Independent Project Residency
The Independent Project Residency, inaugurated in 2022, invites design practitioners to bring their own interests and projects to the Block House on Governors Island.
Fellows are among the first to stay overnight on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996 and are immersed in the culture of various arts organizations occupying the Island’s historic structures. Fellows present the progress of their work to the public at Open [Block] House events and participate in Dinner Parties and other cohort activities. The Residency concludes with an exhibit and public presentation of the Fellows’ Work.
Applications for the 2025 Independent Project Residency are now open.
Fellows are among the first to stay overnight on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996 and are immersed in the culture of various arts organizations occupying the Island’s historic structures. Fellows present the progress of their work to the public at Open [Block] House events and participate in Dinner Parties and other cohort activities. The Residency concludes with an exhibit and public presentation of the Fellows’ Work.
Applications for the 2025 Independent Project Residency are now open.
Past Residencies
2024 Fall Residency:
Independent Projects
The 2024 Fall Residency brings six fellows to the Block House, focusing their research on critical topics in contemporary design including sound, ecology, urbanism, fabrication, storytelling, and more..
︎︎︎ Learn More
2024 Summer Residency:
Independent Projects
The 2024 Summer Residency program represents the fifth edition of the Independent Project Residency at the Block House, and included five Fellows across a range of disciplines including architecture, communications design, sculpture, writing and industrial design.
︎︎︎ Learn More
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2024 Spring Residency:
Independent Projects
The first Springtime Residency gathered three Fellows for a period of eleven weeks at the Block House. Fellows represented a range of disciplines including architecture, landscape architecture and art.
︎︎︎ Learn More
Selected Topic Fellowship
The Selected Topic Fellowship, inaugurated in 2014, prompts teams of design practitioners to address a particular pressing urban issue in NYC by collaborating, sharing research, and proposing design solutions in an immersive collective studio setting.
Fellows have daytime access to workspace and shared amenities at the Block House and participate in panel discussions, research trips, and team meals. At the conclusion of the Fellowship, Fellow teams present their work with an exhibit and public presentation.
Fellowship opportunities are announced through an open call, with applications evaluated by an Independent Selection Committee.
Fellows have daytime access to workspace and shared amenities at the Block House and participate in panel discussions, research trips, and team meals. At the conclusion of the Fellowship, Fellow teams present their work with an exhibit and public presentation.
Fellowship opportunities are announced through an open call, with applications evaluated by an Independent Selection Committee.
Past Fellowships
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2022 Fall Fellowship: Reconnecting Communities Across the BQE
Teams considered sections of the BQE that might be removed, reconceived as boulevards, or decked-over, with an opportunity for communities to decide which programs—housing, community space, urban farms, recreation, schools, green industries—might occupy this potential “land bank” along the BQE corridor.
︎︎︎ Learn More
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2020 Fall Fellowship:
To BE or not to BQE
Five teams of Fellows were asked to envision a future without the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway; considering strategies and a re-use of the land it currently occupies in “a broader vision for the future of the highway.”
︎︎︎ Learn More
Recent Fellows
︎︎︎ All Fellows
Block House
In 2021, the Institute for Public Architecture moved into its new home: the Block House on Governors Island.
The house is a registered landmark, designed in the Greek Revival style by architect Martin E. Thompson in the 1840s. Located on the historic Nolan Park campus, it is currently the only building that supports overnight accommodations on the island.
Open Call
2025 Spring Independent Project Residency Applications are now closed.
Please keep an eye out for our upcoming 2025 call in late Fall.
Check back soon for future opportunities and stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter.
Please keep an eye out for our upcoming 2025 call in late Fall.
Check back soon for future opportunities and stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter.
2025 INDEPENDENT PROJECT RESIDENCY
at the Block House
Summer
June 1 - August 17, 2025
Fall
September 1 - November 16, 2025
Applications close January 10, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
INTRODUCTION
The Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) welcomes applications for the 2025 Independent Project Residency based at the historic Block House on Governors Island.
The IPA Independent Project Residency program invites emerging and mid-career practitioners – whose work focuses on the public realm – to live and work during an eleven week live-in Residency at the IPA Block House on Governors Island. The Residency seeks to create new interdisciplinary opportunities for collective thinking by providing communal space for architects, urbanists, landscape architects, designers, artists, climate researchers, and researchers to live, work, and develop independent projects within the community of the residency. Applicants will bring their own interests to the program and will have opportunities to engage with the public and various local community partners and social practices within the IPA network over the course of the Residency, which will culminate in an exhibition of work at the Block House.
