Djerassi Resident Artists Program – 2027 Residencies

The Djerassi Resident Artists Program offers one-month fully funded residencies on a stunning 583-acre ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California. Over 43 years, the programme has supported more than 2,700 artists, writers, composers, choreographers, filmmakers, and scientists — all at no cost to participants.

Residencies for the 2027 season are open to national and international applicants across six categories: Literature (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, translation, librettos), Visual Arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, mixed media, installation), Music Composition (instrumental, vocal, electronic, multimedia scoring), Choreography (dance and movement-based practices), Media Arts / New Genres (film, video, sound, performance, experimental theatre, interdisciplinary and technology-driven work), and Leonardo@Djerassi (artists and scientists working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, environmental or agricultural science).

Applicants may only apply to one category per cycle. The programme welcomes emerging and mid-career artists for whom the residency could be career-defining, as well as established artists with national or international reputations. Eligibility has recently expanded to include degree-seeking students.

Residents are expected to commit to the full duration of their awarded session — no partial residencies are offered. The programme is designed as a creative retreat, encouraging personal work alongside collegial exchange within a small community of peers.

Work samples should reflect recent practice: up to 5 images for visual artists; MP3/MP4 or streaming links for choreographers, composers, and media artists; up to 10 pages of poetry or 30 pages of prose for writers. Leonardo@Djerassi applicants may submit up to 5 items including research visuals, publications, or hybrid documentation.

Collaborating artists must apply individually. Couples may apply separately and, if both are selected, the programme will endeavour to schedule them concurrently. No guest or family accommodation is available overnight. Personal pets are not permitted.

Alumni must wait five seasons before re-applying. All application materials, including the form, résumé, and support documents, must be submitted in English.

Applications open Tuesday 1 September 2026 and close Friday 9 October 2026. A free application webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 23 September 2026, 11:30am–12:30pm Pacific Time.

The programme is committed to equity and inclusion, welcoming artists and scientists of all backgrounds without discrimination.