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The Lincoln City Fellowship artist residencies are designed to nurture curiosity, focus, and creative growth. Through a blend of virtual sessions and in-person retreats, artists receive time, space, and support to explore new ideas, refine their work, and reconnect with what inspires them.

Upcoming Residency & Retreat

julian, CA | august - october 2026

The Lincoln City Fellowship Julian Residency & Retreat offers artists a spacious, self-directed environment within the quiet mountain landscape of Julian, California. Designed for artists craving uninterrupted time to make, wander, rest, and reconnect with their craft, the retreat emphasizes autonomy and organically unfolding community connection. Artists are invited to follow their own rhythms while sharing space alongside a cohort of peers.

The residency unfolds in two parts: eight weeks of virtual connection followed by a week of immersive, lightly facilitated retreat in Julian:

Part I — Virtual Preparation (August–October 2026)

In the eight weeks leading up to the retreat, the cohort meets for weekly one-hour virtual sessions designed to help artists become familiar with one another before gathering together in Julian. These conversations offer space to share what inspires you, what you’re exploring in your creative life, and what you hope to follow during the residency.

Part II — In-Person Retreat (October 18-24, 2026)

Once in Julian, artists settle into private accommodations surrounded by mountains, apple orchards, and the quiet expanse of the historic mining town. Days are intentionally self-directed, giving you the freedom to devote long stretches to your creative work, wander into town, hike in the surrounding wilderness or connect with your fellow artists. 

Evenings bring the group together for shared dinners and fireside conversations.

This retreat is hosted at Orchard Hill boutique lodge and includes:

  • private accommodations

  • daily continental breakfasts and dinners

  • optional creative experiences

  • a $1500 stipend to support travel, incidentals, and participation in the program

Curation

The curation process is conducted by a trusted committee of creative advisors who use the Speranza Foundation’s Qualities of a Lincoln City Fellow as guiding principles. Artists are selected not only for their individual interest in participating, but also for their potential to contribute to and benefit from the dynamic of the group, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for all.

This artist cohort is limited to 20 artists.

Applications are closed.

 

Past Residencies (2026)

  • New York, NY | January–March 2026

    The Lincoln City Fellowship NYC Residency is designed for artists seeking input and momentum in the development phase of a specific creative project within an urban, culturally rich environment - offering time, space, and peer support to deepen ideas, refine process, and engage in meaningful exchange.

    The retreat unfolds in two parts, with each artist receiving two dedicated development sessions: one virtual session to prepare and shape their inquiry, and one in-person session in NYC for full cohort engagement and deeper exploration:

    Part I — Virtual Preparation (January - March)

    Across eight weekly one-hour virtual sessions, the cohort builds connection, establishes shared groundwork, and begins early project conversation. During this phase, each artist has a dedicated virtual development session to share their project-in-progress, receive initial reflection, and clarify the questions they want to carry into the NYC gathering.

    Part II — In-Person Development (March 17-22, NYC)

    In NYC, each artist receives a second, more extensive development session with the full cohort - inviting in-depth reflection, tailored feedback, and generative dialogue around their evolving project. This urban retreat also includes invigorating arts encounters and spacious, unstructured time to explore the city’s cultural offerings and your own creative impulses.

    The residency includes:

    • five nights of private accommodations the Freehand New York

    • select meals and shows

    • a $1500 stipend to support travel, incidentals, and participation in the program.

    Curation

    The curation process is conducted by a trusted committee of creative advisors who use the Speranza Foundation’s Qualities of a Lincoln City Fellow as guiding principles. Artists are selected not only for their individual interest in participating, but also for their potential to contribute to and benefit from the dynamic of the group, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment for all.

    Due to the strategic nature of this residency, this artist cohort is limited to 8 artists.

    Applications

    Applications for new and returning artists closed January 2, 2026.

  • Santa Fe, NM | March - May 2026

    The Lincoln City Fellowship Santa Fe Residency is designed for artists craving pause, reflection, play, rest, and deep connection with nature in a rustic high-desert landscape.

    The experience unfolds in two parts, beginning with virtual connection and culminating in a week of immersive creative renewal in Santa Fe:

    Part I — Virtual Preparation (March–May 2026)

    In the six weeks leading up to the retreat, the cohort meets for weekly one-hour virtual sessions that build connection, establish shared intention, and lay the groundwork for a meaningful, well-aligned gathering.

    Part II — In-Person Retreat (May 4–9, 2026)

    Once in Santa Fe, each day opens with My Scripted Story™— a story-sharing immersion into imagination, empathy, and human character that awakens creativity and deepens collective insight.

    Afternoons unfold into workshops with local artists, guides, and horses, offering creative exploration and practice in many forms.

    Time in between sessions invites hiking the land, soaking in the cedar hot tub, savoring nourishing communal meals, and settling into an unhurried quiet.

    The retreat is hosted at Rancho Gallina with experience curation in collaboration with the Nomadic School of Wonder. The Speranza Foundation holds the overall structure and care of the program, while the depth and meaning of the experience emerge through the presence and participation of the cohort itself.

    The residency includes:

    • private accommodations

    • all meals

    • facilitated creative workshops

    • a $1500 stipend to support travel, incidentals, and participation in the program

    Curation

    The curation process is conducted by a trusted committee of creative advisors who use the Speranza Foundation’s Qualities of a Lincoln City Fellow as guiding principles. Artists are selected not only for their interest in participating, but for their capacity to engage with others, contribute to a collective experience, and hold space for a small, intentional group.

    Due to the intimate nature of this retreat, this artist cohort is limited to 6 artists.

    Applications

    Applications for new and returning artists closed March 1, 2026.