IPA Fellows are among the first civilian residents to live on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996. Fellows will enjoy unparalleled historic, natural, and urban resources with direct access to downtown Manhattan and waterfront Brooklyn neighborhoods via ferry. The IPA, a long-term tenant on Governors Island together with Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School, Earth Matter, Beam Center and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, is one of more than twenty arts, cultural, educational, and environmental nonprofit organizations operating on the Island, forming a unique community that connects with a diverse and growing audience of nearly one million annual visitors.
The IPA Independent Project Residency program invites emerging and mid-career practitioners – whose work focuses on the public realm – to live and work during an eleven week live-in Residency at the IPA Block House on Governors Island. The Residency seeks to create new interdisciplinary opportunities for collective thinking by providing communal space for architects, urbanists, landscape architects, designers, artists, climate researchers, and researchers to live, work, and develop independent projects within the community of the residency. Applicants will bring their own interests to the program and will have opportunities to engage with the public and various local community partners and social practices within the IPA network over the course of the Residency, which will culminate in an exhibition of work at the Block House.
IPA Fellows are among the first civilian residents to live on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996. Fellows will enjoy unparalleled historic, natural, and urban resources with direct access to downtown Manhattan and waterfront Brooklyn neighborhoods via ferry. The IPA, a long-term tenant on Governors Island together with Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School, Earth Matter, Beam Center and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, is one of more than twenty arts, cultural, educational, and environmental nonprofit organizations operating on the Island, forming a unique community that connects with a diverse and growing audience of nearly one million annual visitors.
“My time on the island has allowed me to explore what a video installation of my work can look like. The openness the residency allowed me to experiment with all types of media including film, animation, and writing, which will inform the creation of a larger exhibition of the work in the future.“
Noah Gotlib ‘24 Fellow
Noah Gotlib ‘24 Fellow
“I had the flexibility to explore themes and design interests at multiple scales that benefited my overall design deliverables. l feel I wouldn't have made this kind of progress without being in an environment surrounded by other creatives, space, and an energy unique only to the Block House.” -
Immanuel Oni ‘23 Fellow
Immanuel Oni ‘23 Fellow
...When I arrived at the Block House, everything was in place for me to focus fully on my work. I finished more writing in these three and a half months than I did in years...”
Line Algoed ‘22 Fellow Read more from our Fellows at the bottom of the page.
Line Algoed ‘22 Fellow Read more from our Fellows at the bottom of the page.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The Residency program is open to local and global applicants from diverse backgrounds, educations, experiences, and aspirations at any stage of their career. Applicants may be practitioners working across disciplines, with an emphasis on the public realm. The program is especially well-suited for those on sabbatical or with funded projects. The program is not open to current students.
The Independent Project Residency program is intended for applicants with a clearly developed focus and/or approach who need time and space to work independently within the context of a unique and supportive communal environment. During the Summer and Fall seasons, public programming and visitor traffic is high and fluctuates according to weather. As temperatures drop towards the later Fall months, public traffic will give way to a quieter and slower period.
Fellows will have the opportunity for public engagement while also enjoying a degree of solitude and productive separation from the fast pace of NYC, with access via ferry after public hours. The IPA Block House provides comfortable living accomodations alongside ample space to conduct research within the communal Studio and Library. Fellows are encouraged to skill-share and engage with their cohort through both planned and spontaneous activities throughout the Residency.
Although collaborators may apply, each applicant must complete an individual application and will be evaluated separately, with no guarantee that both collaborators will be selected.
︎︎︎ Meet previous Fellows
The Independent Project Residency program is intended for applicants with a clearly developed focus and/or approach who need time and space to work independently within the context of a unique and supportive communal environment. During the Summer and Fall seasons, public programming and visitor traffic is high and fluctuates according to weather. As temperatures drop towards the later Fall months, public traffic will give way to a quieter and slower period.
Fellows will have the opportunity for public engagement while also enjoying a degree of solitude and productive separation from the fast pace of NYC, with access via ferry after public hours. The IPA Block House provides comfortable living accomodations alongside ample space to conduct research within the communal Studio and Library. Fellows are encouraged to skill-share and engage with their cohort through both planned and spontaneous activities throughout the Residency.
