Where Creatives Travel to Get Inspired

In a society that rewards burnout and thrives on grind culture, our daily lives don’t always afford us the luxury to spend free time on our craft. Many of us are also way too online and burdened by a constant news cycle, making it difficult to find moments of stillness: a necessary ingredient for good art. To help, we’ve found some of the most awe inspiring and creativity-focused retreats around the world. Whether you want to make progress on an existing project, begin something new, or simply reconnect with your artistic side, these are the places to add to your list.

FOR THE ARTIST WHO LOVES NATURE

Estudio Corazón at Ghost Ranch; Abiquiu, New Mexico

The two- to four-week residency program is for artists of any medium—from painters and writers to musicians and sculptors. Prices range from $1,950 to $4,500, depending on the length of the stay, and scholarships are available. Attendees can use their time to work on a personal project or simply immerse themselves in the desert landscape. “Artists are allowed to use the residency however they want,” says Joanne Lefrak, director of experience and social impact at Ghost Ranch. “If they just need time to decompress and get out of their day-to-day, that’s totally fine.” Ghost Ranch has activities like horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking, as well as classes in painting, welding, silversmithing, and pottery. It also offers a Georgia O’Keeffe landscape tour—the legendary painter had a house on the property and several of her works were painted there. Guests stay in individual “casitas” which overlook the breathtaking Kitchen Mesa trail.

FOR THE MUSICIAN WHO WANTS TO CREATE AT SEA

Ocean Sound; Giske, Norway

Located on the seashore of a remote island, this recording studio has played host to established artists like Sade and Arcade Fire. “It’s kind of isolated, which also makes it a really unique and beautiful experience,” says Tonje Alnes, the studio manager. The space is open to everyone, including budding songwriters and smaller bands. One of the perks is an in-house engineer that you can work with; the first-day starting price is $1,200, but if you don’t need an engineer, it drops to $900. Even better, the studio has living quarters, and guests are able to stay for as long as they like. “You don’t have to come here to record,” Alnes says. “You can also come to get into a creative bubble. Since you’re so close to nature, you can’t really do anything else other than be in the studio or go for a walk. You really have a chance to calm down, breathe, and focus on your creativity.”

FOR THE NOVICE PAINTER OR PHOTOGRAPHER

ULUM Moab Resort; Moab, Utah

No TVs and Wi-Fi only available in the main building means it’s especially easy for guests to unplug and work on their craft at this resort. Just a stone’s throw away from Looking Glass Arch and Canyonlands National Park, the soulful space not only provides a creative respite, but also has a number of activities to keep you centered, like sunrise yoga, sound-bowl healing, and meditation. On the artsy side, it offers paint nights and guided sunset photo classes where visitors can practice their photography skills while taking in the scenic views. “It’s really about immersion in nature,” says May Lilley, chief marketing officer at ULUM. “So it does lend itself to creative programming ideas that are really for anyone.” The swanky and spacious luxury suite tents, which average at about $600 per night, include elevated wood fixtures, a rain shower, and a private deck perfect for stargazing.

FOR THE AUTHOR LOOKING FOR A NETWORK

Yaddo; Saratoga Springs, New York

For James Baldwin and Sylvia Plath; Jenny Zhang and Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yaddo—located on 400 bucolic acres—is the place where literary legends
come to work. Stays can be as short as two weeks or as long as two months and are free, although you do have to be accepted into the program. Yaddo prioritizes collaboration and community, so guests are expected to attend group dinners where they can talk more about their projects and connect with other writers. During the day, there are designated quiet hours so people can write uninterrupted or take the time to go for a walk through the woods. While it’s a popular haven for authors, those working in choreography, film, painting, photography, and other creative disciplines are welcome, as well.

FOR THE CREATIVE WHO WANTS TO EXPLORE A DIFFERENT CULTURE

Black Rock; Dakar, Senegal

Founded in 2019 by painter Kehinde Wiley, the oceanside spot is a multidisciplinary one- to three-month residency that is open to painters, sculptors, photographers, textile artists, filmmakers, writers, and those working in mixed media. It’s free to attend and artists receive a $1,000 stipend for art supplies. Guests stay on-site and are given the space to work on their craft in studios located on the residency compound. Black Rock also has shared areas where artists can gain inspiration, like the interior gardens and library. “One of the most unique elements of the program is the opportunity to engage with Dakar and its surrounding areas,” says Kéwé Lô, director of Black Rock Senegal. “We encourage opportunities to host open studios, attend cultural events, visit and learn from local artists, share your practice through workshops, and hold screenings.” Residency alumni are also invited back to participate in DAK’ART, a biennial art exhibition in Dakar.

FOR THE WRITER SEARCHING FOR A BIG IDEA

The Hemingway Home and Museum; Key West, Florida

When Ernest Hemingway lived in his Key West home in the 1930s, he created seminal works, like the novel To Have and Have Not. Now, established authors or writing newbies can create their next literary masterpiece in the exact same spot. The house has since been turned into a museum where you can not only tour the space, but also sign up for a program called The Writing Experience, a two-hour, $1,500 self-guided writing session for you and one guest inside Hemingway’s original studio. At the end of the day, once the property is closed, guests are invited to stay back and utilize the property, where they’ll have full access to the house and a quiet space to work. Hemingway’s typewriter is on display, and though it’s not available to use, it’s sure to conjure some inspiration.

FOR THE VISUAL ARTIST WHO WANTS TO GET EYES ON THEIR WORK

Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency; Joshua Tree, California

Situated in the Mojave Desert, the vibe at this West Coast residency is nothing short of magic. All mediums are welcome, but the seven-week program is partial to visual artists like photographers, painters, and filmmakers. It’s free to attend and visitors are given a $1,500 stipend; accommodations are private cabins just minutes away from Joshua Tree National Park. There’s no set schedule and attendees are free to curate their own itinerary. “We realized that giving artists time and space away from their normal lives and responsibilities does wonders for their creativity,” says James Berg, cofounder of Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency. As part of the programming, Berg and his fellow cofounder Frederick Fulmer host events and get-togethers for guests to mingle, and at the end of each stay they host an open studio and invite the local community to come see what the artists have created.

This article appears in Marie Claire's 2025 Craftsmanship Issue.