UCROSS FAQS
Thank you for your interest in Ucross. Please find below answers to frequently asked questions about the Ucross residency program and application process.
RESIDENCY PROGRAM FAQS
Questions frequently asked by accepted or prospective Ucross Fellows
IS UCROSS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? MAY I BRING MY PARTNER OR CHILD?
The residency program at Ucross exists solely for working artists who have been accepted through the selection process or through our partnerships. To help sustain the sense of community of time and space among artists-in-residence, neither guests nor family members can be accommodated for meals, open studios, or overnight stays. There are no exceptions. The Residency Associate will gladly recommend hotels in the area if you expect visitors or if your arrival and/or departure involve traveling companions.
Artists who wish to spend time with friends and family are asked to meet with their guests off campus or in the public areas of our campus. The Ucross Art Gallery and Cafe, The Park at Ucross with its interdenominational Chapel, and the historic Big Red Ranch House are all open to the general public with free admission.
MAY I BRING MY PET TO UCROSS?
No, to support the well-being of all artists-in-residence, pets are not allowed; they may be left in the care of others or boarded at local pet-boarding facilities in Buffalo or Sheridan.
IS UCROSS ACCESSIBLE?
Ucross has several studios that are accessible without stairs or inclines. There are also several studios that have minimal stairs (2-3 steps only) located close to the School House's main common area, kitchen, and dining room. The School House dining room is accessible two ways: 1) minimal stairs (three steps leading to the dining room with a railing) or 2) a gradual ramp with a railing.
DO ACCEPTED RESIDENTS RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION?
Yes, accepted artists receive a $1,500 stipend check at the required orientation during the second day of their residency.
DOES UCROSS HAVE A VACCINATION POLICY?
Ucross remains vigilant in monitoring COVID statistics and are prepared to promptly update risk-reduction measures in accord with CDC guidance. If COVID were to show signs of resurgence, new protocols will be emailed to artists prior to residency.
All artists and staff are strongly encouraged to stay current with CDC-recommended vaccines and boosters to minimize risks associated with COVID, Influenza and similar viral illnesses.
DOES UCROSS HAVE A VEHICLE FOR RESIDENT USE?
No, Fellows are able to travel throughout the residency grounds on foot or on bike. Ucross has walking trails between buildings. There are also bikes available for use, as well as helmets in various sizes, reflective vests, bike lights, headlamps and flashlights. We offer weekly town trips, so artists may explore the area, shop, etc.
If you wish to rent a vehicle, this information is provided in the link to our artist portal in your acceptance email.
WHAT IS THE SETTING LIKE AT UCROSS? WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Ucross provides each Fellow with living accommodations, meals, private work space, and uninterrupted time to focus on the creative process. Lunches and dinners are prepared Monday through Friday by a professional chef, with ample provisions on hand for breakfasts and weekends. Lunches are delivered to individual studios; group dinners take place in the School House dining room at 6 p.m. Towels and all linens are provided, as is weekly housekeeping for bedrooms. There is cell phone service and wireless internet throughout residency facilities. Residents are responsible for providing their own working materials and for their travel to Sheridan, Wyoming.
WHAT ARE THE STUDIOS AND FACILITIES LIKE?
Please view all facilities here.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR/PACK?
Please reference the artist portal in your acceptance email for a seasonal lists with packing suggestions.
APPLICATION FAQS
Questions frequently asked by applicants throughout the process
HOW DO I APPLY?
All applicants must complete an application on Submittable, our application platform.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A RESIDENCY?
Ucross has grown into a vital and relevant resource for artists of all backgrounds and disciplines, who come to Ucross from all over the United States and the world. The residency program is open to visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, dancers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams. Applicants must exhibit professional standing in their field; both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
DOES UCROSS ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS?
Yes.
DOES UCROSS ALLOW COLLABORATORS TO APPLY?
Yes, Ucross is currently accepting collaborative groups of up to four people.