Although collaborators may apply, each applicant must complete an individual application and will be evaluated separately, with no guarantee that both collaborators will be selected.
︎︎︎ Meet previous Fellows
PROGRAM GOALS
This program is designed for applicants with research and design projects at any stage of development who would benefit from sharing their work in the collective, interdisciplinary context of the Residency. To that end, time will be set aside throughout the Residency for Fellows to present and discuss their work with the cohort, IPA staff, guests, and the public.
During the Residency, Fellows’ work can be presented in any format: academic papers, articles, and/or book chapters, film, sound, installations, drawings, models, and other media. The program will culminate in an exhibition at the Block House, and Fellows’ work will be published on the IPA’s digital channels and website.
During the Residency, Fellows’ work can be presented in any format: academic papers, articles, and/or book chapters, film, sound, installations, drawings, models, and other media. The program will culminate in an exhibition at the Block House, and Fellows’ work will be published on the IPA’s digital channels and website.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The Independent Project Residency offers applicants the opportunity to bring their own interests and projects to New York City, with its vast network of expertise and leadership in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and design. Fellows will present the progress of their work to the public at Open [Block] House events throughout the Residency. Each Fellow will also have the opportunity to engage directly with local community and social practices within the IPA’s network, further building on the IPA’s mission of using design to address social, physical and environmental inequities in New York City.
Programming includes:
︎︎︎ See previous programs
Programming includes:
- Open [Block] House: a series of public events at the Block House that welcome visitors and invited guests to engage in conversation and review project progress with Fellows.
- Weekend Open Library: visitors are welcomed into the IPA library and gallery on weekends. Fellows are invited to interact with visitors and share the progress of their work.
- Residency Dinner Series: a series of curated meals are held throughout the program that will welcome esteemed guests, members of other Island-based organizations, and former Fellows to a dinner with current Fellows.
- Exhibition: Fellows participate in a culminating exhibition event with invited guests and the public.
︎︎︎ See previous programs
SELECTION
An Independent Selection Committee composed of experts within the fields of architecture and design will review applications. Applicants should make clear how they and their proposed project will benefit from being based at the Block House on Governors Island and its larger connections to New York City; preference will be given to project proposals that do so. Selection of Fellows will also be based on the applicant’s experience, intent, and relevance of their project to the IPA’s mission of addressing social, physical and environmental inequities in the city. The Selection Committee will be announced soon.
FELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES
Fellows will be expected to:
- Live and work collectively with other Fellows, regularly engaging in communal cohort activities.
- Purchase their own groceries and any other personal items throughout the Residency (with the exception of occasional catered events).
- Keep private and communal areas tidy.
- Participate in public presentations of work.
- Host two Open Library afternoons at the Block House, engaging with visitors to the IPA.
- Submit work completed during the Residency to the IPA before the conclusion of the program.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
To be announced.
PRACTICAL INFO
DURATION
Applications for Summer & Fall sessions are open and can be submitted here.
Each 2025 Independent Project Residency runs for 11 weeks:
Spring (Applications Closed)
March 1 - May 17, 2025
Summer
June 1 - August 17, 2025
Fall
September 1 - November 16, 2025
Each 2025 Independent Project Residency runs for 11 weeks:
Spring (Applications Closed)
March 1 - May 17, 2025
Summer
June 1 - August 17, 2025
Fall
September 1 - November 16, 2025
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit the following documentation through the online form. Links to outside websites or files are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process.
︎︎︎ Apply Here
- Statement of interest: Describe (1) how you would use your time at the Residency, (2) the relevance of the Block House and New York City to your proposed project, and (3) how living/working on Governors Island may benefit your work. (maximum 500 words)
- Research/Design proposal: Summary of the research or design work to be developed during the Residency program. Work can be ongoing or a new endeavor. (maximum 500 words)
- References: Two references with full name and current email addresses. Recommendation letters are not required.
- Curriculum vitae. (PDF format, maximum 5MB)
- Work samples: Relevant research or work samples and/or portfolio. (PDF format, maximum 10MB)
︎︎︎ Apply Here
RESIDENCY FEE
The 2025 Residency Fee consists of two parts; the Program Fee and the Room Fee.
