Past Writers in Residence

Bernheim’s Writer in Residence Program

Bernheim is a beautiful 14,000-acre property located 25 miles south of Louisville, open throughout the year to the public. Bernheim is comprised of a nationally-recognized 250 acre arboretum with over 8,000 specimens of plants, and 14,000 acres of forest, protecting diverse plant and animal species. Over 35 miles of hiking trails, outdoor exhibits and other amenities offer abundant recreational and inspirational opportunities, which attract thousands of visitors each year.

Applications are no longer being taken for the 2010 residency. Submission deadline was January 31, 2010.

JURY PROCEDURE

Jurors will select the award recipient based on the quality of the work samples submitted. Support materials will be considered, but only as a secondary resource.

Eligibility
The goal in all of Bernheim's activities is to help realize its mission of strengthening the bond between people and nature by finding new ways to connect nature with people's everyday lives. We believe that if people recognize and benefit from the many values found in nature, quality of life will be improved, and thus they will be motivated to protect the natural world for both its practical and its intrinsic value. The Bernheim Writing Fellowship is generally awarded annually to a talented writer who will work within the forest and/or arboretum to create works that are inspired by nature. The residency provides the writer an opportunity to advance his or her own skills and career while enhancing awareness of Bernheim's goals regionally, nationally and internationally.

Award
The recipient is required to live at Bernheim for a minimum of two months and up to four months while working on her or his project. Bernheim will provide comfortable housing in a beautiful wooded setting, plus a financial grant of up to $1000.00 to cover travel, material cost and personal expenses.

The recipient of the Bernheim Fellowship must donate examples of a body of work produced during the residency to Bernheim for its permanent use. These works will become part of the Bernheim Library Collection. Recipients are required to interact with the public in some way, which may include leading a workshop, readings, book signings, etc.  Bernheim and the recipient will reach an agreement together regarding the work to be donated and the interaction required from each artist.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Writers (poets, novelists, screenwriters, etc.) who would like to be considered for this fellowship should send 5 copies (individually packaged) of a resume, a fellowship proposal, and a work sample, and at least one professional letter of reference. The proposal may or may not be specific but should outline areas that you would like to explore in nature. The work sample should consist of one or more of the following:
     • ten poems 
     • one play 
     • two short stories 
     • novel excerpts
     • essay

Each submission package must include the following:
     • Introduction letter
     • Resume
     • Professional letter of reference
     • 5 copies of work samples
       (WITHOUT NAME ON ANY OF THE PAGES OR WORKS)
     • 5 copies of Proposal (what project or works you intend to accomplish
       or focus on during your residency – WITHOUT NAME)

The writing sample and proposal packages will be sent to 5 individual jurors and should be exact copies. The artist's name should not appear on work samples themselves, or the fellowship proposal.  Name will be included on the intro letter, resume, and professional reference letter only and will be used only as secondary support information in case of a tie.
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the immediate rejection of the application.
Please submit all materials by certified mail, Federal Express, or UPS Next Day Air, all of which will provide a return receipt.

Address packages to:
       Bernheim Writing Fellowship
       P.O. Box 130
       Clermont, KY  40110

All entrants will receive notification after May 15, 2010.