MAY I APPLY WITH MY SPOUSE OR PARTNER?
You may apply with your spouse or partner as a collaborative group, or you each may apply separately for the same time period. Ucross cannot confirm that both candidates be accepted for the same time period, if applications are separate.
MY WORK FALLS INTO MORE THAN ONE DISCIPLINE. MAY I APPLY MORE THAN ONCE?
An applicant is only able to submit one application per session. If you are applying under the Interdisciplinary category, your project must contain multiple disciplines (for example, visual/writing, dance/visual, music/writing, etc.) and will be disqualified from the review process if solely a single discipline. An applicant's work sample and project proposal are the most significant features of their application. If you are an artist working in two unrelated disciplines — not across disciplines — Ucross asks applicants to consider which work is the strongest and where the need for development is highest and apply in that category.
WHAT ARE THE WORK SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING TO UCROSS?
Detailed work sample requirements for each discipline are found here, as well as on our website and Submittable application platform. Please refer to directions in Submittable for media requirements for acceptable digital formats. Ucross does not accept mailed application materials.
I AM HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH MY APPLICATION IN SUBMITTABLE. WHAT DO I DO?
Contact Submittable directly. Submittable has excellent customer service and can help applicants with specific questions/issues with their applications; we always direct all applicants to contact the Submittable experts with questions about their platform. Please visit the webpage for general questions here or contact technical support here.
IS UCROSS OPEN TO ARTISTS YEAR-ROUND?
Ucross has two established sessions: Spring (February through June) and Fall (August through December). We are not in our standard residency session in June, July, and January, though our public locations are open.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION DEADLINES AND RESIDENCY SEASONS?
The Spring Session runs from the first Monday in February to the first Friday in December. The open call for Spring runs from May 1 to July 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT.
The Fall Session runs from the first Monday in August to the first Friday in July. The open call for Fall runs from November 1 to January 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT.
HOW LONG ARE THE RESIDENCIES AT UCROSS?
Residencies are two, four, or six weeks in length.
HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE ON SITE AT ONE TIME?
Each year, we provide residencies to approximately 115 individuals; we accommodate up to 10 artists-in-residence at one time.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS?
There is a $40 nonrefundable application fee to apply. Ucross does not waive application fees. Accepted residents are asked to pay a $50 refundable deposit. If the deposit is not used during the resident’s session, a check will be issued at the end of the attended session. There is no other associated cost; accepted artists receive a $1,500 stipend check.
DOES UCROSS WAIVE APPLICATION FEES?
Ucross does not waive application fees.
I WAS NOT ACCEPTED FOR A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS. DO YOU PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON APPLICATIONS?
No, due to the high volume of applications, our staff and jurors are not able to accommodate this request.
I AM ON THE ALTERNATE LIST. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS? SHOULD I APPLY AGAIN FOR ANOTHER SESSION?
Our mission at Ucross is to support our artists. If a residency space suddenly becomes available, Ucross immediately will reach out to the next candidate on the waiting list via email or phone to check availability. A residency for that session is not guaranteed. Since last-minute cancellations are hard to gauge, Ucross recommends applying for a second session, if it works for the applicant’s schedule. For this same reason, we do not provide the precise alternate placement.
HOW OFTEN AM I ALLOWED TO APPLY?
Applicants may apply every session if they have not attended a residency. If you have attended a residency at Ucross, you must wait three years from the first day of your session to apply again.
WHO REVIEWS UCROSS APPLICATIONS?
An independent jury (established artists, critics, and arts leaders) reviews applications and selects each session's artists. Panel members rotate on a two-year cycle with staggered terms for each juror. We greatly appreciate the thoughtful work of this group, who collectively spend hundreds of hours reviewing the high volume of applications individually, then meet in-person for an intensive cross-disciplinary review process.
WHEN WILL I HEAR ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
To allow for the review period, we will contact all applicants on their status within four to five months of the open call deadline.
