The Ragdale Foundation is an artists' retreat. A place where writers and artists of all disciplines can find uninterrupted time to work in a peaceful setting. Ragdale is situated on 30 acres of virgin prairie in beautiful Lake Forest, Illinois, and each year, provides living and working space for more than 150 writers, visual artists and composers from all over the United States and from many other countries. Located on the estate of the esteemed Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, the surroundings are peaceful and relaxing, but you are only 30 miles from downtown Chicago.
Residencies are available from a minimum of two week to a maximum of two months.
Ragdale has low rates, and some fee wavers are available. Application deadlines for entry into the artists' residency program are January 15 and June 1 of each year. Please see our Application page for more information.