The Drawing Never Dies (DND) art residency is a creative retreat embracing the directness and simplicity of drawing as one of the most fundamental acts of visual communication, as well as the importance of an inspiring and conducive environment for creative play.

We provide a small studio in a tree and an efficient private living space called the cabin. The cabin includes a kitchenette; we do not provide regular meals.

DND offers artists a place to step away from their usual surroundings and focus on their creative practice. In addition to the treehouse studio, residents have access to an on-site gallery that can be used to develop and present an exhibition, as a secondary workspace, or simply as a place to think, experiment, meditate, or document work. Because DND is a residential setting, exhibitions are intended to remain informal and intimate rather than function as large public events. There is no formal exhibition requirement tied to the residency, making it a low-risk opportunity to experiment, develop new work, or simply spend time drawing.

Residents may, if they wish, open their studio and share their work with guests during their stay. This might take the form of independently arranged studio visits or an informal open studio, coordinated with DND. DND will announce open studios through our communication channels and welcome members of our extended creative community. These gatherings are intentionally intimate and are meant to encourage conversation, reflection, and close looking within the spirit of the residency.

Each year, DND offers three fully funded, month-long residency opportunities. Applications are reviewed by the DND directors in collaboration with a rotating guest juror, with consideration given to the quality and distinctiveness of the applicant's work, their engagement with drawing, their intentions for the residency, and their fit with DND's environment and aims.

The ideal resident is easygoing, creative, open-minded, genuinely excited about their practice, and curious about experiencing a new place—like a treehouse in Denver, Colorado. We welcome artists, writers, and curators with a wide range of backgrounds, viewpoints, and approaches to drawing.

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.