Chicago Winter Retreats and Residencies 
A place and time to think, create, renew 
 
 Chicago Winter Artist's Retreats and Writer's Residencies 
A place and time to think, create, renew

Residencies & Retreats

  Costs What's included Accommodations House Rules

WRITER' S RESIDENCIES

The Writer's Residency will provide you with concentrated blocks of time for writing without major distractions for 6 days; we encourage writers to visit the city for research if they need to do so or for enjoyment in the evening, but to use this time to focus on their work and to concentrate within this peaceful and quiet environment to be productive.  Salons are held on Friday and Saturday evenings where residency participants and local writers will meet and talk.

 

 

Schedule for 2013 Writer's Residencies:   Will be announced in May 2012

What is included for Writer's Residencies?
  • Individual accommodations with private bath and writing desk
  • Continental breakfast: breads, yogurt, cereal, fruit, coffee/tea, juice
  • Light lunch at the Inn: bread, cheese, deli meat, fruit, coffee/tea
  • 7-day transit pass (good on all CTA buses and trains)
  • Wi-fi access
  • a Tuesday night Pizza get-together with your hosts and other writers
  • a salon with a local guest writer - generally on Saturday evenings

 

ARTIST'S RETREATS

The Artist's Retreats are an invitation for artists of all disciplines to re-discover and be inspired by Chicago. Unfortunately, we cannot provide studio space, but you will be able to visit many of Chicago's museums, galleries and urban treasures; research; be inspired by the cityscape;  share space and ideas with other artists in residence and artists from Chicago to forge lasting relationships.  Salons are held on Friday and Saturday evenings where residency participants and local artists will meet and talk.  A tour to a local artist's studio or workspace can be arranged based on the interests of the participants.

Schedule for 2013 Artist's Retreats:  will be announced in May, 2012

    S4AR12   February 20 - February 26, 2012

 

What is included for Artist's Retreats?
  • Individual accommodations with private bath and writing desk
  • Continental breakfast: breads, yogurt, cereal, fruit, coffee/tea, juice
  • Afternoon tea: tea or hot chocolate and treats
  • 7-day transit pass (good on all CTA buses and trains)
  • Wi-fi access
  • Friday and Saturday night salons
  • One studio tour

Information related to your residency 

The cost for one week

Fellowships are awarded based on portfolio or writing sample reviews are not based on financial need.  Please email a letter of intent with your application. We do not place you into double occupancy rooms with a stranger.  Double occupancy rates are if you bring a spouse, partner or friend with you to share your space, however, we do not recommend this for writers.  You are here so you can work uninterrupted and with few distractions.    Artists are welcome to consider double occupancy as we expect that much of your time will be spent exploring city museums and galleries.

Residence cost Without fellowship:              

$750.00 Single occupancy. $850.00 Double occupancy.

Residence cost With fellowship:                     

$450.00 single occupancy. $550.00 Double occupancy

Where will I be staying?

 

What if I need to cancel?

If cancelled before December 1st you will receive a full refund.  If you need to switch to a different session, please contact us at least 30 days prior to the start of your originally scheduled session and we will try to accommodate you with placement in a different session.  If a residency or retreat is cancelled anytime after December 1st, the $100 application fee is not refunded.  If you cancel less than 4 weeks prior to the start of your residency, you will be responsible for 50% of the fees.  If you cancel 3 weeks prior to the start of your residency, you are responsible for 100% of the fees.  In the event we cancel a session due to lack of sufficient residents you will receive a full refund (including the $100 deposit) or you have the option to switch to a different session still open.

Rules of the House
  • Check-in on Monday is by appointment and preferably before 10 pm.  Make arrangements as soon as you know your arrival time in Chicago.
  • Each participant receives keys to the house and is responsible for this set of keys; a valid credit card is required at check-in to cover the $500 deposit for re-keying the house if keys are lost or stolen.
  • Outside visitors, not registered as part of the initial application or arrival, are not permitted to stay overnight.
  • Participants may come and go as they please; but, MUST be considerate of others residents.
  • In the spirit of creativity, one is expected to respect other's privacy and should not disturb others who are writing/creating.
  • Use of laundry facilities should be limited to posted hours.
  • Food should be consumed in the dining room or kitchen areas only, not in sleeping quarters.
  • In case of spills or other accidents, please notify management as soon as possible.
  • No illegal drugs, smoking or incense burning permitted. Any of these would terminate your residency immediately without refund.
  • If disturbed by any other guest you must notify innkeepers immediately.
  • Check-out is on Sunday before 11 am (no exceptions).  You are welcome to leave your luggage for later pick up that day.
     "For the Winter of 2012, I stayed for a writing residency at Two Urns and the
experience surpassed my expectations... At Two Urns, however, you feel like you've rented the best apartment Chicago can offer,
complete with courtesy breakfast and lunch served in the kitchen, prepared by the hostess herself. 
     Located in the Wicker Park neighborhood, you get to experience a good medium:
staying outside the tourist-heavy downtown, but a safe enough distance from any
high-crime neighborhoods. Like any city, you're gonna hear noise outside, like
honking horns or people yelling, but the walls are so thick the chaos without
is reduced to a muted murmur.
        The hosts, Kapra and Miguel are very welcoming, entertaining me and the other
guests with stories of the neighborhood's Polish past as well as the history of the
building itself. Miguel is an artist, so don't be surprised when you enter the
hallways and find all kinds of artwork decorating the walls.  A week at Two Urns is a week you'll never forget." Karla H.