Creative Resource Residencies

An invitation to visual artists, musicians, writers, dancers, liturgists, dramatists
and other creative people to celebrate and strengthen Holden’s contribution
to the church and the world.

Holden Village has a history of both attracting creative people and producing creative work for the good of our present in-Village community and the community beyond this valley. Creative work at Holden started with its inception, with visionaries of what this place could be. Arnold Flaten, a recognized sculptor and artist for the “wider church,” was one Holden’s founders. Marty Haugen was younger and less recognized nationally when he wrote Holden Evening Prayer. Since Holden’s beginning, music, theater, visual art, creative writing, dance and liturgical arts have all had an important place in our common life and worship, and these practices have produced creative works that are beneficial to others outside this community.

By providing the time and space for creative residencies at Holden, our hope is to support and encourage present day visionaries both within the Holden community and in the wider church. Support from the Lilly Foundation gave impetus for the launching of this program in 2005.

Holden Village currently offers residencies of about a month for individuals who wish to develop these resources. These residencies are generally not for summer or other peak times. Holden supplies space, time, and a supportive community within which to work. In turn, by working within the Village community, residents offer Holden’s guests and staff insight into the creative process, making their work visible through weekly sessions and other venues. Soliciting feedback and conversation often enriches the artist’s work. This connection between artist and community inspires everyone to witness and participate in the powerful role of the creative arts in the church and the world.

Creative Residents are integrated into community life through participation in dish team, garbology, stoking winter fires, and staff meetings. All Villagers attend daily worship. Residents are also asked to work five hours a week in a work area determined by Village needs.

Family considerations: Intergenerational community is a cherished part of life at Holden. Partners, spouses and family members over 18 may come as volunteers, paying guest, or on a half work/half pay option. Holden’s child rates are charged for those under eighteen. During the school year, a six week minimum stay is required to assimilate school-age children into our small school. Plenty of advance planning is needed, so please let us know if children are part of your equation. For more details, or to explore the growing of a new idea, contact directors@holdenvillage.org, program@holdenvillage.org or talk to Steph Carpenter in the Village.

To apply for a Holden Village Creative Residency, write to:

Good Courage : Holden Reflections

“Oh child, let’s get to work.” By Hayley Dennison

Feb. 10, 2012 – “That’s interesting … That’s really interesting,” I said in response to her, my friend, who was telling me, “I don’t believe in God.” This occurred three weeks ago up on the Goat Trail. For me this situation may have been similar to what my sister-in-law talks about when she tells this [...]

A Place Apart, a Place Eternal – 02/03/2012

I read this week in the Village Voice an invitation to share “Holden Stories.” I’d like to use Matins this morning to tell part of ours. I learned on Monday from the J-term students that Holden’s original name was Holden Village: A Place Apart. When life up this mountain includes power outages due to avalanche [...]

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