Post by Andy Giovale, Chicago Dancemakers Forum Communication Intern

“Ragdale is for artists, by artists.” This is a quote from Amy Sinclair, fellow artist and Residency Manager at Ragdale, a non-profit artist community in Lake Forest, IL. Ragdale, located just north of Chicago and accessible by Metra, is one of the largest artist residencies in the US, hosting nearly 250 artists a year. Their reputation has been known to host mainly writers, yet with a new dance studio and plenty of space to explore, dancemakers may find this residency just as generative. “The space is gorgeous. The serenity of the prairie and the houses is just fantastic. It calms my mind in a way that is really productive,” shared 2020 Lab Artist Chris Knowlton when I interviewed him about his experience with Ragdale.

The Sybil Shearer Studio at Ragdale, Courtesy of Kinnari Vora

In interviewing Amy, I learned more about the resources Ragdale offers dancemakers in their 18-25 day long residency. As dancemakers, we are often working with groups of people, spaces, and production limitations, usually creating work in commercial studios or in one’s living room. “We understand that dancers and dancemakers are working in many different ways and organizations of people. So Ragdale hosts residencies for individuals and collaborations,” explains Amy. Similarly, Chris has experienced Ragdale as both an individual artist and a collaborator. Either working individually or in a group, there are resources available to dancemakers through a residency program like the ones at Ragdale.

Chris Knowlton at Ragdale, Courtesy of the Artist

Having ample space and time for the creative process is a real incentive for dancemakers to participate in a residency, yet there are many considerations that go into this decision. Artists consider the balance of other professional or personal obligations, travel and accessibility, and compatible artistic needs. When asked for advice about applying to residencies, Amy stated “I would think about what you might want out of a residency. Defining what your vision for a residency is would be really helpful. Not just for the application process but for yourself.” Chris, expressing a similar sentiment, said “I think the first step when you are applying to residencies is to see if the resources they provide match your needs if you are working on a specific project or for your practice in general.” What do you need now as a dancemaker? If a sprawling prairie, nightly dinner with other artists, and a wood-floor studio with floor-to-ceiling windows are on your list of needs, Ragdale may be an opportunity to consider. Note that the Ragdale residency application closes May 15.

Opening event for the Studio House of Dance and Music/The Sybil Shearer Studio, Courtesy of Ragdale

2022 Lab Artist Kinnari Vora also shared with me her experience at Ragdale and how the residency fit her needs, “I enjoyed the aspect of sharing a meal. At the end of the day we would have dinners. It was very healing for me. Especially after the pandemic when we were so isolated.” Similarly, Amy emphasized the importance of other humans in the residency experience, “Artists come to Ragdale to commune with many other artists.” The presence of other creatives provides not just creative or professional benefits, but also social ones. Ragdale hosts residencies that are 18 to 25 days long, or a 6-day themed residency. Each cohort bonds over this time period. “Everyone belongs. Everyone was respected and treated with the same amount of love. So that definitely empowered me,” shared Kinnari.

Community is an important aspect of Ragdale, yet individual time for artistic incubation is equally valuable. For example, Kinnari designed her recent residency to include both time with her collaborators of Ishti Collective and time working solo, having solitary time alone to think. When considering if a residency is something an artist would want to pursue, the opportunity to get away from one’s everyday routine, to get some alone time, could be an incentive. For Kinnari, the setting of Ragdale is generative for that mode of creating, as one is in a serene setting with close access to the prairie grounds, “Nature is so integral to our being.”

Kinnari Vora at Ragdale, Courtesy of the Artist

As a dancemaker, a real draw is the dance studio itself. “Ragdale designed and built a studio for dancemakers,” stated Amy. The artists I interviewed had only great things to say about the space. Chris confirmed, “The new studio is just incredible. It’s humbling to be in.” Kinnari also pointed to the architecture and beauty of the 2,500 square foot, accessible Studio House of Dance and Music/The Sybil Shearer Studio, saying, “The way the studio is built, there are these floor to wall glass windows. So, it’s almost like the outdoors is brought in. You’re not removed from it.”

Nature is so integral to our being. The way the studio is built, it’s almost like the outdoors is brought in. You’re not removed from it. — Kinnari Vora

I was curious about the application process for a dancemaker, and asked Amy  What should dancemakers consider when applying by the May 15 deadline? The main point I heard was to apply if you are interested! Cast away the self doubt by “demystifying the process [for yourself] as much as possible,” explained Amy. If an artist has any questions about applying, and if Ragdale is a compatible experience for one’s artistic practice, then reaching out to Ragdale staff and dance artists who have been in residence at Ragdale could help both shed light on the process and articulate one’s vision for the residency. Amy also broke down some of the selection process, stating, “I would like to reiterate that applications are reviewed by at least two curatorial board members and those jurors are working in the same creative discipline as that of the applicant. You can think of it as your peers are the ones reviewing your application.”

Applications for all 2023 residencies, fellowships, and themed residencies are now open. The application deadline is May 15, 2022, 11:50 pm CT.

Images: Christopher Knowlton and Kinnari Vora at Ragdale – Studio House of Dance and Music/The Sybil Shearer Studio, Courtesy of the Artists | Opening event for the Studio House of Dance and Music/The Sybil Shearer Studio, Courtesy of Ragdale

Note of Gratitude: Chicago Dancemakers Forum would like to thank Ragdale for the ongoing partnership in support of dancemakers, most recently Ashwaty Chennat, Ayesha Jaco, and Zachary Nichol, in addition to Chris and Kinnari.