GROTA recognizes that one’s environment directly influences the resonance and vitality of their art. We believe that artists can unlock a remarkable, artful state of being when their ecosystem and creative spirit align—thus, our residency program and experiences are designed with the artists complete immersion in mind.

At Gothe Residency of the Arts, every brushstroke, verse, and composition will become a testament to the irreplaceable and precious value of the human experience. Through history, it has been the artists, writers, and poets that have kept our stories alive.

 Art is not a hollow product of technique or skill; It is a dimensional application of the self, a dialogue between intuition, emotion, and individual experience.

By offering an environment where creative process is as significant as the outcomes thereof, GROTA hopes to demonstrate to the world that creativity cannot be replicated or automated by machine with any semblance of value to the human experience. We embrace the philosophy of holistic creative expression—acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the creative process. This regard is woven into the very fabric of GROTA, influencing both the creative ecosystem we are cultivating and the individual processes we strive to accommodate for our guests. 

Rather than chasing productivity and mastery, GROTA trusts in the artistic process and values presence above all else. The creative process is a central value of GROTA because it is only from presence that an artist’s vision begins to form—and can continue to grow.

“Gothe Residency of the Arts is not merely about providing artists with the time, space, and resources they need to work but about ensuring residents can be free from external stressors that impede their creative process through their stay. To be hosted with care and to exist in an environment of utmost intention and hospitality—this is what I believe will allow the residents of GROTA to immerse themselves fully in their creative process.”

—Vincent Gothe

Gothe Residency of the Arts is Neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ owned and operated.

Gothe Residency of the Arts believes in learning from artists all over the world, and connecting under the universal desire to create. We believe that diversity is a strong force that—when accessed and explored—promotes a more accepting and substantial community of creativity.

Listening to others who may live differently than us and learning about their unique cultures, views, and experiences builds tremendous character, and we believe this will lead to GROTA’s community and residents gaining a greater appreciation of the true vastness and beauty of the creative spirit.

Vincent Gothe hopes to remove as many barriers as he can for the residents of GROTA—ensuring that every artist who steps through his doors is met with momentum—as opposed to resistance.

“Makerspaces brimming with equipment and tools (and experienced staff leading workshops to accompany them), complete project grants made possible by patron and private funding, dedicated studios curated to a vibrant array of creative disciplines, a vast library that lends itself to hours of research and exploration—these are only a few of the many ways I envision resources manifesting at GROTA, strengthening the manor as a place that enables the artists to do what they do best: create.”—Vincent Gothe

While many residencies must charge participants to cover operational costs and ensure programme sustainability, Vincent Gothe hopes GROTA can follow a different path—one built on the collective support of GROTA’s community, private donors, patrons, and supporting art and culture institutions.

“I have struggled firsthand with the financial strains that so many early and mid-career artists face, and through this, I empathize deeply with those who feel excluded from the opportunities traditional artist residencies provide.[…]Regardless of private funding and Patreon’s success through the years, my commitment remains the same: to keep residency fees at the lowest possible operational cost for my guests.[…]”

Once a physical location is established and renovations and furnishings are complete, GROTA is designed to sustain much of the manor’s anticipated monthly expenses through the utilization of its in-house studios, creative services, merchandise sales, and event fundraiser revenue. Though Vincent cannot ensure this would generate enough revenue to cover the complete expenses associated with hosting residents and sponsoring their projects, it would, at the very least, enable him host a few guests at a time.

With everything happening in the world right now, GROTA asserts that the creative spirit we all possess needs and thrives through connection and community.

“Without security—I know all too well how easy it is to fall silent. But without our voices, without our art, without our connections—there is little left but fear.

Social media serves many people in many ways — but the algorithms fed to us here do very little to nurture the creative spirit—if anything, it can paralyze us. How often do we subconsciously measure our value by views, likes, and shares? But then…how often does a single comment, an applaud—a single human gesture—enchant the world around you?

GROTA and I have always stood as more than an eventual Residency program. This is about community, and genuine artful connections—and through that, bringing joy and purpose back to the process of creation again.”—Vincent Gothe

“I suspect that it is partially within my own creative isolation that I have lost not only my way, but, in truth, a part of myself. For it is a curious thing, isolation without balance—at once the artist's greatest muse and cruelest tyrant. And yet, how easily we become its willing captives, mistaking solitude for sanctity, only to discover too late that in seeking refuge from the world, we have lost touch with it—and, to our greatest misfortune, ourselves. Tragedy, is it not, to believe that one must retreat from life to create something of substance? From this moment here onward, I shall devote this journal to a simple truth: to live is the greatest art of all, for no masterpiece can be wrought from absence.”

— Mortimer Hawthorne, Resident Journals Entry 3

How many of you have found yourself trapped in this paradox?

GROTA believes solitude is essential to many artists creative process—as it provides space to reflect, process, and transform the world around us., but warns that artists must be careful with their own isolation.

“It is my hope to offer these safe spaces and opportunities for artists to step out, to connect, and to experience the world in new ways—when they’re ready—so that their solitude can be returned to as a sanctuary for growth rather than a place of stagnation.” —Vincent Gothe