Eastman Residency for the Arts and Humanities
About this opportunity
Campus:
University-wide
Contact:
Ed Dallis-Comentale,ord@iu.edu
Ana Velasco,ord@iu.edu
Deadline:
February 3, 2025
Award cycle:
Annual
Funding available:
Residency of one to three weeks, $500 award
The Eastman Residency supports IU faculty in the arts and humanities by providing residencies from one to three weeks on the IU-owned Eastman property on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. All IU faculty with a clearly defined research or creative project based in the arts or humanities that would benefit from time away from campus are encouraged to apply. The residency supports individual faculty projects, small research team projects, and cross-disciplinary team meetings or symposia of a humanistic or artistic nature. The house can accommodate up to six residents at a given time.
Read what recent residents have to say about their experience at the Eastman House.
About Max Eastman and the Eastman House
Max Forrester Eastman (1883-1969) was a prolific American writer and prominent political activist. In the early 20th century, he edited and wrote for a number of radical political magazines. Throughout his long life, he gained international recognition as a poet, memoirist, biographer, and author of books on subjects ranging from humor to the scientific method to Soviet culture. The historic property on Martha’s Vineyard, where Eastman and his family resided, was a vibrant hub for writers, artists, and thinkers throughout the 20th century. IU's Lilly Library acquired the Max Eastman manuscript collection from 1958 to 1986, and it is one of the library’s most frequently consulted holdings.
During this period, IU also developed a relationship with the Eastman family, including Eastman’s widow, Yvette Szekely Eastman. Upon Mrs. Eastman’s death in 2014, IU received the Eastman family’s property on Martha’s Vineyard. IU restored and renovated the house, which is situated at the highest point of the island and enjoys stunning views of Menemsha Pond, Squibnocket Pond, Vineyard Sound, and Nantucket Sound. Outfitted with Eastman’s library, personal effects, and period furniture, the house was gifted to the university for the sole purpose of allowing IU artists and humanists to carry on Eastman’s rich work of critically engaged thought and expression.
Eligibility
All IU tenured and tenure-eligible faculty are eligible to apply. Those employed at IU but not on the tenure track whose evaluation criteria include research or creative activity may submit proposals with an explanation of the importance of research or creative activity to their evaluation in the letter of support from their chair or dean.
The Eastman House program requires a minimum of four residents at all times. Applicants will need to be flexible in their plans and work with the program director to ensure this requirement is satisfied.
Funding
Residencies from one to three weeks; IU Research will provide an award of $500 for all selected residents, but per diems and travel expenses are not included in the residency.
Application requirements
- Completed online application form.
- Project narrative and residency rationale (one-two pages) specifically describing all project deliverables and potential impacts. The project narrative and rationale should explain exactly how the applicant or cohort’s time will be spent during the residency and how the work/project will benefit from the setting and time away from campus.
- Cohort or symposia applications should be submitted by one faculty member from the group, not via individual applications.
- Full project timeline (one page). Timeline should include all research/creative activities related to the project - before, during, and after the residency - as well as all related project deliverables.
- Letter of support from department chair(s).
- CVs for all applicants (including list of previous awards and funding).
- Recipients must present their work to the campus community upon their return and submit a final report within one month of the residency’s end.
- Applicants will be asked to identify three months of preferred travel dates. No residencies will take place between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Please note: The Eastman property is somewhat remote and requires extensive travel by plane, car, and ferry. Applicants should fully explore location details and travel options in order to ascertain suitability.
Terms
Residents may not bring guests, family members, or pets with them.
Check-in time is 4:00 p.m.
Check-out time is 10:00 a.m.
The $500 award will be deposited into awardees' research accounts to assist in covering associated costs.