ACES Wilderness Retreat at Toklat

Overview

The ACES Wilderness Residency at Toklat is a four-week retreat designed to advance the work of individual artists working at the intersection of environmental challenges and artistic expression. Residencies are situated at 9,500 feet in the historic Castle Creek Valley, 12 miles upstream of Aspen, Colorado, nestled amidst thousands of acres of National Forest and Wilderness.

Residency Details

• Length: 1 month
• Location: Catto Center at Toklat, Castle Creek Valley
• Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
• ADA compliant housing and facilities
• Residents must provide and prepare their own food
• Residents responsible for own transportation to/from Toklat
• No pets or companions permitted to stay with resident

Eligibility

Ideal candidates must demonstrate excellence in their field, reflect diverse areas of expertise, cultural identity, or lived experience, and have projects that highlight and inspire solutions to environmental challenges. Willing to engage and share expertise and work with ACES/Toklat community formally or informally. Open to any stage of career.

Award & Support

• Artist Stipend: $2,500 USD
• Travel Stipend: $0 USD
• Residency Fees: $0 USD
• Application Fee: $0 USD

Application Requirements

Applications are open to individuals; collaborative projects must apply and be accepted individually. Residents are expected to dedicate the majority of their time to their project and are encouraged to engage with staff, program participants, and the public to a comfortable degree.

Additional Expectations

• Donate a work of art
• Participate in public programming
• Participate in open studio with fellow residents
• Give artist talk or presentation
• Lead workshop for the public or fellow residents
• Lead a skill share

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: August 15, 2026

How to Apply

• Application link: https://forms.gle/ey2SuBZk3SxwFFY67
• Open application type