SPACE’s Family Residency

The Family Residency, founded in association with The Lilly Awards Foundation (spearheaded by Julia Jordan, Marsha Norman, and Pia Scala-Zankel), offers working-artist parents the unique opportunity to practice their craft while being in residence with their families. 

In September 2025, SPACE will offer a special Family Residency for working artists (theatre, TV, and film) and their families who have been displaced by the Eaton-Palisades fires. The residency was made possible through a generous partnership with The Colorado Lodge in Big Bear Lake, California and participating artists were nominated by SPACE community members in June and selected by lottery in July.

2025 SPACE at Colorado Lodge residents are Dr. Kahlil Almustafa, Julia Ahumada Grob, John Lavelle, Kristin Slaysman, Stephanie Ward, and their children.  

2025 Colorado Lodge Residents

  • Dr. Kahlil Almustafa

  • Julia Ahumada Grob

  • John Lavelle

  • Kristin Slaysman

  • Stephanie Ward

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY 

The Family Residency provides artist-parents with structured time and space to create while their child(ren) (ages 3-12) participate in nature-focused arts programming under the guidance of professional educators. All residents (parents and children) enjoy three fresh meals daily. The residency culminates in brief, informal presentations of the work created by both parents and children during their time in residence.

TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS FAMILY RESIDENTS:

“Ryder Farm created a scenario where my children did not have to feel threatened by my work. They could enjoy their time with new friends, and then enjoy our time together in the evenings, and my work could be part of the day, but not the deciding factor that took one of their parents “away” from them. Since my children were able to feel included in this trip, and had their own artistic work, they felt fulfilled and most importantly, safe.”
-Kirsten Greenidge, Family Residency 2017

“My time at SPACE was one of the most productive and happy times in my life. The land is inspiring, the staff is extraordinarily kind and caring, and the ethos makes one want to move and stay all year long. SPACE is completely artist-centered, and the staff listens deeply to artists about what they need to thrive. The week I spent there was for parents and children, and was such a happy integration of my work and family life. It was more than a week of getting writing done—it was an experiment in how to live.”
- Sarah Ruhl, Family Residency 2016