Saltonstall: Accessible Retreat Space for New York State Artists & Writers

The 2023 – 2024 retreat season is here!

All available months are now available for booking. Please note: We’ll have a shorter season than usual this year in the main house because of a kitchen renovation starting April 15. The three spaces in the studio building will still be available during the last two weeks of April.

  • 2023 – 2024 season dates: November 15, 2023 – April 29, 2024.

Saltonstall’s six private apartments (two of which include studio space for visual artists) are available to Saltonstall alumni and to New York State-based artists and writers on a first-come, first-served basis for personal retreats. You must be a resident of New York State to stay at Saltonstall.

These retreats are designed to provide you with a private space and a quiet environment — free from the distractions of everyday life — for you to engage in your visual art or writing practice. Our facilities are designed for single-occupancy. We cannot accommodate couples or families.

We require a simple statement-of-purpose – an explanation of why you’d like to use the space and the nature of your work or project. There is no jurying involved. There is no application process.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Retreats are limited to one (1) per calendar year (Jan. – Dec.)
  • Retreats are limited to seven nights.
  • We are no longer able to accommodate 1-day retreats.
  • Once a reservation has been confirmed, any change to that reservation will require a nonrefundable $25.00 change fee.
  • We are not able to offer refunds if you cancel your retreat, and un-refunded payments cannot be applied to future stays.
  • If you are non-disabled and have booked the accessible space, we may ask you to move to another space if someone with mobility issues requests the space at the same time.

What We Provide

  • sheets, towels, pillows, bedding, toilet paper, laundry soap, dish soap
  • full use of the kitchen in your building (each kitchen includes a coffee maker, coffee grinder, microwave, stove/oven, dishwasher, pots, pans, all dishware, utensils, etc.)
  • a private bathroom
  • wireless internet access (we now have two routers: one in the main house, one in the studio building)
  • tables, and easel, and a utility sink in the visual arts studios
  • a wet darkroom (chemicals and paper are not provided)
  • a quiet, private space in which to work

What You Provide

  • payment-in-full at the time of booking
  • all groceries
  • your own transportation, including a car service if you are traveling by bus*
  • all supplies, equipment, and material you may need to work

House Guide

  • please respect the retreat-quality of the residency by maintaining a quiet environment at all times
  • wash (and dry!) your sheets and towels before you check out (there is a washer/dryer in each building)
  • keep the kitchens clean and swept daily
  • NEW THIS YEAR: upon check out, do not leave any food that you brought in the fridge/freezer. This includes condiments, salad dressings, etc. We appreciate that you don’t want to waste food, but we’ve learned over the years that random leftover food creates work for us and a mess for other guests. “Pack it in, pack it out” this year!
  • take out the recycling and the garbage at the end of your stay
  • clean the space! Cleaning protocols specific to each apartment and studio are now included in the room binder
  • please leave your pets, children, partners, and spouses at home
  • do not invite guests to visit you at the residency or to go hiking with you (no guests are permitted at any time on the property)

The Fine Print

We do not have a cancellation policy. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Your payment secures your apartment or studio and is non-refundable since we likely turn others away during that time period.

 

If you arrive a day late or decide to leave a day early, payment for the full retreat period is still required. Additionally, we understand that you may need to slightly alter the dates of your retreat after the initial reservation is made. (i.e. arriving a day earlier, staying a day later, etc.) However, we’re not able to offer a refund if the dates change results in a shorter stay. Additionally, once a reservation has been confirmed, any change to that reservation will require a nonrefundable $25.00 change fee.

Be prepared for winter driving

If you are booking a retreat any time between December and April, especially if you are driving from the greater New York City area, please be mindful that winter months in the Finger Lakes involve snow, and our driveway is often covered with it. (We do plow frequently, but still!)

The photo above shows the distance — more than 1/4-mile — from the bottom of our driveway all the way up to the residency buildings. At a minimum, you should have some familiarity with driving in snowy conditions and some confidence that your car has appropriate tires to get you up the driveway without any assistance.

While our driveway is black-topped and frequently plowed, it’s safe to assume there will be some combination of snow and a few icy patches here and there throughout the winter. You do not need four-wheel drive, but good tires and front-wheel drive are helpful. Please call or email us if you want to talk through this. We come to work every day, so we have lots of driveway experience!

*There are two main ways to get to Ithaca: by car or bus. (There is no train service to Ithaca.

 

  • Cornell University offers “campus-to-campus” – a luxurious, direct, non-stop bus service between Manhattan and Ithaca. If you choose this option, would disembark in the parking lot of the Cornell Veterinarian School, noted as “Southeast B Lot” on their schedule. (This is just a 10-minute drive to the Saltonstall.)
  • Ourbus is now offering buses between New York City and Ithaca.
  • ShortLine (or CoachUSA) also serves Ithaca from the Port Authority station. You would disembark at the Green Street stop downtown. (This is the only stop downtown.)
  • Greyhound serves Ithaca as well. If you travel by Greyhound, you will disembark at the Green Street stop downtown.

Sounds Appealing?

Saltonstall can now accommodate six individuals at any given time. The residency is comprised of two contemporary residential buildings, located about 100 feet apart. Each can accommodate three people, and each has its own full kitchen and laundry facilities.

  • The main house – includes three separate private one-bedroom suites (most appropriate for writers), a communal kitchen, dining and living room.
  • The studio building + accessible addition – includes two visual arts studios with adjoining private one-bedroom suites. This building also includes one one-bedroom suite on the ground floor most appropriate for writers.
  • The accessible addition connects to the existing lower level of the studio building. The accessible living space includes a roll-in shower, an adjoining accessible studio (for use by writers or artists), and an accessible kitchen and laundry facilities.
    • An adjoining one-bedroom suite is available for a caregiver.

More specific information describing each of our six spaces can be found below by clicking on the photos or name of the room.

If you’re interested in scheduling a retreat for yourself, please make a booking below. We will confirm your stay (or reach out with any additional questions) within a day or two. If you make a request over the weekend or during holidays, you can expect to hear back from us when we’re next in the office.

Feel free to call (607) 539-3146 or email residency@saltonstall.org at any time if you have questions or if it would be easier to discuss the details of your retreat request over phone or email.

Book your retreat below

Once you click “Book now!” you will be able to see a calendar for each individual room / studio. Dates that are unavailable are shaded in pink.

2023 – 2024 Dates

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – Monday, April 29, 2024

Overnight Rate

$35/night with a two-night minimum stay (check-in after 2:00 pm, check-out by 12:00 pm) Credit cards and PayPal are our two accepted forms of payment.

art studio with new addition seen through large windows
Studio building, upstairs

Visual art studio and adjoining one-bedroom suite, second floor. Studio has tables, easels, chairs and a utility sink. Apartment with private bathroom, bedroom, living space, and easy access to the kitchen in the new addition.

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Studio building, downstairs writer’s suite

Cozy writer's suite, ground floor of the studio building. Apartment with private bathroom, living space, and easy access to the kitchen in the new addition.

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Main house, upstairs writer’s suite

Fully carpeted, vaulted ceilings, large bathtub, this apartment is the only living space on the upper floor of the main house and is next to the kitchen and dining room.

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Main house, downstairs writer’s suite

Writer's suite located downstairs in the main house. Apartment with private bathroom and ample work space with tables, sofa, and coffee table.

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Main house, downstairs writer’s suite (East)

Writing studio and living space that includes a built-in darkroom for b&w photography. A great multipurpose space with ample bulletin boards.

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Studio building, accessible suite and studio – for artists or writers

Our new accessible space including a one-bedroom suite, accessible bathroom, studio, and shared accessible kitchen.

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