Saturday, May 16th, 2026

Class will meet for one session via Zoom on Saturday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone: Los Angeles (PDT): 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM / Chicago (CDT): 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM / New York (EDT): 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM / London (BST): 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Berlin (CEST): 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. 

About the Instructor

Instructor Arya Samuelson is a writer, editor, educator, and somatic practitioner-in-training in Western Massachusetts. She is the winner of New Ohio Review's Nonfiction Prize, Lascaux Review's Nonfiction Prize, and CutBank's Montana Prize in Nonfiction awarded by Cheryl Strayed. Her essay, "I Am No Beekeeper" was selected as Notable in Best American Essays 2024. Other essays and stories have been published in Fourth Genre, Bellevue Literary Review, Columbia Journal, Gertrude, and elsewhere. Arya holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College, and her work has received support from Ragdale Foundation, Straw Dog / Edith Wharton, Virginia Creative Colony for the Arts, Vermont Studio Center, and Juniper Summer Writing Institute. Arya teaches and works as a developmental editor and creative coach to help writers unearth the deeper story. She is currently writing a memoir, a novel, and a book of essays.

Who is this class for?

This online writing workshop is for writers of all genres and all levels who want to learn the nuts and bolts of applying to artist residencies. Whether you're preparing your first application or looking to strengthen your approach, this seminar will give you the practical tools and insider knowledge to pursue the time and space your writing deserves.

What to expect:

Dreaming of uninterrupted writing time in a cabin in the woods, a villa in Italy, or in your favorite city? Artist residencies offer writers what Virginia Woolf knew we needed: dedicated time, space, and freedom to dive deep into our work, along with the gift of artistic community. In this 3-hour online writing class, we'll explore the transformative world of artist residencies and how to open these doors for yourself.

You'll learn what residencies are and why they can be pivotal for your creative practice, how to choose programs that resonate with your vision, and what makes an application truly shine. We'll discuss crafting compelling work samples, project plans, and artist statements that capture the essence of what you want to create. Whether you're applying for the first time or seeking fresh perspective, you'll leave this creative writing workshop inspired and ready to take the next step.

Arya will share her own experiences attending 7+ artist residencies — the key differences between them, her learnings, and how you might choose the type of residency that will suit you and your process best. She will walk you through the key elements of the application — the artist statement, project plan, and work sample — and offer specific, concrete suggestions for how to create the strongest application. While the class will mostly be informational, there will also be time dedicated to drafting. Drawing on her own residency experiences, Arya will share what it's really like to have that room of your own and how to make the most of it. We'll end with a Q&A to address your specific questions.

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the artist residency landscape and the tools to pursue opportunities with confidence. The class will be primarily informational and resource-sharing, but there will also be dedicated time for reflecting on your personal priorities around finding the right opportunity and to draft (or refine) new artist statements and project work plans.

COURSE OUTLINE

This is a one-session seminar. The 3-hour workshop will cover:

• Overview of artist residencies — what they are, why they matter, and the different types available to writers
• How to find and choose residency programs that align with your creative vision and needs
• Key elements of the application: the artist statement, project plan, and work sample
• Specific, concrete strategies for crafting the strongest possible application
• Guided drafting time for artist statements and project work plans
• Arya's personal insights from attending 7+ residencies — what it's really like and how to make the most of your time
• Q&A to address individual questions

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• A deeper understanding of artist residencies — the what, why, and how
• Practical advice, resources, and suggestions for how to find artist residency opportunities and submit your strongest application
• Drafts of new artist statements and project plans, as well as specific questions and prompts to help you strengthen your materials beyond class
• A supportive community of fellow writers motivated to take the leap

TESTIMONIALS:

“Of all of my teachers in my adult life, Arya’s classes have been the most life changing. I am endlessly thank-ful for her kind, grounded presence in my life as a mentor and an inspiration for my writing and professional life. Her workshops created such a precious space for true creativity, vulnerability, and deeper realizations about the truth behind the art we create.” — Julia P.

“Thank you for creating this opportunity where frequent writers and never-before writers and everyone in be-tween can feel at home.” — Jenn B.

"Arya's class doesn't just help you probe the edges of your writing. It explores the core of you as a person. Her feedback is kind, insightful, and includes actual action items. The community she cultivated was warm and encouraging. I left feeling connected to a group of total strangers as well as myself in ways that floored me. I genuinely shed a tear when the class ended because it was such a fantastic experience." — Charlotte L.

“Arya is a humorous, articulate, experienced writer and excellent creative guide. She listens deeply, acts com-passionately, and brings her considerable knowledge to the table with every workshop participant, writers both experienced and fresh” —Emily S.

“Taking Arya’s course was a brilliant exercise in building trust, community, and bravery when exploring the stories our bodies want to tell. As someone who has never taken a writing course before, I felt comfortable sharing with others because of the receptive community Arya facilitated” —Bethanie M.

“Arya is a magician; she pulled out themes that I’d consciously been writing about for years, others I was blind to. Quite frankly, I was awed by her insights. Through working with Arya as a developmental editor, my book has taken on new, profound meaning.” – Heidi L.

“Arya’s courses are like none I've ever taken. I always leave encouraged, inspired, and having learned some-thing lifechanging.” – Vanessa C.