Trillium Arts 2027: $700 Stipend for Photographers and Visual Artists, Deadline November 4
Trillium Arts is inviting photographers, visual artists and other individual creative practitioners to apply for its 2027 individual artist residency programme in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The announced deadline is Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The 2027 programme introduces a notable new benefit: a $700 cash honorarium for selected resident artists, alongside a private place to stay and time for focused work. The application itself carries no fee.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old. Trillium welcomes individuals working in photography, visual arts, writing and certain other disciplines at different stages of their careers. International applicants are not excluded, but the organizer explicitly warns that overseas flights and visa arrangements are not funded. The 2027 residency is individual rather than a group or collective programme; collaborators cannot stay on-site as part of the same award.
April or October 2027: one week for your project
Successful residents can attend for seven consecutive nights in April 2027 or October 2027, with proposed dates included in their applications. Trillium supplies a private suite, basic amenities, working space, access to outdoor grounds, internet and a welcome event. The natural setting is especially relevant for photographers exploring environment, landscape, ecology, memory and place, but ecological work is not the only permitted approach.
Funding and potential extra costs
The current 2027 announcement specifies a $700 honorarium and no application fee. Optional mentorship from Trillium founders Phil Reynolds and Heather Hartley is available for a separate $75 fee. This is not described as an unrestricted travel grant: plan separately for flights, visa, local transport, insurance and any equipment rental. Do not confuse the new 2027 stipend-based model with the site's older 2026 residency rates.
Application materials and jury preferences
The application asks for a CV or resume of no more than five pages, a one-page project proposal, a specific explanation of why Trillium would advance the work, one outside recommendation letter and a relevant work sample. Visual artists and photographers may submit a PDF portfolio of up to 15 pages and 10 MB with a brief description for each image. Only one application per artist is permitted, and the panel notes that ecological or nature-based themes may receive modest preference. Notifications are expected by mid-December 2026.
About the residency
Trillium Arts is an artist residency center in Mars Hill, North Carolina, focused on independent creation and retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its programming spans different art forms while offering a supportive environment for research and artistic development. This is a residency award for selected individuals, not an open-entry photography prize or a guaranteed exhibition.
Official application
Trillium Arts: official 2027 residency call and application: https://www.trilliumartsnc.org/artist-residencies
Important: verify the original official information
This report is a summary, adaptation or translation of information published by the external organizer and may be inaccurate or out of date. Before applying or making any payment, ALWAYS consult the organizer's original official website for current eligibility, deadlines, fees, repertoire, rights and rules. In a conflict, the official announcement takes precedence. Information checked October 26, 2026.