ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM - FAQ
Please refer to this list of frequently asked questions prior to contacting us.
If you still have questions, call 845.679.2079 or email [email protected].
Q: I do not have any JPEGs of my work, will you accept slides?
No, we have moved to an online application form so you will need to submit work samples
in a digital format.
Q: I need help with my online application, who should I contact?
Please contact [email protected] for questions pertaining to the application questions.
If you have technical issues, please contact Submittable via their online support page.
Q: I have my two references. Do I need to get letters of recommendation from them?
No, letters of recommendation are not required, but you may submit one if you’d like!
Q: I’m interested in the Cottage residency program; what is the best cottage for my practice?
For clean & contained practices:
Angelus, Echo, Fleur De Lis, Varenka, Yggdrasill, Chipmunk, Evening Star, and Morning Star
For a variety of disciplines:
Farmhouse, Quartette, Serenata, The Forge, Skylights East, Skylights West, and Sunrise
Q: What does the communal residency fee cover?
The communal residency fee covers housing accommodations at Villetta, Eastover, or Barzin
and use of a studio space for the residency period as well as related program offerings.
Different fees apply for independent cottage residencies.
Q: Are meals included?
No, meals are not included. Residents must provide their own food, prepare their own meals,
and clean up afterwards. Group meals and clean-up are common among residents!
Communal residents will have a complimentary dinner on arrival day and a light breakfast the
following morning.
Q: I’ve already paid my residency fee, but now I need to change my plans. Is my fee refundable?
No, the residency fee is non-refundable. In the case of a cancellation, we will consider a refund
of the residency fee ONLY if the space can be filled with another resident.
Q: Do I need to bring a car?
While it is not required to have a vehicle for the communal program, it is helpful to have one.
For communal residents without cars, Byrdcliffe will coordinate trips to town for food and other
supplies. For other trips, residents will need to make arrangements with a taxi service, fellow
artists, or enjoy the walk into town.
For cottage residencies, artists are required to have a vehicle during their stay.
Q: I have a small well-behaved dog; can my pet come too?
No, pets are not permitted, except for ADA certified service animals only.
ADA definition of service animal can be found here.
Q: I have a well behaved child; can my child come too?
No, we are currently unable to accommodate children at this time.
Q: Can I bring my spouse/partner?
The communal program is designed to accommodate an individual.
To include your spouse/partner or other collaborators for a cottage residency, they should
complete an application when you do yours. Please note in your applications if you are
collaborators.
If they are not artists, or for other reasons have not gone through the application process, they
can come for a day as a visitor and must register in advance. For further clarification, email
[email protected]. If you are participating in the communal program, we are currently
unable to accommodate overnight visitors, but you can have them visit for the day.
Q: I am a smoker. Can I smoke at Byrdcliffe?
Smoking of any kind, including vaping, is not permitted inside the buildings at Byrdcliffe.
However, you may smoke outside, 50 feet away from any building. Due to the historic nature of
the buildings, no flames of any kind (candles, etc.) are permitted in the buildings.
Q: Do you get cell reception at Byrdcliffe?
Yes, but depending on your carrier, there may be areas at Byrdcliffe that do not get a signal.
Q: Do you have a darkroom or other photography facilities?
Byrdcliffe has a very basic darkroom in Villetta, but no digital facilities.
The Center for Photography at Woodstock in Kingston has a darkroom and a digital
photography workroom. Can contact them directly to make arrangements.
Q: Do you have a studio for printmakers?
No. The Woodstock School of Art has printmaking facilities as well as The Women’s Studio
Workshop (in Rosendale, NY). Please contact them for rates and info.
Q: Does Byrdcliffe provide art supplies?
No, residents must bring their own art supplies.
Q: Do you have a computer and printer for residents to use?
No, Byrdcliffe does not supply computers or printers for residents’ use.
Q: Do you have an internet connection?
Yes, there is WiFi at Byrdcliffe’s residential/communal buildings, as well as at the Barn (ceramics
studio). Cottage residents pay for their own utilities and WiFi.
Q: I am concerned about ticks and wildlife in the area. How do I prepare for my stay?
