Wallace Stegner House
There are presently no open calls for submissions.
Over a sixty year career, Stegner wrote over 60 fiction and non-fiction books. He has been called "the dean of Western writers." He taught at the University of Utah, the University of Wisconsin, Harvard and Stanford. Wallace Stegner's family moved around the West throughout his youth as his father chased opportunities in N. Dakota, Washington, Montana, California and Eastend, Saskatchewan. This experience shaped Stegner's writing and conservation ethic. His experience of being raised in the Cypress Hills and on the vast grasslands of Saskatchewan until the age of 12 was transformative. His early experiences formed the foundation upon which he drew inspiration and found meaning both as an environmentalist and writer until his death. His book "Wolf Willow" is based on his childhood experiences on the Saskatchewan prairie.
"Expose a child to a particular environment at this susceptible time and he will perceive in the shapes of that environment until he dies." - Wallace Stegner
Forty years ago Canadian author Sharon Butala (inspired by Alice Butala) initiated the dream of Wallace Stegner's childhood home in Eastend becoming a place of inspiration for writers and artists. By 1990 the house was purchased and restored and heritage status was granted. Since its opening thirty years ago over 270 writers and artists have found, and continue to find, inspiration inside those fabled walls located in the Cypress Hills surrounded by the last remaining Grasslands. Indeed, writers and artists have come from almost every major Canadian city as well as many international locations.
The Eastend Arts Council, a not for profit charitable association run by a volunteer board of directors, has owned and operated the house since its inception. The Council and the community of Eastend (population 500) have entirely funded the Wallace Stegner House with a vision to help art and culture flourish in our country.
Current Guidelines for Residencies:
Writers, visual and performing artists from around the world are invited to apply for this residency.
Writers must have had their work published; visual and performing artists their work in a public show or gallery to qualify for residency.
The cost of a one month residency is $500. A $250 non-refundable payment is due upon acceptance to the residency program.
The Wallace Stegner House do not offer artist/writers fees for the monthly residency program.
The Wallace Stegner House, situated on the banks of the Frenchman River, provides a quiet and attractive environment in the fully furnished, self-contained home. Every effort is made to ensure a disturbance free stay.
Conditions of this residency require that the artist/writer give one afternoon or evening to a community presentation (such as a reading, small art exhibition or talk about their work or life, presentation at the local school) during their residency. Application deadline is September 01. 2022 and submitters will be notified by mid September.
The Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts 2022.
This grant consists of $500 and one month free residency in the Wallace Stegner House. The winner will select which month they chose to attend.
Applicants for the Grant must have Canadian citizenship and must be published writers (self-publication does not qualify).
Conditions of the grant require the successful applicant to give a public reading and provide 2 workshops/readings for Eastend's K-12 school while in residency.
The selection committee appreciates an applicant's knowledge about, or connection to Wallace Stegner and his legacy - through his writings or through his passion for the land and the environment. Also considered are knowledge or connection to the geography of Eastend/ Cypress Hills area and ways applicants hope to enrich community through their residency. Submission deadline is April 30, 2022 and the recipient will be notified by May 21, 2022.
Commitment to Diversity
The Wallace Stegner House is committed to the inclusion of residents with diverse voices and experiences. In acknowledging the historical and systemic barriers encountered by some people in our society, we strongly encourage all eligible applicants to apply.