Taft Art in Nature Residency
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there an application fee?
No. It is free for artists to apply.
Is there Wi-Fi in the studios?
Yes. However, Taft Gardens is remote, and the connection can sometimes be spotty.
Is there cell reception at Taft?
Yes. However, it can also be spotty at times. If cell reception is critical, please visit Taft before applying and test your phone at the studios.
Why do I have to visit Taft Gardens before I apply?
We want all applicants to see what they are getting into, look around the property, visit the studios, find an aspect of the garden they are interested in, and make an insightful and thoughtful project proposal based on their experience at Taft.
Why do I have to live in Ventura County or Santa Barbara County?
The Taft Gardens residency is a regional opportunity focusing on environmental arts. Having artists commute from other places, like Los Angeles, is counterproductive to our mission.
We are building our community of creative professionals and aim to support Central Coast Artists with fewer opportunities than those in Los Angeles County.
Do you offer a stipend, housing, transportation, or equipment?
No. None of our Residencies offer these amenities. We consider the offer for a free workspace and garden access the compensation for the artist's time in the Residency. We are a non-profit and have little excess funds available. We hope that the interest in this blossoming art program will drive more contributions to expand our offerings in the future.
What is the most important part of the application?
Your proposal is the most important part of your application. Artists who establish a clear connection between their projects and some specific aspect of the property have the advantage. We look for this because we want Taft and our facilities to be a meaningful source of inspiration and connection for Central Coast Artists, not just a free studio space or a resume line. Artists who need a place to get away but have little intention of engaging with the land are better served at other arts institutions. Therefore, we reserve the space for those who clearly feel drawn to the gardens and can make the case that it would benefit a specific project and their practice to be there. Also, many applicants apply with some sentiment similar to "I love nature." We assume that is a given across the board with every artist. So, we look for something beyond the basics. We hope to see an interesting concept, a unique perspective, or a story we can champion. We will welcome those who wish to work with or depict flora and fauna from the garden in their art, music, writing, ect. But we also encourage applicants to think conceptually and outside the box. Past residents have found inspiration in researching nanoplastics in soil and how pollinator insects live and thrive in the garden. Other residents have worked in the preserve behind the stewarded gardens, with the weather systems surrounding the gardens, and with decaying plant matter in the burn pile.
Why am I required to visit the Gardens before applying?
We require each applicant to visit the property before applying to understand the space and what it offers. Any specifics about what flora, fauna, or parts of Taft inspire you, what you want to research or work with, or how you will conduct your time in residence will be an asset to your application.
Why do you ask for web links as opposed to images?
We want to get a sense of your work as a whole, which often goes beyond a set number of images or short writing samples. We also would prefer you spend the time improving your Instagram or Website rather than formatting work samples in some specific way for our benefit. We hope you take this as an opportunity to present yourself in whatever way truly represents you as an artist, writer, musician, or creative professional. If you prefer to limit what we consider to something specific, please note that in your application.
Does having a formal degree look more favorable to the jury?
No. We welcome applicants from all educational backgrounds and those who are self-taught. We ask for your Educational experience to help us understand who you are.
Do you prioritize any cultural backgrounds?
Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve is an equal-opportunity organization. We expressly encourage applications from black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA), women, parents, elderly, and all historically excluded artists to apply. The jurors will strive to create a mix of artists that highlights and celebrates the diversity of our community.
Why does your 9-month Residency require a visual component?
The 9-month Residency takes place in the Historic Studio, which has large windows. Therefore, the recipient's studio practice will be highly visible. We are looking for an artist or team that will develop something garden goers can see. That can include a writer or composer if there is a visual component like illustration or music video production.
Seeing a creative professional or collaborative team practice and witnessing how their surroundings inspire them is educational and a great asset to the experience of Taft Gardens. Art has the power to tell stories and bring people together. We want to build collaborations with creative thinkers, help develop origin stories around what they make, and give them an outlet to connect with a community at large.
For the 9-month Residency, it is a requirement to "keep regular studio hours for the duration of the Residency." How many days a week, or hours in a day, do I need to be in the Studio?
The 9-month Residency is not a set of rules but an understanding. We want an artist with professionalism who wants to be there to develop a project, meet people, and advance their career. No one will log your hours or hold you to a set schedule. However, we want to tell garden goers when they make reservations or, upon arrival, when the artist is in so they can visit you. If you keep regular hours, that makes it a more manageable and richer experience for everyone involved. It is not a big deal if you miss a day here and there or if your schedule changes mid-way through. But, if you already know that you can only come one day a week, please consider applying when you have more time to commit to your project. Or apply to the 1-month Residency, which requires less of a presence.
How many people will visit me per day? Will I be so inundated that I won't get any work done?
Taft Gardens is open to the public for self-guided tours but maintains a limited capacity of approximately 20 visitors daily. The founder, John Taft, offers special tours in his golf cart, and when he has passengers, he usually brings people by to meet the artist/s. However, not everyone who visits Taft Gardens will visit you. Some days, you will not see anyone. You may also be in the Studio when the Gardens are closed, as long as it is between sunrise and sunset. If you prefer to avoid talking to people, the 9-month Residency may not be an ideal opportunity for you. If you are shy but think you could talk to some people, we encourage you to consider a 1-month Residency. The Protea Studio is less visible than the Historic Art Studio, so these artists will likely receive fewer visitors.
