Taft Art in Nature Residency
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I contact residency staff with questions?
We're happy to clarify or offer support on your application before the deadline on July 15, 2025 at 11:59pm. Please email us directly at taftresidency@gmail.com. As we have a small team, we kindly request that you read the full application and FAQ below thoroughly before contacting us. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Responses after 5pm on July 15th are not guaranteed.
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 also 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 propsal 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 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.
I applied last time and did not receive a residency. Should I apply again?
Yes. The Art in Nature Residency is competitive, and we consistently receive more qualified applications than we can accommodate. Each year, we typically receive 30-60 applications for 4-6 available spots, with the exact number depending on weather predictions, staffing, and funding. This means that even highly suitable applicants may not secure a residency simply due to the limited number of slots.
Our jury comprises different local arts professionals each year, ensuring a balanced selection process. Every jury member brings unique perspectives and expertise, meaning that success of an applicant can sometimes depend on the specific composition of the jury at the time of your application.
We also strive to create a diverse cohort of residents. In any given year, we aim to achieve a balance across various demographics, backgrounds, artistic mediums, and representations from different Central Coast cities.
For these reasons, we highly recommend that you plan to apply more than once. Our policy is that if the acting jury is faced with a choice between two equally qualified candidates, we will always select the applicant who has applied to our program before. This policy underscores our commitment to building meaningful relationships and supporting artists who demonstrate genuine interest and dedication to our Ojai and Central Coast arts community.
If I keep getting rejected, may I request feedback?
You are welcome to request application feedback at anytime by emailing taftresidency@gmail.com. We are a very small staff, so a timely response is not guaranteed. But our desire to support our local Central Coast artists is genuine and we will do our best to offer constructive feedback when possible.
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 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 specific project 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 will 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.
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.
If I get a 9-month Residency this year, can I apply for a 1-month or second 9-month Residency next year?
No. Once you have done a 9-month residency, you no longer qualify for future residencies.
Is there a Research Residency? I see past residents have received that title but I don’t see an application for it.
Occasionally, the jury will grant a Research Residency under special circumstances, on a case-by-case basis. This is an unofficial option designed for projects that don't require a traditional a physical space to create their work. For example, we've offered this to applicants who needed land access but no studio, or whose project simply didn't benefit from a studio environment. It's also a way for us to accommodate an exceptional applicant beyond our physical space capacity on the property.
If a Research Residency sounds like it might be a good fit for your project, please reach out to us at taftresidency@gmail.com before the application deadline with details about your proposal to see if you would qualify. If you have already spoken with a residency staff member, you can clearly state in either application (1 or 9-month) that you "do not require a studio and want to be considered for a Research Residency."
You did not answer my question. How can I get more information?
We're happy to clarify or offer support on your application before the deadline on July 15, 2025 at 11:59pm. Please email us directly at taftresidency@gmail.com. As we have a small team, we kindly request that you read the full application and FAQ above thoroughly before contacting us. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Responses after 5pm on July 15th are not guaranteed.