Residency Dates: Sunday, October 05, 2025 - Saturday, October 25, 2025

Application Deadline: Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST

Residency Statement
I am interested in working with a cohort to create a space of bravery—where we feel empowered enough to be our bravest selves, to take risks in our artmaking, to embody what it would feel like for us to be fearless in the pursuit of our craft. All genres of writing are welcome (screenwriting, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama), and artists should be interested in pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and engaging in practices that get in touch with their intuitive and spiritual center.

Application Requirements

1.  Submit up to 10 pages of writing or a short film no longer than 10 minutes

2.  CV

3.  A letter of intent that answers: Who are you, and what communities are you a part of/do you honor in your work? What are you contending with around fear in your art making? Where is fear stealing your voice? What do you need to be brave in this moment? What is the vision you see for yourself as an artist? How does your artistic practice counter the violence of the state? What does being an artist mean to you?

Residency Dates: July 11-14, 2025
Application Deadline: June 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

Notice of Acceptance: by June 20, 2025

   Please tell us about yourself by uploading a pdf or Word document with the answers to these questions:

Writing Prompt: 

-How long have you considered yourself a creative writer/artist?

-What are your favorite genre(s) to write and express yourself?

-What areas do you feel you are weak in, that you would love to strengthen? 

-What are your short-term AND long-term goals when it comes to your writing/artistry? 

About This Residency: 

This summer, Atlantic Center for the Arts offers a unique 4-day/overnight teen writing residency for high-school-aged creatives. It is designed to guide teens to discover their individual voices and creativity and move them forward in achieving their writing career goals. The residency will focus on all aspects of writing:

•  Script writing  

• Fiction

• Non-fiction

• Poetry

• Spoken Word

 An ACA Lead Coordinator with expertise in poetry and Spoken Word, along with four experienced guest writers, each specializing in a different field, (poetry, fiction, screenplay/play script and comedy) will conduct the workshops and mentorship sessions.

The daily schedule will include:

 • Workshops 

 • Break-out groups (by interests)

 • Professional feedback sessions

 • Time to write

 • Time to appreciate ACA’s 69-acre campus on Turnbull Bay estuary

On the final day of the residency, the students’ parents and ACA’s community will be invited to attend Inside Out, a showcase during which each student will present a short sample of the writing they developed at ACA. 

Lead Coordinator: Justin Lang aka Justincredible (spoken word)

Justincredible is known for 3 words: “Real”, “Passion”, and “Flow”. He believes art should imitate life. Born and raised in South Florida, he is a two-time author of Real Life University: The Most Relevant, Hardcore Life Lessons for Anyone Under 40!, and a musical artist and poet. Justin has served his community for eight years as an educator and counselor in public and private schools, and has been hosting live community events, facilitating workshops and serving as a Community Artist Ambassador for Atlantic Center for the Arts since 2020. As the director of the creative arts mentorship program #GREATNESS: Behind the Scenes, Justin teams up with fellow artists from all disciplines to guide the next generation of creatives. His goal is to promote literacy, self-discovery, healthy communication, and mental/physical health through the arts. Currently, he is an award winning, nationally ranked poet by the U.S. Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam competition.

Additional mentor biographies can be found here: https://atlanticcenterforthearts.org/event-or-exhibition/howard-roland-teen-creative-writing-storytelling-residency/

DETAILS

Cost
   $300 for 4 days/3 nights, including lodging, meals, and tuition
   3 Qualified adult chaperones will be on-site 24/7

Food
   All participants will eat together in the Commons dining hall on campus, and provided 3 meals a day. Our chef is sensitive to your dietary needs, so you will be asked to provide us with any dietary restrictions. Please bring your own medications or health-related food that you require.
Housing
   The ACA main campus is located at 1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach, FL. All participants will be provided with a single room with bathroom and shower (not shared). See photos of our accommodations at the bottom of this page: https://atlanticcenterforthearts.org/facilities/studios-facilities-housing/
Laundry
    Bed and bath linens are provided. A coin laundry is located at the Associate Housing.
Internet
   Internet is widely available throughout campus, but cellphone date service can be weak at times.
Access
   Atlantic Center for the Arts is located at 1414 Art Center Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL and is a secure, gated campus in the wilderness area south of Spruce Creek Preserve next to the Turnbull Bay estuary.

For questions: please inquire with the ACA Community Arts Director, Eve Payor at epayor@atlanticcenterforthearts.org