What The EC has to offer-

For artists and creatives worldwide, and right here in Lexington, Kentucky

You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don’t know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don’t know who your friends are, you don’t know what you owe anybody, you don’t know what anybody owes to you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen.

Joseph Campbell

Sanctuary, Study, and Studio Immersions

The EC programs are designed for artists who seek to decouple from the superficial noise of the modern world and anchor themselves back into deep, substantive practice. This is a space of organic communion—where the shared energy of creators, nature, and the local community feeds your work.

Imagine creative immersion: working in a dedicated studio, walking through our urban farm and cutting gardens, and drawing inspiration from the seasonal rhythms and natural light of the compound. We have expanded our pathways to ensure every artist can find their sanctuary here.

The Fully Funded Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Experience

The EC Artist-in-Residence program is designed for artists who want to step away from the noise of the everyday and dive deep into their practice. This is a space of “organic communion”—where the shared energy of creators, nature, and the local community feeds your work.

Fully Funded Residencies: Our ultimate mission is to fuel your practice. Through our non-profit funding model, The EC Residency is fully funded—meaning there is zero attendance cost to the awarded artists. some restrictions apply; see FAQ and Rules & Regs

Premium Studio Supplies: We are currently designing our spaces with the high hope and anticipation of partnering with Enkaustikos, Ampersand, and Golden to ensure your studio is stocked with world-class, premium mediums, foundations, and paints. For those who apply with encaustic in mind, join IEA* to qualify for their travel scholarship!

      *The International Encaustic Artists Association is a partner in The EC AiR encaustic studio program.

The Schedule: We host two artists for each intensive two-week periods in May and September.

Upcoming Application Cycles:

  • May 10-24, 2027: Application cycle is closed. May 2028 will open late August, 2027.

  • September 2027: Application opens January 2027

Ready to find your focus? 

AiR Application Here
Rules&Regs, and FAQs here

Creatively Curated Independent Residencies

For the artist who needs immediate, self-directed sanctuary outside of our traditional application cycles, we now offer Independent Residencies during our off-weeks. This self-funded path allows you to intentionally invest in your own development. You design the timeline and focus of your stay, gaining private access to our restorative studio spaces and grounds. It is a rare opportunity to gift yourself uninterrupted time and space, with 100% of your residency investment directly sustaining our non-profit mission.

Independent AiR Inquiry Here

Host a Workshop or Class

Bring your curriculum to life. Space exists with flexible seating, sturdy worktables, and excellent light, offering a welcoming hub for hands-on learning. Affordable hourly rates, half-day or full-day rentals, and collaborative revenue-share options to help independent educators thrive are all options available to your ideas and visions!

  • Ideal for: Mixed media, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, dyeing and sculpting immersives, specialized artisan crafts, and creative masterclasses. So, really, everything!

Book a Project Completion Intensive

Sometimes your current studio space just isn’t big enough for the final push. If you are preparing for an exhibition, managing a heavy production run, or working on an installation that requires serious floor space and zero distractions, you can rent space at The EC for independent production.

  • Ideal for: Artists needing short-term workspace to assemble, lay out, or finalize a project.

Project or Class Space Information Here

Looking Forward: Guest Instructor Retreats (Launching June, 2027)

Beginning in 2027, we are throwing the doors open to a carefully curated lineup of master guest instructors spanning varied artistic mediums. These medium-specific retreats will offer rigorous, high-level instruction designed to expand your creative vocabulary and challenge your technical boundaries within the supportive ecosystem of the compound.

Guest Instructor Applications/Suggestions Here