Since 1974, the Centrum Artists-In-Residence program has welcomed hundreds of writers, artists and creative thinkers to immerse themselves in the historic charm and natural beauty of Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. The campus has sweeping views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, miles of wandering beach and forest trails, and a peppering of World War I–era batteries and bunkers.

Creative professionals from all disciplines and backgrounds can take advantage of charming cabins, studio spaces, and a rich array of resources. Residents can expect semi-rustic experiences in comfortable cabins or apartments. Visual artists have their choice of a few studios of different sizes, including use of the printmaking studio at Corvidae Press for experienced printmakers. Our campus includes several organizations with whom a resident can arrange to connect such as: Rainshadow recording studio, Madrona MindBody Institute, the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, Copper Canyon Press, and Northwind Art.

Above all, artists cite their residency as a unique opportunity to focus on their practice outside of many of the pressures of work, school, or expectation-based constraints.

We’ve updated our application process and will be accepting applications for three of our residency programs (Emerging Artist, In the Making, and Self-Directed Residencies) via the same application portal between April 15-June 30, 2024. In your application, simply select the residencies you’d like to be considered for.

Our residency program is aimed at providing artists, writers, and creatives in all disciplines permission to relax, to focus, and/or re-invent their practice as needed. We believe that residencies are a central part of any artistic practice and that magic happens when you take time to reflect and focus on what matters most. We also believe that community matters, and that being in residence alongside others expands networks, fosters collectivity and friendship, and helps our arts ecosystem thrive. We encourage all applicants to read all about what Centrum Residencies offer here.

In this application stage, we will ask for:

Work samples, along with a link directly to an existing online portfolio if you have one, so that our panel can understand your practice. Our panels look to curate a diversity of practices, work that is relevant to contemporary issues and work that expands thinking in its field. Residencies are open to practices that include but not limited to: visual arts, writing, curatorial, performance, dance, music, and social practices.
Demographics to ensure that we are selecting from a diverse pool of applicants.
The type of workspace/accommodations needed for your work
One short paragraph about what a residency would mean to you.
Indicate which residency programs you want to be considered for.

Please see details for each residency on website.