Residency Program
IMPORTANT NOTE: Oatmeal Creek will not be accepting applications for it’s 2025 residency programs during the normal application period of August 2024. At this time it is not known if Oatmeal Creek will begin taking applications in 2025.
The facilities of Oatmeal Creek and the 240 acres of protected land provide the opportunity for solitude and self-discovery. Each year Oatmeal Creek awards three separate 16-day residencies between early March and late April. Each residency period is reserved for an individual resident. The program is open to emerging and established writers of all genres—fiction, non-fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenplay. The residency provides a fully equipped private residence at no additional cost. Residents are responsible for their own food, materials, and transportation to the residency. Applications are accepted between the dates of August 1 and August 31. Applicants are each evaluated by a diverse selection committee with experience in writing and reading. Applicants will be required to sign a Residency contract, the House Rules document and a Liability Disclaimer before arrival at Oatmeal Creek. These documents will be shared with the finalists before choosing the awarded applicants.
There are opportunities for residents to do a local reading or provide a community workshop at the Joann Cole Mitte Memorial Library in Bertram.
Support
Oatmeal Creek provides an unrestricted honoraria of $750.00.
Payment is disbursed upon departure. Payment is made by check, direct deposit, or other mutually agreed terms.
Upon arrival a residency administrator provides an orientation of the living accommodations and house rules. At the resident’s convenience a comprehensive tour of the property can be arranged. An associated map of the property is provided for residents to use.
For awarded residents seeking additional financial support or travel assistance, we recommend contacting your local arts agency. When a residency is awarded, Oatmeal Creek will supply letters of acceptance to Oatmeal Creek that may be used to confirm your award in seeking additional support, if required.
Facilities
Residents have the exclusive use of a simple 1920's one level ranch home with 3 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen/dining room, 1 bathroom with shower, and a small sitting room. Numerous windows allow for pleasant views and plenty of natural light. There is ample surface space in the house to utilize as needed. Common areas include outside decks, a screened porch, a laundry room, a large vegetable garden, and a covered deck sitting area perched above the garden room. Limited internet access is available and there is no cable television. The property is currently not ADA accessible and the residency is unable to accommodate people with disabilities or significantly impaired mobility. The owner enjoys his own personal space in other quarters on the property.
There is a vehicle available for resident's limited use. The nearest large grocery store and a YMCA with a gym and swimming pool is about 15 miles away in Burnet, Texas. There are convenience stores 2.5 miles away in Bertram, Texas.
The 240 acres have several miles of cleared trails throughout the property as well as numerous spots for viewing the crystal clear waters of the spring fed creek which transverses the property. The creek has several deep spots that are suitable for swimming. The nearby Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge provides additional hiking and outdoor opportunities.
Visit the Apply page to see our 2023 residency dates and learn how to become an Oatmeal Creek resident.