Summer fixed program fee:
$3750
Fall fixed program fee:
$3500
The Room Fee ranges from $2,000–$3,500.
All Fellows are required to pay both fees to attend the Residency, although the Room Fee varies depending on the room selected by the Fellow. In total, the cost of attending the 2025 Residency will range from $5,500 to $7,250.
Once applicants are invited to join the program, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to secure a spot in the Residency. The remaining balance is due in advance prior to the beginning of the program. Room selection occurs at the time of the payment of deposit first-come, first-serve. The $1,000 deposit is applied towards the Room Fee.
Fellows are encouraged to seek partial or full financial support from their institutions or other funding sources to offset the Program and Room Fees. The IPA has assembled a preliminary list of funding sources for applicants here.
Summer fixed program fee:
$3750
Fall fixed program fee:
$3500
The Room Fee ranges from $2,000–$3,500.
All Fellows are required to pay both fees to attend the Residency, although the Room Fee varies depending on the room selected by the Fellow. In total, the cost of attending the 2025 Residency will range from $5,500 to $7,250.
Once applicants are invited to join the program, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to secure a spot in the Residency. The remaining balance is due in advance prior to the beginning of the program. Room selection occurs at the time of the payment of deposit first-come, first-serve. The $1,000 deposit is applied towards the Room Fee.
Fellows are encouraged to seek partial or full financial support from their institutions or other funding sources to offset the Program and Room Fees. The IPA has assembled a preliminary list of funding sources for applicants here.
PROGRAM FEE BREAKDOWN
The Program Fee covers:
The Room Fee covers:
- Registration and administrative overhead
- Cohort activities, including a curated Dinner series, public events, and a final exhibition at the Block House
- Occasional communal meals and get togethers
- In-house program and facilities staff
The Room Fee covers:
- A private bedroom with individual climate control, supplied with a full (double) bed, pillows, sheets, towel and closet
- A personal desk and chair in the communal studio area with a lockable cabinet
- Shared bathrooms and in-house laundry with washer and dryer
- A fully-equipped shared kitchen and dining room
- Common workspaces and living areas
- Outdoor areas adjacent to the house with tables, chairs and open space
- High-speed internet within the Block House
- 24-hour Island security
- Unlimited ferry rides between Governors Island and Manhattan (ferries from Brooklyn are not included)
PROGRAM FEE WAIVERS
We understand that the cost of the Residency might be a barrier to entry for some applicants. The IPA offers a very limited number of need-based partial Program Fee Waivers (PFW). The aim of the PFW is to address systemic barriers that some applicants may face. Applicants may apply for a PFW for any reason. Any information submitted will remain confidential for the use of the IPA in determining an applicant’s need for financial support. Successful applicants will be informed if they have been awarded a partial PFW when they are notified of their acceptance to the Residency.
PFWs are evaluated separately from the rest of the application and submitting a request will not negatively affect an application. Please note we are currently unable to waive the Room Fee due to high facility costs.
If you are interested in applying for a PFW, please include a 500–750 word letter that describes your need and outlines how a PFW would support your project throughout the Residency. Requests must be submitted through the
application and will not be considered after the general Open Call deadline.
PFWs are evaluated separately from the rest of the application and submitting a request will not negatively affect an application. Please note we are currently unable to waive the Room Fee due to high facility costs.
If you are interested in applying for a PFW, please include a 500–750 word letter that describes your need and outlines how a PFW would support your project throughout the Residency. Requests must be submitted through the
application and will not be considered after the general Open Call deadline.
FUNDING RESOURCES
Please visit the IPA Guide to Funding Opportunities here. The this collection of listings includes a combination of grants, awards and scholarships, as well as other funding guides This guide is a starting point for IPA Fellows and is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Fellows are encouraged to conduct their own research for additional opportunities.
PROGRAM CONCLUSION
At the end of the Residency, Fellows’ work will be submitted to the IPA for publication on digital channels and the website. During the Residency, Fellows should expect to receive feedback from invited guests. The final exhibition will be documented and shared publicly. As an independent program, no official qualifications or diplomas are awarded.
VEHICLE ACCESS
Governors Island is a predominantly car-free space, with very limited vehicle access. Fellows will not be able to bring or use a vehicle on the Island during the Residency period. There are no stores on Governors Island; all groceries and other items must be purchased on the mainland and brought to the Island. Hand carts are available for Fellow use.
