Preparing to arrive

2024 COVID-19 Policies

The onset of COVID-19 forced everyone to evaluate their health and safety protocols and to institute new measures to ensure the safety of everyone. SPACE has worked hard to prepare for the residency program and continues to adhere to all federal and state guidelines. 

As everyone enters a new world of living with COVID-19, our policies and procedures continue to evolve. We recognize that living in close quarters for a residency can still be a challenge for immunocompromised people and are committed to making SPACE on Ryder Farm as accessible as possible. At this time, we ask that individuals attending a residency do the following:

• Confirm that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are unvaccinated for religious or health reasons, please reach out to SPACE’s residency team at residencies@spaceonryderfarm.org to discuss alternative preparations. 

• Specify whether or not they need additional COVID-19 precautions. If at least one person in a residency requests additional precautions, all residents will be asked to take a rapid test on the morning of your residency BEFORE traveling to the farm. Please send the results in the form of a photo with timestamp to residencies@spaceonryderfarm.org.

If you are feeling under the weather for reasons other than COVID-19, please be mindful that SPACE is a communal working and living space. Individuals who think or know they may be contagious with a cold, the flu, strep throat, or other contagious illnesses are instructed to stay at home. We will do our best to reschedule your residency during the program year, but can make no guarantees. 

In the event of an exposure to COVID-19 onsite, residents are asked to self-monitor for symptoms, and SPACE will follow the most up-to-date CDC guidelines for testing and contact tracing. 

If someone living onsite has a confirmed case of COVID-19, they will be moved into a designated quarantine bedroom with a private bathroom, where they will be isolated until they can safely return to their home or for 5 to 10 days (depending on CDC and state guidelines). All meals will be provided during the quarantine period. Residents cannot return to the residency program until they have tested negative. Additionally, other people onsite will adhere to exposure procedures, and self-monitor symptoms accordingly. 

Pet Policy

Although we love animals, we cannot accommodate your pets at SPACE. If you have a service animal, please contact our residency team at residencies@spaceonryderfarm.org.

What to Pack

When preparing for your residency at SPACE, keep in mind that during the day, the temperature here in Brewster is generally the same as it is in New York City. Nights can get chilly and the buildings can be drafty, so layers are recommended. For winter/fall residencies, we strongly encourage you to pack warmly.

The following will be provided to you:

• bed and bath linens, including towels of various sizes

• bug spray, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer

• basic office supplies (pens, Post-its, paper clips, tape, dry-erase board)

• in-room mini fridge for medications, skin care, breast milk, etc. 

• analog alarm clock

• in-room laptop stand

• umbrellas 

• in-room yoga mat, blanket, block

What to Bring