Fallingwater Residency in Nature & Place-Based Writing
The Chatham MFA's partnership with Fallingwater allows students the opportunity to study nature and place-based writing on the site of one of our most important regional and national spaces, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, just 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.
Residency Details
The Fallingwater Residency in Nature & Place-Based Writing was established in 2025 as 5-day residency course for the Chatham full and low-res MFA programs. It takes place onsite and is offered every other year to current MFA students and, when space allows, to program alumni and community members. It is the first writing residency of its kind at Fallingwater and includes the following:
- Double-occupancy residency at High Meadow Lodge
- Access to studio space for individual writing and group lectures
- Official tour and access to the iconic house and grounds
- Daily writing sessions and feedback
- Nature walks and fireside readings
- A fully stocked kitchen and delicious meals provided
- Fellowship and inspiration
Residency Cost & Payment
More information is forthcoming.
Sample Schedule
| Day One | Day Two | |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast at High Meadow | |
| 9:00 a.m. | Arrival/Check-In | Silent Hike |
| 10:00 a.m. | Silent Hike | Reflection & guided writing session |
| 11:00 a.m. | Orientation | Introduction to Public Art Exercise |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch at High Meadow | Lunch at High Meadow |
| 1:00 p.m. | Fallingwater Tour | Studio Writing Time |
| 2:00 p.m. | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | ||
| 4:00 p.m. |
Reflection & guided writing session |
Collaborative review session |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Lecture & Discussion "The Fourth River: Twenty Years of Nature & Place-Based Writing" |
Movie & Discussion Saving Fallingwater" |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner at High Meadow | Dinner at High Meadow |
| 7:00 p.m. | Fireside Readings | Fireside Readings |
| 8:00 p.m. | Free Time at High Meadow | Free Time at High Meadow |
| 9:00 p.m. | ||
| 10:00 p.m. | ||
| 11:00 p.m. |
Residency Application
The Fallingwater Residency Application is now closed.