Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children’s book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and environmental stewards. Today the legacy of their pursuits lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys’ spirit of curiosity and discovery by increasing understanding and participation in art, science, and nature through programs for youth, adults and families.

The Curious George Cottage Artist in Residence is open to professional and emerging artists in all media – visual and performing arts, craftspeople, authors, poets, composers, eco artists and media artists. The Residency provides an opportunity to pursue and share art and the artistic process in the inspirational setting of New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

The Residency provides the community with direct, hands-on experiences with working artists and an opportunity for the artist to work in an educational and community setting. The Residency strives to encourage students and community members to understand the role of the artist in contemporary society, to engage in the creative process, and to think critically about the arts. The Residency allows the artist to help students, teachers and community members to experience the arts through a variety of activities – programs, workshops, interactive walks/hikes, performances, exhibits, and open studio times, and allows time for the artist to create work.

Through their work, artists contribute to the learning process for people of all ages. Through the Curious George Cottage Artist in Residence, we hope to provide an outlet for the creative spark that ignites an individual or entire community to embrace the arts as an essential part of daily life.

The program is created to honor the creative and artistic legacy of the Reys’ in the place that served as both inspiration and retreat. The Curious George Rey Fund and the Margret and H.A. Rey Center jointly support the Curious George Cottage Artist in Residence.

• One residency will be offered each September for a two-week period. Specific dates will be arranged with the selected artist.
• The Residency includes housing for the artist for the duration of the residency as well as studio space and a $5000. Artists must provide for their own transportation.
• Artists will have dedicated space in the Curious George Cottage to work and will be asked to have scheduled open studio time at least one Saturday during the residency period. Open studio time provides visitors an opportunity to see an artist at work, learn more about and possibly participate in the artistic process.
• During the residency, the artist will provide at least one experience for the public, which can take the form of lecture/demonstration, workshop, master class, exploratory walk/hike, performance, or installation based on the medium and interest of the artist.
• The artist will work with local K-12 or university students at least once during the residency to guide the students through the process of creating a project or work.
• Artists will be asked to donate one piece of work and reproduction rights to the Margret and H.A. Rey Center. These creative works will be displayed at the Rey Center or Curious George Cottage on a rotating basis or shared with the public through other appropriate means.
• If interested, an exhibition of the artist’s work in the Rey Center Art Gallery, coinciding with the period of the residency, can be arranged. A portion of proceeds from the sale of artwork will go to the Margret and H.A. Rey Center to directly support the Artist Residency program.
• Applicants must be 21 or older.

For more information on the Curious George Artist in Residence and the opportunity to apply, please visit the Rey Center’s website at www.thereycenter.org.