Creative Writing Residency

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) extends an invitation for writers to apply for the organization’s 11-month residency program. One writer will be invited to spend the year creating new work.

Residents will have the opportunity to:

  • Work in residence at VisArts’ residency space
  • Attend a free class at VisArts during each session they’re in residence
  • Teach up to two classes at VisArts in the winter and spring sessions. Please note that residents are paid for teaching under a separate contract.
  • Host open studio events during major events throughout the year
  • Give a public reading, organize programming and/or have the opportunity to contribute work to the final resident artist exhibition
  • Host studio visits with donors, funders and friends of the organization, as requested

VisArts will provide the resident writer with:

  • $5,000 honorarium
  • $500 materials budget to be used for individual projects or toward their reading and/or other event
  • Private instruction hours from a VisArts instructor
  • Small, private studio space
  • Consultation with a literary agent at the conclusion of the residency
  • Professional headshots
  • Annual membership to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond
  • One-year membership to James River Writers and free registration to attend the James River Writers Conference, which takes place in October

ELIGIBILITY

The VisArts Writing Residency is open to all writers, from emerging writers with a demonstrated practice to established writers with a deep record of publication who are interested using this residency to explore new ideas. Past Annual Residents are not eligible to reapply. Current and past Studio Access Residents are welcome to apply for the Annual Residency at any time.

We highly encourage applicants to provide a description of the work they hope to accomplish while in residency, to expand on any specific project outlines, to discuss how this opportunity impacts their professional goals, and to include why this residency would be a good fit for their particular journey. For individuals applying from outside of Richmond, VA, we ask for a brief statement on how they plan to commit to being a Richmond resident if given this residency opportunity, as this residency does not come with housing.

Residents are required to live in Richmond for the year of their residency and are encouraged to become engaged members of the VisArts community. They cannot be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and must commit to spending at least 20 hours a week in the studio. Living quarters are not available. International applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis.

All artists over the age of 18 are welcome to apply, but in an effort to address systemic inequalities, we will prioritize applications from BIPOC artists and those that come from historically underrepresented groups due to age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications are accepted via the link below and there is no fee to apply. Applications will be reviewed by a jury, and finalists will be invited for a short virtual interview in the final stages of the jury process.

APPLY NOW

2025 – 2026 Annual Residency 

Residency Dates: September 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
Application opens: February 3, 2025 at 9 am
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 at 7:59pm
Decision notification: by June 13, 2025

Questions? Please contact the VisArts team at [email protected].