Residency FAQ
Activation Residency is an artist residency and creative ecosystem designed to ignite bold ideas and support artists at any stage of their practice. We nurture creative growth through equitable access, artist-centered resources, and a vibrant community committed to imagination, dialogue, and change.
Where are you located?
We are based at our farm in Bethel, New York—the historic 1969 Woodstock hamlet—after years of hosting at the Outlier Inn in Woodridge, New York. We are actively building an integrated regenerative whole-site design that will support long-term residencies.
You can reach Forest Fringe Farm by car or by bus. If you're coming from New York City, the Shortline/Coach USA bus runs from Port Authority to Monticello, with one-way tickets typically costing between $30 and $40. From the Monticello bus station, you can use a rideshare service or arrange a taxi to bring you directly to the farm. If you prefer to drive, please be mindful of the changing speed limits along Route 17B as you approach Bethel.
Once you're on Behr Road, finding the farm is simple. If you turn onto Behr Road from Jim Stephenson Road, our grassy, loose-gravel driveway will be about 1,000 feet ahead on your right. If you’re approaching from 17B, you’ll find the same driveway on your left. Pull into the driveway and veer to the right, taking care to avoid the ditch on the left side. Please park in a single-file line behind any other vehicles already there. If you need any help with parking or guidance when you arrive, we’re happy to assist.
After you’ve parked, the walk to the main farm area and campsite takes about three to five minutes. We can help with unloading your vehicle if needed. Be sure to lock your car and keep your keys easily accessible in case of an emergency.
What can I expect at the farm?
To learn more about the farm’s amenities and features, animal sightings, getting around the property, weather and season expectations, things to do, and safety considerations, visit the farm’s website.
What’s the residency’s mission?
Activation is rooted in collective care; creating conditions where artists can experiment, connect, and feel resourced without the usual gatekeeping and extractive pressure that often surrounds “professionalism.”
When did Activation Residency start?
Activation was founded in 2018 and has evolved through multiple phases; initially as an intimate gathering and residency weekend, then expanding its reach and deepening its political and care-based frameworks over time.
Who is Activation for?
We welcomes artists, makers, thinkers, and cultural workers across disciplines and experience levels.
What kinds of practices fit?
We welcome visual art, performance, writing, music/sound, research, social practice, technology, craft, and hybrid work that defies category.
Is Activation Residency specifically for Black/queer/trans artists?
Activation Residency has deep roots in centering Black, queer, trans, and otherwise marginalized artists however we support all artists at any stage.
What kinds of programs do you offer?
We offer short-term residencies, workshops, and community partnerships. Programs are designed to support creative experimentation and sustainable pathways for artists’ work.
What is the farm-based focus?
Activation Residency offers seasonal programs at Forest Fringe Farm with a focus on the “living and dying arts” related to land and food, body and movement, spirit and breath, and craft and kinship.
What do you actually do during a residency?
Residency life typically balances self-directed creative time with optional shared experiences like communal meals, skill-shares, workshops, conversations, and moments of play, rest, and reflection.
How structured is the schedule?
Structure varies by program. Historically, Activation Residency experimented with fuller schedules (workshops/performances) and then adjusted toward more spacious pacing leaning into rest, presence, and connection.
Do residents have to complete a project?
No. Activation Residency’s ethos has been deprioritizing capitalist ideals that demand constant output, and instead supporting the conditions that let practice deepen through care, access, and community.
Is this a “quiet retreat” or a social experience?
It can be both. Many residents come for deep focus, while others for collaboration and collective energy. Programming often includes opportunities to share meals, exchange skills, and build relationships while also respecting solitude, nervous-system rest, and creative privacy.
Do you offer workshops or facilitated sessions?
Some programs include facilitated workshops or sessions.
Are there public events, open studios, or performances?
Sometimes. We have a history of residents sharing work through performances, workshops, or informal showings, but this is program-dependent and never meant to overshadow care or consent. If a program includes a public component, it will be stated clearly in that program listing.
How long are the residencies?
Length varies by program (from weekend-style intensives to multi-day sessions). Always check the listing for the specific session you’re applying to.
How do I apply?
Applications are typically managed through the residency’s website and/or announcements on Instagram. If you can’t find the active listing, email us and we’ll point you to the current application.
What do you look for in applicants?
We prioritize curiosity, generosity of spirit, commitment to experimentation, and a genuine desire to engage community whether you work in a single discipline or across many. We value artists at all stages, especially those seeking space that is collaborative, care-rooted, and socially aware.
Is there an application fee?
Yes. The application fee is $15. If the cost of the application fee presents a financial hardship, please email info@activationresidency.com to request a fee waiver.
What does it cost to attend? Do you offer scholarships or sliding scale?
Program fees vary by session, but Activation Residency has a well-documented history of building access through community funded pricing models. In early years, fees were capped (not exceeding $250 for a spot), and in 2020 one iteration became free to artists. Current offerings may include sliding scale and/or scholarship support depending on the program’s funding.
Do residents receive stipends?
This varies by program and funding. If a stipend is available, it will be explicitly stated in that program listing.
What’s included (food, housing, workspace)?
Inclusions vary by program and season. Activation Residency has a strong tradition of shared meals and communal gathering; some past iterations centered diet-safe meals and care-based support. Your program listing will clarify what’s included.
Can you accommodate dietary needs?
When meals are provided, we aim to. Share dietary needs during registration so we can plan appropriately.
What is the living situation like?
Expect a rural, land-based environment and shared community norms. All artists camp. If you have access needs around sleeping arrangements, reach out before you apply.
Is the site accessible?
We want artists with access needs to feel welcome, but the farm context can be inherently rugged and variable. Please contact us with your access needs as early as possible so we can discuss what’s possible for a specific program session.
What should I pack?
Once you’re accepted, you’ll receive a program-specific packing list. In general, plan for outdoor movement and weather shifts and pack sturdy shoes/boots, layers, rain gear, a refillable water bottle, a headlamp, and any personal supplies you need to feel grounded (meds, earplugs, sensory supports, etc.).
Can I arrive late or leave early?
Because programs are relational and often cohort-based, full participation is strongly encouraged. If you have constraints, email us in advance; some sessions may be flexible, others may not.
Are pets allowed?
Typically no (except service animals), but policies may vary by program. Please ask in advance rather than assuming.
What are the community agreements?
Activation Residency is committed to safer space practices that support trust and meaningful exchange. Expect guidelines around consent, confidentiality (when requested), shared responsibilities, and accountability. Some historical programming explicitly held space for difficult conversations around race, class, gender, and sexuality in ways that prioritized collective problem-solving.
What’s your stance on documentation, photos, and social media?
Consent first. Some residents want privacy; others want to share widely. We encourage clear communication and will typically ask residents to opt in/out of being photographed or tagged. If a program has an official documentation plan, it will be shared up front.
What about COVID/health & safety?
Health policies vary depending on public conditions and the program design. Current requirements, if any, will be listed per session.
Do I keep the rights to my work?
Yes. You own your work. If we ever request permission to share images/recordings of work made in residence, that will be opt-in and clearly credited.
How is Activation Residency funded?
Activation Residency is a fiscally sponsored arts organization, supported by donations and community investment, and currently raising money to make ecological and infrastructural improvements that strengthen the quality and sustainability of residencies at the farm.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Activation has 501(c)(3) status through New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). If you’re donating, confirm the current fiscal sponsorship language on the donation page or by emailing us.
How do I get in touch?
Email info@activationresidency.com or call (929) 435-9841.