Eastman Residency for the Arts and Humanities
About this opportunity
Campus:
IU Bloomington
Contact:
Ed Dallis-Comentale,ecomenta@indiana.edu
Kaylie Hash,resgrnt@iu.edu
Deadline:
November 1
Award cycle:
Annual
Funding available:
Residency of two to four weeks, $500 travel stipend
The Eastman Residency supports IU Bloomington faculty in the arts and humanities by providing residencies from two to four weeks on the IU-owned Eastman property on Martha’s Vineyard. Priority will be given to faculty members on sabbatical, but all IU Bloomington faculty with a clearly defined research or creative project that would benefit from time away from campus are encouraged to apply. The residency mainly supports individual projects, but it can be used for exceptionally planned meetings or symposia of a scholarly or artistic nature.
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 Bloomington tenured and tenure-eligible faculty are eligible to apply. Those employed at IU Bloomington 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.
Funding
Residencies from two to four weeks; the IU Bloomington Office of the Provost will provide a travel stipend of $500 for all selected residents, but per diems and other trip expenses are not included in the residency. Applicants are encouraged to apply to CAHI, OVPR, IAS, and other campus units to help cover these expenses.
Application requirements
- Completed online application form
- Project narrative and residency rationale (one-two pages). The project narrative and rationale should explain exactly how the applicant's time will be spent during residence and how the applicant’s work/project will benefit from the setting and time away from campus. It should also outline all project deliverables and potential impacts.
- Project timeline (one page). Proposals should entail research/creative activities that will take place in the 2023 calendar year – spring, summer, and fall 2023.
- Letter of support from department chair
- CV (including list of previous awards and funding)
- At end of residency, recipients must present their work to the campus community upon their return (via programming with the Arts and Humanities Council) and submit a final report within one month of the residency’s end.
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.
Looking for more information about arts and humanities funding opportunities on the Bloomington Campus?
Visit the Arts & Humanities website