Caldera

Every winter we invite artists from all over the world to our Caldera Arts Center near Sisters, Oregon, for monthlong residences.

Artists are provided private A-frame cabins and share access to wet and dry studios, a darkroom, a kiln, editing facilities and rehearsal and performance space.

Because we believe a range of backgrounds enhances the communal experience, residencies are open to artists from any field, as well as scientists, engineers and environmentalists.

Caldera’s Artists in Residence program offers the gift of time and space. Residents are given a cabin, 24-hour access to studios and the time and space to create.

No money changes hands. Residents are responsible for food, travel, materials and other expenses.

By design, the residents form a small community of 5–12 artists, depending on the group. A weekly meal is shared and collaboration is encouraged.

Artists aren’t required to finish a project during their residency, but are encouraged to share their work with the nearby community. Many artists give presentations in the neighboring town of Sisters, or area schools, or migrate toward Caldera’s youth program and help with kids’ art projects.

Residencies last one month, and take place in January, February
and March.

The due date for applications is June 15.

Panels meet in late summer to review the applications, and
invitations are made in early September.

A panel of fellow artists and art professionals chooses 15–35 artists for the residencies each year. The panel changes each year in order to keep the program dynamic. Admission guidelines are given on the downloadable application.

Residents are provided a private A-frame cabin with sleeping loft, living room/work area, kitchenette, bathroom and a porch overlooking Link creek. Cabins are heated by woodstove, with wood provided. The kitchen has a coffeepot, two-burner stove, microwave, small refrigerator and dishes. The community kitchen in the Hearth Arts Center has a state-of-the-art kitchen and is ideal for communal dinners.

» click here for a virtual tour

While it is not required, an embrace of how art and nature communicate is encouraged at Caldera.

Artists who wish to apply as collaborators should apply with one project description, but separate references and processing fee. Collaborators share a cabin and studio.

There is one shared computer with Wi-Fi in the Hearth Arts Center, but the connection is spotty and unable to support large downloads. Most artists bring their laptops into the Hearth Center’s library, where Wi-Fi is available, in order to email or do other Internet work. We have supported Internet artists at Caldera, but they must be determined and good humored! Similarly, there is very little cell service; dependable service is a 20-minute drive away in Sisters.
A landline is available, but a phone card is required for
long-distance calls.

Professional artists from all disciplines, as well as scientists, engineers and environmentalists, are eligible. Alumni must wait a year before reapplying.

The 2013 application is now available. Please visit the
applications page.

Applications must be postmarked by June 15 and should include a fee of $35 made out to Caldera. Credit card payments can be taken over the phone.

Applications should be sent to Caldera, Artists In Residence Program, 31500 Blue Lake Drive, Sisters, OR 97759.

Electronic submission will be available starting mid-February.

Writers and others not needing an expansive space work in their A-frames which contain a large table and living area.

Visual artists work in one of Caldera’s two studios. One studio is primarily for photographers and includes a darkroom. The second studio is for visual artists of all kinds, and also includes a kiln. Both studios include natural light, table space, plenty of wall space, and a large loft space above the main floor.

Children, partners and spouses are welcome for day visits, but overnight accommodations are limited to residents only. We regret that pets are not allowed.

On the third Saturday of every residency, residents are asked to showcase their work in progress in an Open Studio event that is free and open to the public. While participation is not mandatory, it is encouraged.

Artists are also encouraged to present their work or create a workshop for a local school or community group. We can help set this up for artists interested in this opportunity.