores and coffee shops to odd bookstores in Evanston
to visiting Iran in Wilmette with the B’Hai Temple. The art scene is
flourishing with gallery openings in the west loop, great public
artworks, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Renaissance Society, and
of course the well-known architecture from Frank Lloyd Wright. One
of the best exhibitions I had seen in the past month (after
traveling through New York City, Boston, and Washington DC) was in
Chicago in the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Yet, the most irreplaceable experience of the whole trip was the
great hospitality and warmth from the hosts... These two know what
it means to hold onto the little things in a world where the little
things are quickly forgotten." Katrina.
N., 2011 Artist Residency attendee
"I stayed for a week recently at the House of Two Urns after being granted a Writer's Residency fellowship for 2011. I was nervous at first and not sure what to expect. When I arrived, however, I was warmly and immediately greeted ... I live in a small studio...and was shocked by the amount of space, light, and incredibly comfortable decor that I was provided. I could go on and on. I do like living in small spaces (less cleaning involved), but love to stretch out once or twice a year at a comfortable B&B. Kapra even invited me to a wonderful dinner on Saturday that included her friends and family. Free off-street parking and no measurable snow for the early January week I was there topped off my wonderful experience at the House of Two Urns!" Cathy H., 2011 Writer Retreat attendee