"People who have never been to colonies sometimes don't understand what an amazing experience it is to be told, in the most emphatically non-verbal way possible, that your day's work is simply, purely, and wholly to perfect your art. We artists don't get that message very much, and like everyone, at home we often find ourselves overwhelmed by work and family obligations. The quiet and isolation of a colony are a wonderful boon and balm..."

Millay Colony for the Arts offers one-month residencies to six visual artists, writers and composers each month between the months of April and November. Nurturing the work of artists of all ages, from a range of cultures and communities, and in all stages of their artistic career, the Colony offers comfortable private rooms, private studio spaces and ample time to work in a quiet, pastoral atmosphere.

Unlike other residency programs, we do not emphasize social events or visits from professionals in the field. We believe we can offer artists nothing more precious than the chance to work, and we provide everything an artist needs to organize his or her time for maximum productivity. The Colony does not oblige residents to participate in any events, nor are residents required to share or donate work. In order to keep everyone's work and living space as calm as possible, overnight guests are not allowed.

Our campus is located on the property where the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lived at the height of her literary career, starting in the 1920s. We have 20 acres of meadow and forest in Austerlitz, New York—2 1/2 hours north of New York City—adjacent to the former Millay home and gardens and the exquisite Harvey Mountain State Forest. Our residents have access to trails for hiking and bicycles, meadows for picnics (with wild blueberry, wild thyme and other treats) and creeks and streams for cooling off. In the Winter, residents may choose to go cross-country skiing.

The closest town to us is Chatham, New York—about 8 miles away. Chatham has a number of good restaurants, a movie theater, a bookstore, a cafe, and other shops and amenities. Great Barrington, MA is about 12 miles away and is a big Berkshire town with all the trimmings.

An excellent local chef cooks dinners. We provide food for residents to cook their own day-time meals. Efforts are made to respond to vegetarian and other reasonable dietary requirements. In order to preserve a retreat atmosphere, the dining room is reserved for residents' use only. We have a barbecue for outdoor grilling and get-togethers.

Each resident is given a private room and spacious studio in our Steepletop Barn or Main Building. The Steepletop Barn was built by Millay and her husband from a Sears kit in the 1920s. Since renovated, it now has four bedrooms and four studios with beautiful meadow and mountain views. The Main Building was designed by a team of artists with disabilities to afford universal access to artists with all levels of ability. The building was featured in the July '98 issue of Architectural Record for its sleek look and commitment to access. The Main Building contains two residency suites, studios and all common areas, including the kitchen, dining and living areas, and a laundry room. All are fully accessible to artists with disabilities.

In addition to providing each resident with private rooms and studio spaces, Millay has a darkroom and photography equipment, a Yamaha U1 upright piano, a large collection of art books, a general library, a public kitchen, two lounges, a VCR, public telephones, wireless Internet access, and laundry. We also have a fax machine, a copier, a computer and a printer in the administrative offices which residents may use. We do offer social events in nearby towns for those residents who are interested and we have comfortable common areas, both inside and out. Our spacious grounds have outdoor furniture, a barbecue and wonderful views of the Berkshire Mountains. We also have a Colony car which residents may occasionally borrow for short trips.

The Millay Colony does not provide artists' supplies.

We request that residents bring earphones if they wish to listen to music.

Applications are due each year on October 1 for a month-long residency in the following calendar year. All residents are judged anonymously by a panel of artists in their field.

Acceptance letters go out in February. Information on the 2006 jury process will be posted on this Web site in March.

Applications for 2008 will be available in March.

For more information, please call our Residency Director Calliope Nicholas at 518-392-3103.