NOTES
Upon request, the IPA can supply successful applicants with documentation of their invitation to participate in the Residency that may be used to apply for a Visa, grants or other related matters. The IPA is unable to directly assist with or provide Visas to international applicants. Please consult the Department of State’s website for more information on Visa requirements.
Materials submitted for and resulting from the Residency may be retained for use by the IPA for exhibition, publication, and promotional purposes, without compensation. The Fellow will retain full copyright of all materials resulting from the Residency unless otherwise stated. The IPA will not be held liable for any damages, errors or omissions.
By participating in the program, Fellows agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give permission to use their likeness in promotional and/or marketing materials.
At this time, the Block House is unable to accommodate Fellows’ families, domestic partners, or pets.
Materials submitted for and resulting from the Residency may be retained for use by the IPA for exhibition, publication, and promotional purposes, without compensation. The Fellow will retain full copyright of all materials resulting from the Residency unless otherwise stated. The IPA will not be held liable for any damages, errors or omissions.
By participating in the program, Fellows agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give permission to use their likeness in promotional and/or marketing materials.
At this time, the Block House is unable to accommodate Fellows’ families, domestic partners, or pets.
INQUIRIES
ISLAND LIFE
THE BLOCK HOUSE
Fellows will live and work in a landmarked Greek Revival building designed in the 1840s by architect Martin E. Thompson. During the decades when Governors Island was a U.S. military base, the Block House served as a General’s headquarters, Officers’ quarters and hospital. The Block House contributes to the vibrant, culturally diverse and verdant Nolan Park and is one of the oldest structures on the Island.
The IPA has restored and equipped the Block House to support the Residency and create a productive environment for living and working.
︎︎︎ Learn more about the Block House
The IPA has restored and equipped the Block House to support the Residency and create a productive environment for living and working.
︎︎︎ Learn more about the Block House
GOVERNORS ISLAND
Governors Island is a 172-acre Island in the heart of New York Harbor. Just minutes from Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront by ferry, the Island is a popular destination open to visitors year-round. An award-winning park complements the Island’s historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, rich arts and culture programs, and 22-acre National Monument. The Island features expansive open space, playgrounds, several dining and food-truck options, historic sites, trails, bicycle rentals, an urban farm, athletic fields, birdwatching, and sweeping views of the New York and New Jersey skylines.
The Block House is currently the only building on Governors Island that supports short-term overnight accommodations for cultural and academic purposes. As such, Fellows will enjoy exclusive access to the Island beyond its regular operating hours. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of the Spring season’s slower pace, including the rare opportunity to reside on the Island during its quieter periods.
Current tenants include the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Billion Oyster Project, Beam Center, QC New York Spa, Earth Matter and many more seasonal organizations-in-residence. You can see a full list here.
The Block House is currently the only building on Governors Island that supports short-term overnight accommodations for cultural and academic purposes. As such, Fellows will enjoy exclusive access to the Island beyond its regular operating hours. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of the Spring season’s slower pace, including the rare opportunity to reside on the Island during its quieter periods.
Current tenants include the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Billion Oyster Project, Beam Center, QC New York Spa, Earth Matter and many more seasonal organizations-in-residence. You can see a full list here.
HISTORY
The Island was referred to as Paggank (Nut Island) by the indigenous Lenape of the Manhattan region, after its plentiful hickory, oak and chestnut trees. With the arrival of the Dutch West India Company in 1624, the Island was confiscated and renamed “Noten Eylandt” and a small fort and sawmill was constructed. In 1664 the English captured New Amsterdam and took Nutten Island (the British mispronunciation of the Island) transforming it into a fort and garrison, eventually renaming it Governors Island and reserving it for the “benefit and accommodation of His Majesty’s Governors.”
After the American Revolution, the State of New York took control of the Island as part of an effort to fortify coastal defenses and constructed Fort Jay. In 1800, New York transferred the Island to the US government for military use. In 1966, the Island was transferred to the US Coast Guard, becoming a self-contained residential community with a population of over 3,000. As a cost cutting measure, the Coast Guard closed its facilities and relocated all personnel in 1996. In 2003, the Island was transferred back to the City and State of New York, with a provision that it be used for the public benefit. Today three entities act as stewards and advocates for the Island: The Trust for Governors Island, the National Park Service and the Friends of Governors Island.
