McNeely Residency Application Guidelines
McNeely Artist Residency at Sonoma Academy
Overview
The McNeely Artist Residency at Sonoma Academy welcomes both emerging and established artists who are interested in engaging with students and the broader school community through workshops, lectures, and community-based art projects. Residencies may range from one week to one month, depending on the scope of the proposed project.
Please note that this is a studio residency only; housing is not provided. While Sonoma Academy will make every effort to assist artists from outside the Bay Area in identifying local accommodations, residents are ultimately responsible for securing their own housing and transportation.
Location
Sonoma Academy is located in the heart of Northern California's renowned wine country, just one hour north of San Francisco. Situated on a scenic hillside campus in Santa Rosa, the school offers sweeping views of vineyards, oak-studded landscapes, and the surrounding Sonoma County countryside. The region is known for its vibrant arts community, rich cultural history, world-class food and wine, and easy access to the Pacific coast, redwood forests, and numerous parks and open spaces. The residency provides artists with the opportunity to work in a peaceful and inspiring setting while engaging with a creative and intellectually curious community.
Mission
The McNeely Artist Residency supports artists whose creative practice includes education, collaboration, and community engagement. We seek artists who are excited to share their process, foster meaningful connections, and contribute to the cultural life of the Sonoma Academy community. Residency projects may take many forms, reflecting the diversity of contemporary artistic practices.
Residency Requirements
Resident artists are expected to actively engage with Sonoma Academy students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. Community engagement may include:
- Workshops and demonstrations
- Artist talks or lectures
- Collaborative or community-based art projects
- Other educational and participatory experiences
Projects should contribute to the school's ongoing commitment to the arts and leave a meaningful impact on the community.
Working in collaboration with Program Director Hillary Younglove, selected artists will:
- Submit a written proposal outlining their residency project and community engagement plan
- Participate in a preliminary Zoom meeting to discuss the project
- Complete fingerprint clearance and mandated reporter training requirements before working directly with students
Application Guidelines
Applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year.
- Individual artists and artist teams are welcome to apply.
- Please submit links to your website and/or Instagram account. Do not send individual image files.
- Ideal applicants are artists who value education, enjoy collaboration, and are enthusiastic about working within a vibrant school community.
- We are especially interested in artists whose experiences, perspectives, and creative practices contribute to the diversity of voices represented on our campus.
Residency Stipend
Resident artists receive a $6,000 stipend, intended to help offset transportation, lodging, project expenses, and artist fees.
Questions
For questions regarding the residency or application process, please contact:
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
