MAY 2009 through MAY 2010

The Refuge offers affordable short and long-term living and studio spaces for artists of all disciplines. Each living space includes basic furnishings, a kitchen, bathroom, double bed, and private phone. All facilities are non-smoking. No pets. Visiting artists may come and stay for 1 to 12 months. Applications can be found in the Apply section on our home page.

The deadline for May 2009 – May 2010 is August 15 , 2009. However, artists are encouraged to apply throughout the year as we sometimes have cancellations or do not fill the year by the deadline.

Visit our Facilities page for information about living and studio spaces. Virtually visit the Refuge! Go to our Quicktime virtual visit of the Refuge’s living and work spaces.

Special Residencies

The Refuge has three special residency programs:

• The American Indian Artists Residency (AIAR) is a fully funded month-long program for five Native American artists.  Funding includes: rent and stipends for food, materials and travel expenses.  AIAR applications can be downloaded from this page (see sidebar). Deadline June 15, 2009. Visit the Indian Artists page for information on past American Indian Artists Program activities.


• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Scholarship Program. The Montana Artists Refuge, in connection with a university, offers scholarships only to recent MFA gradulates from participating institutions across the United States. Scholarships are offered and administered by the participating university and they set their own deadlines. Scholarships are paid by the University to the Montana Artists Refuge and cover the artist’s rent and MAR program administration costs.  Artists are responsible for personal living expenses, travel to the Refuge, supplies, long-distance phone charges, and any other expenses relating to the production of work while in residence. Residencies may be scheduled whenever there is an opening at the Refuge and at the convenience of the artist. For more information, contact Debbie Sheehan at 406.225.3500 or e-mail her at mar@ mt.net.


• The October Writers Residency is a month-long, rent-funded residency for writers of all persuasions.  This residency coincides with the Helena Festival of the Book, in which our writers participate by doing readings or marketing their books.  General applications can be submitted for this residency, please see sidebar.  Deadline May 15, 2009. 

Residency Costs

Hewitt Upstairs Apartment and Studio - $1,225
Hewitt Downstairs Apartment and Studio - $1,225
Back Dyott Apartment - $925
Middle Dyott Apartment - $550
Front Dyott Apartment - $625

Other possible configurations:
Hewitt Downstairs Apartment (no studio) - $925
Hewitt Downstairs Studio with Back Dyott Apartment - $1,225
Hewitt Downstairs Studio only - $300
Middle Dyott Apartment with Front Dyott as studio - $1,000

Artists are responsible for their own personal living expenses, supplies, long distance phone charges and any other expenses relating to the cost of production work while in residence, except as noted in the Special Residencies.  Transportation to and from the program and any shipping expenses are the responsibility of the artist. MAR charges $50 for an airport pickup or return; and $10 for trips to the grocery store.  It is highly recommended that you have your own vehicle, especially for stays longer than one month.

Scholarships

To apply for an Art Fueling Art Scholarship, please fill out the scholarship request section of the application form. Please indicate the amount of financial aid needed. The Refuge is unable to consider requests at this time that exceed more than 50% of the residency cost.  If you are requesting a scholarship, please indicate how you will participate in raising money for the Artists Fueling Artists Scholarship Fund.

New Residency Discounts

The following residency discounts are now available at the Refuge.  Please contact Debbie Sheehan at 406.225.3500 or e-mail her at mar@ mt. net. for more details or indicate on your application which discount program you intend to take advantage of. 

Multiple Month Discount.  A residency of 2 or more months receives a discount of rent at the following rates:  2 months – 10% discount, 3 or more months – 20% discount.

Friend Discount.  Come with a friend, wherein you both rent an apartment/studio, each receives a 10% discount on rent.

Send a Friend Discount.  Former Refugees send a friend to the Montana Artists Refuge.  The former refugee must send a letter informing us of the friend who is coming, the friend receives a 10% discount on rent and the former refugee will receive a 10% discount on their next visit to the Refuge.

Multiple Artists/Month Discount.  Two or more artists share a months’ residency in one apartment/studio.  Each artist takes a portion of that month (1-3 weeks) and pays a rate commensurate with the time they take.  In this case the apartment/studio will not be cleaned between artists.  It is recommended that artists bring their own linens.  (Note: the total rent/month is not discounted but each artist pays only a portion of the month.)

Discount Rates
                                                10%                                        20%
$1225                                    (-$120)                                  (-$240)
$925                                       (-$90)                                    (-$180)
$625                                       (-$60)                                    (-$120)
$550                                       (-$55)                                    (-$110)

Residency Requirements: FUELING ART WITH ART

Each artist that comes to MAR is expected to donate something of value to MAR’s Fueling Art with Art Scholarship Fund for incoming artists.  Our expectation is that each artist will transform their time or art form into a $200 - $1,000 contribution to the scholarship fund and, in this way, fuel the work of a future resident.

Donations to the scholarship fund may widely vary.  For example:

1. Participating in house parties or other MAR fundraisers (share your work, a testimony or pitch)
2. Community outreach in the schools or galleries (donate the fee garnered)
3. Performances/shows (donate the ticket sales)
4. Cash gifts (Some artists prefer to leave their deposits. Others may just prefer to donate money.)
5. Leaving a piece of work for MAR to sell/auction at a future fundraising event

If each artist this year donates their time, creativity or artwork to raise money for the scholarship fund, we can assure more accessible rates to artists for the coming year and those artists will, in turn, play a role in ensuring access for the artists that follow them!!!

For those that need support, we will provide past examples, fundraising tips and opportunities.  Just say the word and we will work creatively with you to see that you leave your mark on the Refuge and the work of future artists.

Community Outreach

The Refuge makes every effort to enhance the artistic and creative expression of the community and provide opportunities for interaction with artists.  The Refuge facilitates interactions with local schools and/or helps organize workshops, slideshows, studio openings or performances at the artist’s request.  Artists may also participate in ongoing improvements – gardening, artistic contributions to the Refuge grounds, or to Basin Park.

Want to apply for an Artist Residency? Download a Residency Application Packet (Word) (pdf). If you have questions, please contact Debbie Sheehan at 406.225.3500 or e-mail her at mar@ mt. net.