BIAC supports two artist residency programs on Block Island - Low Season Projects and Sea Breeze Artist and Writer Residency. These residencies both provide artists and writers with dedicated space and time to develop new work, explore creative ideas, and experiment with different approaches. Residents immerse themselves on Block island, away from the pressures of their daily lives, allowing them to focus solely on their art practice and our community.
Low Season Artist Residency
The Block Island Arts Council is proud to support Low Season Artist Projects. Low Season is a unique artist-run residency program that collaborates with local Block Island institutions to encourage community engagement during Block Island’s Low Season. In partnership with the Block Island Arts Council and the Old Town Inn, Low Season provides visiting artists with dedicated time and space to explore the island’s dynamic landscape, ecology, and multi-faceted history, while fostering meaningful connections with the local community. Co-founders Todd Jokl, Jessica Smolinski, and Joseph Smolinski met in grad school and have been visiting Block Island collectively for over 25 years. Low Season operates with many partnerships and collaborators on and off the island and was formed to build community and champion artists.
Sea Breeze Artist Residency
The Block Island Arts Council is proud to also support the Sea Breeze Artist and Writer Residency to provide artists and writers with a welcoming and inspiring environment to focus on their work. This residency is in honor of Mary Newhouse, a fierce defender of the arts and nature conservation on Block Island. She believed that individual creative endeavors are essential to making the world a better place. The ten day residency takes place at The Sea Breeze, one of the loveliest small Inns on Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island. Block Island is a unique community that has a long history in supporting the arts and nature conservation. The residencies are scheduled during the off season, a more peaceful time that encourages contemplation and creative flow. Each resident will have their own guest room with private bath and porch, and the visual artist will also have a light-filled studio space, located on the property. The writer will have a desk in their guestroom, and the option to also work at The Island Free Library. The Sea Breeze provides a hearty, delicious breakfast, delivered to the guestroom each morning, a light lunch, and a bicycle with helmet and lock, perfect for exploring the island. Emerging and established artists and writers are encouraged to apply. The residency is also intended to encourage dialogue within the community. During each session, we organize an event for residents to share their work.
The Block Island Arts Council is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of our community to deliver its mission. When donating please denote how you would like the money allocated.
All donations are tax deductible.