Dune Shack Residencies

About the Open Call

The historic dune shacks are among the nineteen shacks located within Peaked Hill Bars National Register Historic District of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The shacks are primitive — no electricity or indoor plumbing — and isolated, allowing for uninterrupted solitude and refuge. The Compact maintains and administers these shacks under an agreement with the Seashore. Community residencies are open to all and are selected by lottery. The Compact funds, or partially subsidizes, residencies for three visual artists who are selected by jury and for two writers who are selected by lottery. In 2019 The Provincetown Community Compact designated one of the three Dune Shack Artist Residencies for an emerging artist of color, named for the late David Bethuel Jamieson, an African-American artist who died of AIDS in 1992. In keeping with our mission, The Compact provides fully funded weeks for clients of the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, the Provincetown Schools, and Native Americans. The Compact has initiated a voluntary Honor Tax for dune shack residents to offer financial support for the use of unceded Native American land. The Fowler Dune Shack and C-Scape Dune Shack are described as primitive structures with basic amenities like wood stoves and composting toilets.

What is Offered

The opportunity offers residencies in historic dune shacks, providing solitude and refuge. The top recipient of the Dune Shack Artists residency and The David Bethuel Jamieson Residency include three funded weeks in the C-Scape Dune Shack and a $500 fellowship. Partially subsidized weeks are also available. Residents also gain access to a unique historical and natural environment.

Requirements

Community Residencies are open to all. Native American Residencies are for Native Americans. Artist Residencies require a résumé, artist statement, and up to five images. Writer Residencies require a 1-2 page artist statement or resume and 3-5 pages of writing. The David Bethuel Jamieson Residency is for an emerging artist of color.

How to Apply

Applications for 2025 are open until January 15, 2025. Applicants can apply via specific online forms for Community Residencies, Native American Residencies, Artist Residencies (requiring résumé, artist statement, and up to five images), and Writer Residencies (requiring 1-2 page artist statement or resume and 3-5 pages of writing for records).