Writing Change:
Climate Resiliency Residency for Young Writers
Writing Change provides a place for young writers to explore the intersections of climate, creativity, and self in a land-based community setting. Our goal is for participating writers to emerge from the residency feeling restored, empowered, and inspired to advance their writing careers and practices in the face of a changing climate.
At Wintergreen Studios we are acutely aware that the next generation of young artists requires the creative space to process and transform feelings of climate related anxiety into the foundations for future action and change. With a focus on hope, wellness, inspiration, connection to nature, and the ritualization of the everyday, this residency aims to support and motivate young writers to recognize the resilience both in themselves and in the world around them . . . by writing change.
About the residency
This short-term residency (4 days, 3 nights) coincides with our seasonal Land Art BioBlitz (LABB) offerings, when educators and experts converge at Wintergreen Studios to facilitate a range of land-based learning opportunities for students, community groups, and the general public. It’s during this unique time that we invite young writers to our site to enjoy private writing space as well as joining a remarkable group of climate leaders and changemakers for communal meals, conversation around the campfire, and participation in select workshops and events.
Wintergreen Studios is pleased to be able to welcome two young writers for each residency period. Nourished by the healing landscape and community at Wintergreen Studios, young writers are provided with free accommodation at one of our cabin studios along with delicious and nourishing food from Wintergreen’s gourmet kitchen. Inspiring programs, environments, and people round out the experience.
RESIDENCY DATES FOR 2024
May 23 – 26 June 21 – 24 September 21 – 24
APPLICATION DEADLINE MARCH 4
Are you excited by this program? And able to help with the funding of this new initiative? If so, we invite you to . . .
Support a Young Writer
Do I qualify? How do I apply?
Writing Change is open to emerging writers, aged 19-29, interested in a short-term, fully supported writing residency at Wintergreen Studios, a wilderness retreat centre in South Frontenac Township, ON, under an hour from Kingston.
Interested applicants are asked to fill out an application form by March 4 that includes a proposal for residency focus, writing sample, and CV/resume. Previous publications are not required. Those candidates who reach the interview stage will be expected to provide two references.
Participants will have access to a writing mentor leading up to and during their residency and are automatically pre-registered for any public Wintergreen Studios writing workshops offered directly pre- or post-residency.