I am a Fine Art artist and a Print Designer (fabric designer, videographer, commercial photographer, etc.). Design is how I make a large portion of my income. If I receive a 9-month residency, do I give Taft 20% of sales of commercial work if that too is inspired by the gardens?
No. Of course, we would like you to focus on your art while in residence, but we also know you have to earn a living, and we understand that might involve work that you do outside of the Residency. We also understand that lines can be fuzzy, and your artistic interests can bleed into your commercial work. That is fine. But again, this Residency is not a set of rules but an understanding. We want an artist with a sense of professionalism who wants to be in residence at Taft Gardens to develop a project in the realm of fine art. We expect you to manage your time to do that and that your final exhibition, performance, presentation, and art sales (where the 20% should come from) will result from your artistic endeavors. We also ask that professional photographers not conduct photoshoots with their paid clients at Taft while in residence. They are welcome to bring their subjects to the gardens, as long as it is for their art, not their commercial work. The artist can request special permission for their commercial projects in advance, and Taft may require a fee. Again, we understand the lines can blur. If you are concerned, please reach out with your questions.
Am I required to donate 20% of sales during a 1 and 9 Month Residency?
Yes. If any art sales occur on the property, we ask that all artists donate 20%.
How long am I accountable for the 20% donation from art sales?
Once your Residency concludes and you leave Taft, you are no longer required to give Taft a cut. The contribution will also be on the honor system. We hope you will care enough about Taft and future residencies to be honest and timely about this donation before your residence ends.
Who is responsible for making my sales?
You or your art dealer will be responsible for conducting sales, receiving the money, and making the final donation. If you do not have an art dealer and would like help with sales at the Fundraiser Exhibition Openings, we can help find a volunteer to fill that role.
Am I required to donate work to Taft if accepted to the 1-month Residency?
No.
I am an artist with gallery representation, and my art dealer will want to be involved in any sales I make. How will this work?
We would love for them to help promote and sell your work and to be involved in the Taft Gardens Art-in-Nature Fundraiser.
If you are a 9-month artist and your art dealer would like to come and represent you during this event, we will make every effort to make special accommodations for them and their support staff to stay at Taft Gardens, in the Pavilion, during the weekend. However, this is not guaranteed.
I am an artist without gallery representation. How will this work?
You will be responsible for self-promotion beyond what Taft puts out and for all your sales.
I am a performance artist, and I do not make sales. Is that ok?
Yes. We hope you will prepare a performance for the Fundraiser, and we may adjust ticket sales to highlight it as a special event.
I want to write, illustrate, or develop a book at or about Taft Gardens. Will I have to give part of the proceeds to Taft in perpetuity?
No. If your book is published, it will become part of our history, so we hope you will have a dedication that includes Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve. We would love to help promote and sell it in our on-site gift store. In that case, we would buy your book wholesale, just like anything else that we sell in the store. If you wish to donate part of your proceeds, the funds will help develop our arts program and continue to fund future residencies.
I am a parent. Can I bring my young kids to either Studio while I work?
Supervised and well-behaved children are welcome. You will need to sign an accident waiver on their behalf. They are also welcome to explore with you but are not allowed to wander the gardens, preserve, creek bed, or anywhere on the property alone under any circumstances. It is best to keep them in or near your Studio while working and provide a low-volume activity to occupy them. If they are loud or disruptive to the guests or act dangerously to themselves or others, we will ask you to take them home.
I applied last time and did not receive a residency. Should I apply again?
Yes. The residency is competitive for Ojai and we always have more suitable applicants than we can accommodate. We receive about 40-60 applications yearly and have 4-6 spots to fill, depending on weather predictions, and funding. Sometimes, artists don't receive a residency simply because there are not enough slots. Without exception, We tell every interested person that you may need to apply multiple times to get a spot.
For the Jury, we invite different local arts professionals to balance the selection process every year. Each member brings a different perspective and expertise to the table, so it can be full a toss up based on who is in the room. We also aim to strike a balance with whatever group of artists we choose. So, in any given year, we would want as many genders, races, mediums, and central coast cities represented as possible.
For all these reasons, if there is a toss-up between two artists, we instruct the Jury to choose the applicant who has submitted the most times, so there is an advantage to keep trying.
If I do not receive the 9-month Residency, can I be considered for the 1-month Residency?
Yes. Please indicate your desire to be considered for a 1-month Residency and as a backup Resident on your application.
If I get a 1-month Residency this year, can I apply for a 9-month Residency next year?
Yes. The 1-month Residency can be a way to dip your toe in at Taft. If you have started something and wish more time, you may re-apply for either Residency.
You did not answer my question. How can I get more information?
Please email us at taftresidency@gmail.com. Also, please understand that we are a staff of very few. We will get back to you as soon as possible.