Artist Residency

So You Want To Be An Artist-In-Residence?


Artists-in-residence have access to private sleeping quarters, communal household areas, common utilities and wifi, and communal meals. A communal kitchen, food pantry, library, well-equipped music room, glass studio, tool shop, gun range, and 30 acres of outdoor space are available.

An artist residency at East Jesus is a unique opportunity for artists in transition to be in a deeply creative environment while staying as a guest in self-supporting communal housing and helping operate our outdoor museum.
All household chores and operational tasks are collectivized, giving artists abundant time to work on personal projects, learn new skills, work for a different organization remotely, or just relax and socialize. You’ll have access to a vast array of tools, supplies, and “found objects” with which to build just about anything you can imagine. Build an online presence, develop a portfolio, or just take the time to grow as an artist, and hey- “Artist-In-Residence” looks better on a resume than an employment gap.
While work loads vary day to day, it is reasonable to expect to spend 4-6 hours on household chores and operational tasks daily. Outside of that time, residents are encouraged to take time for themselves; make art, work on personal projects, play, relax, socialize.

  • Household Chores: things you would need to do regardless of where you lived, or if you lived alone or with others. Includes tasks like cooking, dishwashing, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, etc. Chores are collectivized, giving a substantial time savings.
  • Operational Tasks: things necessary to the continued operation of East Jesus. Includes acting as a museum docent, maintenance and repair of infrastructure and equipment, restoration or preservation of existing artworks, production of digital content, etc.

There is no compensation offered; however, there is no cost to live here.

Our winter season is typically from October 15 until May 15. During the summer season, we basically “shut down,” because of the extreme weather. We typically do not have guests or offer tours
during the summer season, and we keep a minimum number of residents on site.

High Demand Skills

We are always in search of people with the following skill sets:

  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Auto or small engine mechanic
  • Content production (long and short form video)

People with these skills will be given priority, but do not let this dissuade you from applying. We take ALL types here.

There are two ways to apply for a Residency

Email info@eastjesus.org with the following info:

  • A brief description of relevant skill sets (particularly if you have any of the “high demand skills” we are currently seeking).
  • A list of any relevant professional experience or education.
  • Two relevant references we can contact.
  • Indicate if you are an East Jesuit, know an East Jesuit who can “vouch” for you, or if you are new to East Jesus. New is perfectly fine!
  • A traditional resume is unnecessary. We are looking for RELEVANT prior experience.

OR

I’ve applied, now what?

After we receive your application, we will contact you via email.

  • We’ll let you know if we’re interested in meeting you and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
  • If you are a good candidate but have never had an extended stay at East Jesus, we will contact you to arrange a trial visit so we can assess your fit in the community.
  • If you are a good candidate and are well known to us, we will extend a direct invitation to join the community.
  • When the residencies are filled for the season, we will announce the closing of the application period.

An IDEAL candidate for an East Jesus Artist Residency is:

  • Self-directed; works well autonomously, or in a team.
  • Is a considerate housemate.
  • Recognizes that their health and safety impacts the rest of the team; will decline to do things they aren’t comfortable doing, and communicate clearly about their limitations.
  • Is respectful of other people’s boundaries.
  • Takes responsibility for meeting their own goals and expectations.

You will probably NOT have a good experience if you:

  • Need lots of management or supervision.
  • Have difficulty working or making good choices in the presence of available alcohol or cannabis.
  • Are a habitual user of substances that are not “California Legal.”
  • Are averse to the challenges of living off-grid, or require the conveniences of conventional indoor housing.
  • Have a heavily restricted diet; all refrigeration is communal, and dishes are washed by hand. Cross-contamination of ingredients is inevitable.
  • Are prone to cabin fever or require frequent socialization outside of East Jesus. There’s no where to go, and not much to do.

General Guidelines

  • East Jesus is sober-friendly. Do not pressure people to drink or use with you.
  • East Jesus is 420-friendly. It’s California.
  • East Jesus is queer-friendly. Do not misgender people.
  • East Jesus is 2A-friendly. If you have firearms, they must be properly secured at all times. Do not touch firearms that are not your property without the permission of the owner. No handling of firearms while intoxicated. Firearms are only to be discharged at the firing range, in the presence of an EJ rangemaster. Only the Board of Directors can qualify a rangemaster.
  • No cigarette butts on the ground. Ever.
  • Do not plug in anything larger than a phone charger or laptop without talking to whoever is managing power. Do not unplug anything unless you know it’s safe to unplug.
  • Do not alter existing art pieces without board or curator approval.
  • Do not erect new, immoveable, free-standing art pieces without board or curator approval and placement (this is mostly a safety route/access issue.)
  • Do NOT hook up with a first-time, overnight guest unless you have a pre-existing relationship with them.
  • Partying in the Slabs is discouraged. We’ve had too many people get in altercations out there, then bring their problems back here. Be respectful of the folks in the Slabs, and the residents of Niland. They will see you as a representative of East Jesus. Don’t cause drama for the rest of us, or the Foundation.
  • Real-world laws and common sense rules still exist here.

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

  • All persons entering East Jesus do so at their own risk. By entering East Jesus, you agree to hold harmless the Chasterus Foundation as well as any board member, artist-in-residence, or guest for any harm, including property damage, property loss, injury, or DEATH.
  • Artists-In-Residence are NOT employees, staff, or volunteers; no compensation or benefits of any kind are offered or guaranteed. No insurance of any kind, including workman’s compensation, is provided to Artists-In-Residence.
  • Artists-In-Residence are guests of the Chasterus Foundation.
  • No rights of tenancy or residency are conferred, and guests may be asked to leave the premises at any time.
  • All Artists-In-Residence and over-night guests must be adults of 21 years of age or older.
  • No persons without a current drivers license may operate any of the Chasterus Foundation fleet vehicles for any reason.