RESIDENCY PROGRAM FAQS
Questions frequently asked by accepted or prospective Ucross Fellows
IS UCROSS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? MAY I BRING MY PARTNER OR CHILD?
The residency program at Ucross exists solely for working artists who have been accepted through the selection process or through our partnerships. To help sustain the sense of community of time and space among artists-in-residence, neither guests nor family members can be accommodated for meals, open studios, or overnight stays. There are no exceptions. The Residency Associate will gladly recommend hotels in the area if you expect visitors or if your arrival and/or departure involve traveling companions.
Artists who wish to spend time with friends and family are asked to meet with their guests off campus or in the public areas of our campus. The Ucross Art Gallery and Cafe, The Park at Ucross with its interdenominational Chapel, and the historic Big Red Ranch House are all open to the general public with free admission.
MAY I BRING MY PET TO UCROSS?
No, to support the well-being of all artists-in-residence, pets are not allowed; they may be left in the care of others or boarded at local pet-boarding facilities in Buffalo or Sheridan.
IS UCROSS ACCESSIBLE?
Ucross has several studios that are accessible without stairs or inclines. There are also several studios that have minimal stairs (2-3 steps only) located close to the School House's main common area, kitchen, and dining room. The School House dining room is accessible two ways: 1) minimal stairs (three steps leading to the dining room with a railing) or 2) a gradual ramp with a railing.
DO ACCEPTED RESIDENTS RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION?
Yes, accepted artists receive a $1,500 stipend check at the required orientation during the second day of their residency.
DOES UCROSS HAVE A VACCINATION POLICY?
Ucross remains vigilant in monitoring COVID statistics and are prepared to promptly update risk-reduction measures in accord with CDC guidance. If COVID were to show signs of resurgence, new protocols will be emailed to artists prior to residency.
All artists and staff are strongly encouraged to stay current with CDC-recommended vaccines and boosters to minimize risks associated with COVID, Influenza and similar viral illnesses.
DOES UCROSS HAVE A VEHICLE FOR RESIDENT USE?
No, Fellows are able to travel throughout the residency grounds on foot or on bike. Ucross has walking trails between buildings. There are also bikes available for use, as well as helmets in various sizes, reflective vests, bike lights, headlamps and flashlights. We offer weekly town trips, so artists may explore the area, shop, etc.
If you wish to rent a vehicle, this information is provided in the link to our artist portal in your acceptance email.
WHAT IS THE SETTING LIKE AT UCROSS? WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Ucross provides each Fellow with living accommodations, meals, private work space, and uninterrupted time to focus on the creative process. Lunches and dinners are prepared Monday through Friday by a professional chef, with ample provisions on hand for breakfasts and weekends. Lunches are delivered to individual studios; group dinners take place in the School House dining room at 6 p.m. Towels and all linens are provided, as is weekly housekeeping for bedrooms. There is cell phone service and wireless internet throughout residency facilities. Residents are responsible for providing their own working materials and for their travel to Sheridan, Wyoming.
WHAT ARE THE STUDIOS AND FACILITIES LIKE?
Please view all facilities here.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR/PACK?
Please reference the artist portal in your acceptance email for a seasonal lists with packing suggestions.
APPLICATION FAQS
Questions frequently asked by applicants throughout the process
HOW DO I APPLY?
All applicants must complete an application on Submittable, our application platform.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A RESIDENCY?
Ucross has grown into a vital and relevant resource for artists of all backgrounds and disciplines, who come to Ucross from all over the United States and the world. The residency program is open to visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, dancers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams. Applicants must exhibit professional standing in their field; both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
DOES UCROSS ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS?
Yes.
DOES UCROSS ALLOW COLLABORATORS TO APPLY?
Yes, Ucross is currently accepting collaborative groups of up to four people.
MAY I APPLY WITH MY SPOUSE OR PARTNER?