We take a moment here to acknowledge the Lenape peoples and other Indigenous caretakers of this Island and its waters; to the elders who have lived here and to the future stewards that may come.
After the American Revolution, the State of New York took control of the Island as part of an effort to fortify coastal defenses and constructed Fort Jay. In 1800, New York transferred the Island to the US government for military use. In 1966, the Island was transferred to the US Coast Guard, becoming a self-contained residential community with a population of over 3,000. As a cost cutting measure, the Coast Guard closed its facilities and relocated all personnel in 1996. In 2003, the Island was transferred back to the City and State of New York, with a provision that it be used for the public benefit. Today three entities act as stewards and advocates for the Island: The Trust for Governors Island, the National Park Service and the Friends of Governors Island.
We take a moment here to acknowledge the Lenape peoples and other Indigenous caretakers of this Island and its waters; to the elders who have lived here and to the future stewards that may come.
PREVIOUS PROGRAMS
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2024 Spring Residency: Independent Projects
The 2024 Spring Residency program represents the fourth edition of the Independent Project Residency at the Block House, and the first to be held in the Spring.
︎︎︎ Learn More
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2023 Summer Residency: Independent Projects
Six Fellows lived and worked at the Block House for a period of 11 weeks. Fellows represented a range of disciplines including art, architecture, urban design, illustration and history & design education. Fellows participated in a series of public events, a workshop and a series of cohort activities throughout the Summer.
︎︎︎ Learn More
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2023 Fall Residency: Independent Projects
This nine-week Residency brought five Fellows to the Block House. Fellows represented a range of disciplines including art, architecture, urban design, environmental design, and socially engaged practice.
︎︎︎ Learn More
HEAR FROM OUR FELLOWS
Immanuel Oni
2023 Fellow
“As a local creative, it was really beneficial to live on the island and get a different perspective from the city. It also challenged me to focus on a process out of my typical framework and consider other processes/spatial narratives within a natural landscape. I'm also grateful for the flexibility to have taught briefly and in doing so actually helped me finalize a secondary focus for my project, indigenous stories. Though challenging to commute to multiple parts of the city due to ongoing projects/research related to residency interests, I had the flexibility to explore themes and design interests at multiple scales that benefited my overall design deliverables. l feel I wouldn't have made this kind of progress without being in an environment surrounded by other creatives, space, and an energy unique only to the Block House.”
Kevin Hofmann
2023 Fellow
“Anyone looking for time and space to advance ongoing research or consider new questions would be well-served by a stay on Governors Island, as I was privileged to experience for eleven transformative weeks. Participating in a fellowship with access to an endlessly fascinating and edifying city is balanced by day-to-day life on the Island, from participating in the busiest weekend festivals to quiet runs on weekday mornings. The IPA's unique presence among Island stewards and tenants facilitates access to experiences and knowledge that led me to significant personal and philosophical growth. The best programming involved convening with friends of the IPA at dinners, Open [Block] House events, and off-island adventures where friendships were forged by sharing ideas and experiences. Above all, the most important aspect of this experience involved sharing creative works in progress and inviting new forms of dialog focused on process, not outcome.”
Line Algoed
2022 Fellow
“Governors Island and the Block House provide an ideal setting for a highly productive residency. Its peace and quiet, its natural surroundings, even its eeriness, it is an inspiring and wonderful place to work. I used the IPA Summer Residency to progress on the writing of articles for my PhD in Human Geography on land tenure issues in the Caribbean. I had been working on my PhD for 5 years, finished all my fieldwork, but I was quite behind on the writing, thinking that I would need to apply for an extension of my PhD funding. However, when I arrived at the Block House, everything was in place for me to focus fully on my work. I finished more writing in these three and a half months than I did in years. Suddenly, the writing blockages that had been frustrating me were gone. Distance and difference are the secret to creativity, it is said. It helped to be taken out of my daily context, and to spend time away from academia, surrounded by visionary, creative, problem-solving people in arts and architecture.