Ticks (and other wildlife) are prevalent in the Hudson Valley. We recommend you take
precautions and check yourself for ticks regularly. Tuck your pants into socks, wear long
sleeves, and use a tick repellent spray. Contact the Ulster County Health Department for more
info and helpful hints: 845.340.3150. Bears, raccoons, deer, mice, and other wildlife are also
prevalent in the Hudson Valley region. It’s best to observe animals; do not encourage them by
feeding them or leaving food scraps. The New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation has an informative website about living amongst black bears.
Q: How do I GET to Byrdcliffe?
Trailways Bus 800.858.8555, stops in Woodstock. The bus stop is about 1.5 miles from the
Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, and across the street from Byrdcliffe’s administrative offices and
Kleinert/James Center for the Arts. Ulster County Area Transit also has a local bus to
Woodstock; call UCAT at 845.340.3333 for more info and schedules.
If you are arriving on Amtrak, it’s best to go to Rhinecliff, NY (RHI). If you are taking Metro
North from NYC, you can get off at Poughkeepsie, NY. Ulster County Area Transit has a bus
(Ulster-Poughkeepsie Link) that goes from the Poughkeepsie Train Station to the Rosendale
Park and Ride. One could take either another UCAT bus to Woodstock, or the Trailways Bus. Call
UCAT 845.340.3333 for more info and schedules, or call Trailways, 800.858.8555.
If flying, Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, NY and Albany International Airport
(ALB) are the nearest airports, but direct flights to these airports are scarce. John F. Kennedy
(JKF) in NYC; LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens/NYC; and Newark (EWR) in Newark, NJ offer more
direct flights, but require additional transportation to get to Woodstock. Please check with your
flight carriers.
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Byrdcliffe.
Q: If I arrive by bus, trail, or airplane, can someone pick me up?
Byrdcliffe does not provide shuttle service or transportation. There are local transportation
services such as Woodstock and Kingston taxis.
Q: When I arrive on my first day, where do I check in?
Communal residents, please come to Villetta at 3 Upper Byrdcliffe Way, Woodstock, NY.
DO NOT go to 34 Tinker Street. That is the address of our administrative office, about two miles
away from where you want to go.
Cottage residents will either report to the Administrative Offices at 34 Tinker Street,
Woodstock, NY to pick up keys and finalize any outstanding paperwork or will be met at the
designated cottage of residency. Arrangement will be confirmed prior to your arrival.
Q: Where do I get groceries?
There are a few places to shop in the Woodstock area, such as Sunfrost, Cub Market,
Sunflower, and Woodstock Meats. There are supermarkets in neighboring West Hurley,
Saugerties, Town of Ulster, and Uptown Kingston. There are also Farmers Markets in
Woodstock, Kingston, and Saugerties during the summer months. UCAT has bus service to West
Hurley, Saugerties, and Kingston.
Q: Do I need to bring my own sheets and towels? What about toiletries?
For the communal program, we provide sheets and towels. Cottage residents must bring their
own. ALL residents must bring their own toiletries.
Q: Is Villetta wheelchair accessible?
Villetta is ADA compliant with access on the first floor.
Q: Are there bicycles at the Byrdcliffe AiR program?
No, we do not offer bicycles for resident use. You are welcome to bring your own, or bikes can
be rented from Overlook Mountain Bikes.
Q: Is there a pool or gym?
There is no pool or gym. There are plenty of places to hike and walk, including the Mount
Guardian trail right on the Byrdcliffe campus and our own tennis court on Whitehead Rd. (Bring
your own equipment!) The local park in Woodstock, Andy Lee Field, has two tennis courts, a
basketball court, two baseball diamonds, plus swings and a field for frisbee. There are yoga
studios (Shakti, and Euphoria) in town. 28 West Gym on Route 28 in West Hurley is about a 10-
minute car ride from the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony. Please note, Byrdcliffe is not associated with
any of the organizations listed; please contact them directly for further information.
Q: Does Byrdcliffe have a COVID policy?
Yes, all participants in the artists-in-residence program at Byrdcliffe MUST provide proof of at
least 1 COVID-19 vaccination and abide by the most up to date Byrdcliffe policies as well as local
and governmental guidelines. Policies are subject to change based upon guidance from
governmental authorities or if new federal and/or state COVID-19 related requirements are
imposed. Non-compliance with these policies may be grounds for dismissal.
Q: I would like to make a donation and/or become a member.
Great! Check out our membership and donation page to do so.
