A winter residency offering artists fertile ground to intuit, research, test, dance, cook, write, forage, film, paint, sculpt, breathe and dig deep into our present moment.
The Greenhouse Residency
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Why Artists Choose the Greenhouse Residency:
"My time in Mendocino was incredibly inspiring, peaceful, and life-giving. In such a short time, our cohort was able to collaborate and dream together in a way that brought so much more intentionality and creativity into my cooking. Each resident I interacted with at the MAC taught me something special about being an artist, a community member, and making magic with our hands. The open-ended nature of the residency allowed us to focus on our individual projects, but also experiment with different mediums and learn from other artists. I will never forget my time as a greenhouse resident, and I recommend this program to any artist looking to embrace an artful life and practice in a beautiful place!"
- Niki Robbins, Watanabe Kitchen
“What drew me to this residency was the open-endedness of it—the generosity built into the call to come as you are. It’s given me the time to consolidate ideas that had been simmering for a while, and bring them together in a way that feels whole.”
- Joella Kiu, Curator Singapore Art Museum
My time in Mendocino — where a month felt like a year now being on the outside of it. “The real world”, is what I’ve been calling the space outside the bubble, but now that I’m here, I can’t think of anything that felt more real than there. A protection exist there that sensitive spirits thrive in, especially when left alone or in the company of other sensitive souls.”
- Grace Brown
“The Greenhouse residency gave me the time I needed to hone a more intuitive artistic process that allowed me to collaborate with nature and the unknown. It has forever expanded my process and left a big impression on me. It was so inspiring to see the processes of other artists, to learn, explore and collaborate together. I would 100% do this residency again.”
- Car Nazzal
The Greenhouse Residency is MAC’s flagship winter residency, designed to nurture experimentation, collaboration, and creative rest. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the redwoods, our rustic campus provides space for artists to listen, to imagine, and to grow.
Project-based, Artist-Led:
Residents are invited to propose a project as their central focus during the residency. Projects may be in any medium—or no medium at all. Rest, reflection, and community can be your project just as much as making.
Time here can be used to advance ongoing work, experiment with new ideas, or spark collaborations with fellow artists and the wider Mendocino community.
On Food and Climate Justice:
The Greenhouse Residency especially welcomes artists whose practices engage with food systems, climate justice, and ecological futures.
These themes are intentionally broad, inviting applications from visual artists, writers, filmmakers, ecologists, activists, chefs, gardeners, foragers, and educators who are seeking time, space, and community.
Self-directed Structure:
The residency is self-directed: how you spend your time is up to you. A community calendar serves as a hub for residents to post workshops, meals, critiques, or informal gatherings. While participation in group activities is optional, we welcome residents who are excited to share in a spirit of mutual learning and exchange.
This residency provides an opportunity to spend time on our beautiful but rustic campus in rural Mendocino, between the ocean and the redwoods.
Shared resources and amenities
Residency participants will be supported with:
Semi-private space within shared studios. While some studios are better outfitted for certain mediums, we strive to accommodate all needs.
Studio space
Residents live in close proximity, with shared kitchens and common spaces to foster connection.
Peer Cohort
At the end of each session, residents are invited (but not required) to share work, research, or reflections with the community.
Open studio
Private apartment
Furnished studio apartments with a queen or double bed, seating area, kitchen, and bathroom.
Food + Gatherings
Scheduled and spontaneous meals, workshops, and community-building opportunities.
Session 1: December 14th, 2026 – January 10th, 2027
Session 2: January 12th – February 15, 2027
Session 3: February 16 – March 14, 2027
Residency Sessions (2026–2027)
The Greenhouse Residency runs in four-week sessions:
Applicants may apply for multiple sessions back-to-back; housing is continuous across session breaks.
*Residents are welcome to leave early for the holidays, or to stay on campus.
Sliding Scale Contributions
To support residency costs, we request a sliding scale contribution of $500–$2500 per resident. A limited number of spots below $2000 will be available depending on fundraising. Please indicate your capacity to contribute in your application.
1. Seed ($500-1000)
For those with limited financial access or impacted by structural inequity.
By selecting this rate, you are receiving support from others in the community who believe in your voice and your work. We’re honored to make this space accessible to you.
2. Sustain ($1000-2000)
This middle tier reflects the true cost of running the residency. Choosing this rate helps sustain the program and ensures we can continue offering sliding scale access.
3. Abundance ($2000-2500)
For those with financial abundance or institutional support.
Paying at this level helps directly subsidizing seed and scholarship recipients, ensuring this residency remains available to a wide and diverse community of writers.
Apply
Applications are now open.
Have any questions?
Feel free to submit a message below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in building community with us.