You may apply with your spouse or partner as a collaborative group, or you each may apply separately for the same time period. Ucross cannot confirm that both candidates be accepted for the same time period, if applications are separate.
MY WORK FALLS INTO MORE THAN ONE DISCIPLINE. MAY I APPLY MORE THAN ONCE?
An applicant is only able to submit one application per session. If you are applying under the Interdisciplinary category, your project must contain multiple disciplines (for example, visual/writing, dance/visual, music/writing, etc.) and will be disqualified from the review process if solely a single discipline. An applicant's work sample and project proposal are the most significant features of their application. If you are an artist working in two unrelated disciplines — not across disciplines — Ucross asks applicants to consider which work is the strongest and where the need for development is highest and apply in that category.
WHAT ARE THE WORK SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING TO UCROSS?
Detailed work sample requirements for each discipline are found here, as well as on our website and Submittable application platform. Please refer to directions in Submittable for media requirements for acceptable digital formats. Ucross does not accept mailed application materials.
I AM HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH MY APPLICATION IN SUBMITTABLE. WHAT DO I DO?
Contact Submittable directly. Submittable has excellent customer service and can help applicants with specific questions/issues with their applications; we always direct all applicants to contact the Submittable experts with questions about their platform. Please visit the webpage for general questions here or contact technical support here.
IS UCROSS OPEN TO ARTISTS YEAR-ROUND?
Ucross has two established sessions: Spring (February through June) and Fall (August through December). We are not in our standard residency session in June, July, and January, though our public locations are open.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION DEADLINES AND RESIDENCY SEASONS?
The Spring Session runs from the first Monday in February to the first Friday in December. The open call for Spring runs from May 1 to July 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT.
The Fall Session runs from the first Monday in August to the first Friday in July. The open call for Fall runs from November 1 to January 15 at 11:59 p.m. MT.
HOW LONG ARE THE RESIDENCIES AT UCROSS?
Residencies are two, four, or six weeks in length.
HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE ON SITE AT ONE TIME?
Each year, we provide residencies to approximately 115 individuals; we accommodate up to 10 artists-in-residence at one time.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS?
There is a $40 nonrefundable application fee to apply. Ucross does not waive application fees. Accepted residents are asked to pay a $50 refundable deposit. If the deposit is not used during the resident’s session, a check will be issued at the end of the attended session. There is no other associated cost; accepted artists receive a $1,500 stipend check.
DOES UCROSS WAIVE APPLICATION FEES?
Ucross does not waive application fees.
I WAS NOT ACCEPTED FOR A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS. DO YOU PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON APPLICATIONS?
No, due to the high volume of applications, our staff and jurors are not able to accommodate this request.
I AM ON THE ALTERNATE LIST. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF A RESIDENCY AT UCROSS? SHOULD I APPLY AGAIN FOR ANOTHER SESSION?
Our mission at Ucross is to support our artists. If a residency space suddenly becomes available, Ucross immediately will reach out to the next candidate on the waiting list via email or phone to check availability. A residency for that session is not guaranteed. Since last-minute cancellations are hard to gauge, Ucross recommends applying for a second session, if it works for the applicant’s schedule. For this same reason, we do not provide the precise alternate placement.
HOW OFTEN AM I ALLOWED TO APPLY?
Applicants may apply every session if they have not attended a residency. If you have attended a residency at Ucross, you must wait three years from the first day of your session to apply again.
WHO REVIEWS UCROSS APPLICATIONS?
An independent jury (established artists, critics, and arts leaders) reviews applications and selects each session's artists. Panel members rotate on a two-year cycle with staggered terms for each juror. We greatly appreciate the thoughtful work of this group, who collectively spend hundreds of hours reviewing the high volume of applications individually, then meet in-person for an intensive cross-disciplinary review process.
WHEN WILL I HEAR ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
To allow for the review period, we will contact all applicants on their status within four to five months of the open call deadline.