2024 Residencies for Public School Teachers in Tompkins County

The Saltonstall Foundation is pleased to offer two special residencies in 2024 for local public school teachers in the arts. These 5-day, 4-night residencies are designed as an artistic retreat for teachers in the following disciplines:

  • Creative writing (any genre)
  • Photography / film / video
  • Painting / Sculpture / Visual Art

The residencies are totally free to attend. Six teachers will be selected through a lottery system for each residency.*

There is no jurying involved. Overnight stays are encouraged but not mandatory. Our stunning 200-acre property is located just eight miles east of downtown Ithaca in the Ellis Hollow neighborhood.

Note: For teachers who came to Saltonstall for the Teachers Residencies this past year (2023), we ask that you skip a year before applying again.

* We have wheelchair-friendly, accessible accommodations! Our new accessible space includes a one-bedroom suite with a roll-in shower, a private studio (for artists or writers), and a kitchen.

Two residencies offered

  • 4 nights: arrive Monday, February 19; depart Friday, February 23, 2024 (winter recess)
  • 4 nights: arrive Monday, April 1; depart Friday, April 5, 2024 (spring recess)

Based on the number of teachers who apply, we hope to give each winning teacher their choice of dates.

Since we receive financial support for this program from the Ithaca City School District’s Fine Arts Booster Group (an affiliate of IPEI, the Ithaca Public Education Initiative), we will reserve three spots (out of six) for teachers who work in the Ithaca City School District.

We welcome applications from teachers working in the following districts: Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, and Trumansburg

What is provided

  • a spacious private apartment with ample desk space and bulletin boards
  • for photographers: a private apartment that includes a built-in wet darkroom
  • a private bathroom
  • chef-prepared vegetarian meals
  • sheets, towels, and bedding

Put your name in the lottery! Fill out the application below by Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Questions?

Give us a call at the Saltonstall office: 607-539-3146 or email: lesley@saltonstall.org

“I feel so fortunate to have been the recipient of a Saltonstall Teacher’s Residency in March 2018. It gave me a chance to be removed from the demands of everyday life and find a quiet space in my mind for reflection, as well as time to really dive into some creative work that I rarely give myself permission to do. ”   – Naomi Raimon (LACS)

“The teacher retreat at Saltonstall was a luxurious gift of time for myself. As a visual artist, it is difficult to carve out blocks of time to produce and actually get into the mental space needed to create. Having five days in a grand studio space, meals prepared for me daily, and the quiet, serene atmosphere was incredible for my studio practice––I left my visit revived and on a strong momentum in terms of my art making. I am always grateful for the Saltonstall Foundation and the opportunity they provide for artist-teachers in our local area!”   – Jessica Stratton, Lansing

“My days at Saltonstall were transforming.  For years, I neglected to try for a spot, thinking to myself, “I’m not a ‘real’ artist.”  Some encouragement from a friend helped me realized that “real” wasn’t a requirement;  I just needed to have a project to work on and a desire to do it without distractions.  I also neglected to try because I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle the solitary quiet of a retreat.  Boy, was I wrong about that!”    – Mihal Ronen (Fall Creek Elementary)