Governors Island is a place of beauty and creativity. The many other residencies happening on the island, most of them artistic, create a stimulating setting. The weekends are bustling with activity. During the week, the Island is quieter. Every morning I would take a walk, early, to Outlook Hill, and on many of these walks I wouldn’t see any other people, just birds and bees and squirrels, in the middle of New York Harbor. The Island’s nature would baffle me. Often on those walks, I would go down the slides by myself, remembering what it was like to be a bewildered 5 years old. The times that I did see others I had great uplifting chats with people who love the island and take an early ferry for walks or bike rides, or with the gardening or maintenance teams. Each time I left the island for groceries or other NYC activities, I would feel happy to come back on the ferry, chat with the cheerful ferry staff, and then come home to the Block House and my fantastic housemates. Many evenings we spent on the stoops of the Block House, talking about the island, our work and life. In more ways than is possible to describe, these conversations have made their way into my work. The IPA has made this an incredible unforgettable experience, and I enjoyed every second!”
Governors Island is a place of beauty and creativity. The many other residencies happening on the island, most of them artistic, create a stimulating setting. The weekends are bustling with activity. During the week, the Island is quieter. Every morning I would take a walk, early, to Outlook Hill, and on many of these walks I wouldn’t see any other people, just birds and bees and squirrels, in the middle of New York Harbor. The Island’s nature would baffle me. Often on those walks, I would go down the slides by myself, remembering what it was like to be a bewildered 5 years old. The times that I did see others I had great uplifting chats with people who love the island and take an early ferry for walks or bike rides, or with the gardening or maintenance teams. Each time I left the island for groceries or other NYC activities, I would feel happy to come back on the ferry, chat with the cheerful ferry staff, and then come home to the Block House and my fantastic housemates. Many evenings we spent on the stoops of the Block House, talking about the island, our work and life. In more ways than is possible to describe, these conversations have made their way into my work. The IPA has made this an incredible unforgettable experience, and I enjoyed every second!”
Valentina Angelucci
2022 Fellow
“There are few places that one can spend an extended period of time and still feel a sense of awe and wonder just by being there. This is what it was like to live in the Block House on Governors Island. Everyday waking up in our own park, and everynight going to sleep on an island that we share with only six other people and the best view of lower Manhattan. We often felt like we needed to pinch ourselves at the privilege. Life on Governors Island provided a very special and sacred time to write, think, draw and make, with a group of like-minded, intelligent, creative and kind people. It provided us with the freedom and support to bring our ideas to life!
As Fellows of the IPA we had the opportunity and platform to network with people who are experts in their field, and learn from the cumulative knowledge and experience of the IPA Board. Along with the work we were there to do, we also got to enjoy many other fun organized activities over the residency such as dinner parties and bike tours. One of the things I cherish most about the experience was living with great housemates, my fellow Fellows. As a combination of people we were very good together and have become good friends, since working together, eating together, taking care of each other, and of course, book and wine shopping! Our daily conversations at sunset on the stoops were one of my favorite times of day. We often cooked and ate together, and took evening strolls around the island. We also got to build connections with other tenants of the Island, such as gardening with Savona from the West Harlem Art Fund, and tours by the Friends of Governors Island and the National Park Service. This community welcomed us, and it felt great to be a part of them. This was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I will cherish for many years to come. This sabbatical away from the real world to work on our own projects was refreshing and restorative on a personal level, but most importantly I feel like I truly got in touch with my own way of making and designing, and is invaluable in itself!”
As Fellows of the IPA we had the opportunity and platform to network with people who are experts in their field, and learn from the cumulative knowledge and experience of the IPA Board. Along with the work we were there to do, we also got to enjoy many other fun organized activities over the residency such as dinner parties and bike tours. One of the things I cherish most about the experience was living with great housemates, my fellow Fellows. As a combination of people we were very good together and have become good friends, since working together, eating together, taking care of each other, and of course, book and wine shopping! Our daily conversations at sunset on the stoops were one of my favorite times of day. We often cooked and ate together, and took evening strolls around the island. We also got to build connections with other tenants of the Island, such as gardening with Savona from the West Harlem Art Fund, and tours by the Friends of Governors Island and the National Park Service. This community welcomed us, and it felt great to be a part of them. This was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I will cherish for many years to come. This sabbatical away from the real world to work on our own projects was refreshing and restorative on a personal level, but most importantly I feel like I truly got in touch with my own way of making and designing, and is invaluable in itself!”