The Residency
Vashon Artist Residency offers artists space and time to create, connect and live in a community of artists on spectacular Vashon Island in the Salish Sea in Washington State. The residency is located on the shore of Quartermaster Harbor and provides comfortable living accommodations and work space for artists working in the disciplines of visual, dance, theater, music, media, literary and interdisciplinary arts.
Visual artist and Founder Cathy Sarkowsky’s deep desire to share this special place led her to establish this small artist residency, providing artists space to create and develop new work, the time to explore new practices and relationships, and the opportunity to rest and recharge their physical, spiritual, and creative energy.
The Residency provides housing and workspace, on a sliding scale, need-based fee structure. We currently offer 3.5 week long, self-directed residencies to emerging, mid-career, and established artists. We usually have four artists in each residency session. Any work an artist makes at Vashon Artist Residency will be theirs. We do not impose expectations on the artists.
We are committed to offering this opportunity to artists from different races, economic backgrounds, disciplines, home states and countries. We believe that welcoming artists from diverse backgrounds will stimulate growth and exploration for each individual and their cohort.
2023 Application
Applications for the 2023 year open on June 30, 2022 and have a deadline of August 25, 2022 at 11:59 PM (PST).
Vashon Artist Residency is open to artists working in all disciplines who are 21 years of age or older. Established, mid-career and emerging artists from around the world are welcome to apply.
We strive to make this opportunity accessible and include artists of varied economic, cultural and geographic backgrounds to stimulate an insightful, respectful and compelling communal experience.
There is a $30 nonrefundable application fee. If you feel this is an obstacle to applying for our residency, please email us for a waiver request.
Please see our FAQs for details about the residency and application review process.