Hello and welcome!
We are so excited that you will be in residence on Ryder Farm this season!
Below you’ll find vital information to help you prepare, including our COVID-19 policies, travel information, what to pack, what to expect during your time onsite, resident requirements while at SPACE, and other helpful details.
We would appreciate if you could spend time reading and digesting this entire packet before you arrive.
If you have any questions about its contents, please don’t hesitate to contact SPACE’s Programs Manager, Nathan Baron Silvern(nathan@spaceonryderfarm.org).
In order to allow our team ample time to prepare for your arrival, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page at least three weeks prior to the start of your residency.
ABOUT SPACE
SPACE was established for artists by artists with a simple philosophy: artists need time and space to do what they do best—create. Since our founding in 2011, artists, innovators, and changemakers have come to SPACE to do their most important work.
Through unique residency programs designed to serve artists of all stripes, social activists, nonprofit organizations, and parent-artists with their children, SPACE has welcomed over 1,550 residents; mentored more than 75 young professionals through fellowship and internship programs; and developed a national reputation as one of the most sought-after residency programs in the country. Through our intentional approach to arts and agriculture, SPACE on Ryder Farm provides a place to create, recharge, and commune.
2023 COVID-19 Policies
SPACE has prepared extensively for a residency program that is both safe and restorative. We have conducted in-depth peer research, consulted local health officials, and are adhering to federal and state guidelines as we continue to welcome artists to Ryder Farm.
Once you arrive on the farm on the first day you will take a rapid test before entering the residence. After that, you will be free to be maskless indoors for the duration of your residency. SPACE team members will also rapid test before your arrival on the first day.
In addition to standard housekeeping procedures, SPACE has contracted a local cleaning company that will thoroughly sanitize spaces between each residency.
In the event of an exposure to COVID-19 onsite, residents must self-monitor their 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 for 5 to 10 days (depending on CDC and state guidelines). All meals will be provided during this 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.
BEFORE YOUR RESIDENCY
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 fall residencies, we strongly encourage you to pack warmly.
A suggested packing list:
personal face mask(s)
personal reusable water bottle
house shoes or slippers
bathrobe or similar (bathrooms are communal)
waterproof boots (or similar) that you don’t mind getting muddy
warm clothes for chilly evenings
rain gear
rugged shoes for hiking/walking around
sunglasses and/or hat for sun protection
swimsuit and beach towel (for summer months)
flip-flops (for summer months)
toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, bath soap, etc.)
electronics chargers and USB adapters
snacks for between meals, and/or alcohol (as desired)
wireless speaker for personal use (as desired)
headphones/earbuds
The following will be provided to you:
bed linens
one waffle towel, one bath towel, one bath sheet, assorted washcloths
bug spray
sunscreen
hand sanitizer
basic office supplies (pens, Post-its, paper clips, tape, etc.)
Pet Policy
Although we love animals, we cannot accommodate your pets at SPACE. If you have a service animal, please contact Nathan Baron Silvern, SPACE’s Programs Manager at nathan@spaceonryderfarm.org
THE RESIDENCY
Travel to Ryder Farm
Residents will travel by train via Metro North to the Brewster Station or by car to Ryder Farm.
Train Travel:
If you plan to take the train from NYC, you will be riding the 9:51 AM off-peak ($15 fare) Harlem Line train from Grand Central Terminal toward Southeast.
The trip takes approximately 90 minutes, and Brewster is the second-to-last stop on the line. You must be in one of the first four train cars in order to disembark in Brewster.
A SPACE team member will greet you at the entrance of the Brewster train station at 11:15 AM and drive you to Ryder Farm (approximately 7 minutes). We ask that residents please wear masks on public transportation.
Car Travel:
If you are driving, the best address to plug into your GPS is 406 Starr Ridge Road, Brewster, NY 10509. Look for the white Ryder Farm sign, turn onto our long gravel driveway, and park on the grass lot to your left alongside the other vehicles. A SPACE team member will greet you outside. Please allow time for traffic and plan to arrive no later than 11:30 AM.
First Day Schedule:
Upon arrival, we will share in a communal lunch, before having a quick residency orientation and tour of the property.
We ask that you please refrain from scheduling any virtual commitments between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on the first day of your residency.
You will also be asked to read and sign a resident compact. This document outlines how we ask you to show respect for each other, our team, the land, and the residency. Please preview our compact HERE.
Campus
The original Ryder Family homestead, the Sycamores, is a beautifully rustic house dating back to the 18th century. In 2023, the interior of the Sycamores will be used entirely as housing and offices for the SPACE team. However, residents are encouraged to occupy the porches, hammocks, and backyard of the house during your stay.
SPACE’s other housing structure, Kay Hall, was built in 1983 and will serve as resident housing and the hub of your residency. Kay Hall is equipped with bedrooms, communal bathrooms (with showers and hot water), air conditioning, and heat. While inside Kay Hall, you are welcome to be unmasked. When dining outside is not possible, meals are served in Kay Hall’s main room.
SPACE has ample work spaces both indoors and out. There are writing desks in each resident bedroom, and Kay Hall’s large common room is frequently a shared work space amongst artists and the SPACE team. Additionally, residents are invited to work in the Garage, the Barn, and our converted Chicken Coop. If you’d prefer to work outside, there is an outdoor stage on the Bowling Green, an open-air gazebo, Kay Hall’s sun deck, a lakeside dock with a picnic table, and various porches. You are also welcome to wander the farm until you find a nook that catches your eye!
Learn more about our indoor and outdoor workspaces HERE.
Bedrooms
Each private bedroom includes a bed dressed with clean linens, a writing desk, and a desk chair. Each desk has a lamp, as well as some reading materials for your enjoyment. All rooms also have a yoga mat and block, a laundry hamper, an umbrella, bedside alarm clock, multiple outlets, and at least one bedside lamp. All bedrooms can be locked from the inside.
Farm GUIDELINES
Quiet hours on Ryder Farm for all indoor residential spaces and outdoor spaces (including the Garage, Barn, Chicken Coop, lakeside dock area, and surrounding grounds) begin at 10:00 PM nightly.
There is absolutely no smoking or vaping in any of the structures on Ryder Farm or on any decks, patios, or porches. You may only smoke or vape outside in a designated area. (You will be shown where the smoking area is during your initial farm tour.) Please dispose of cigarette butts safely.
No open flames are allowed in any of the structures on Ryder Farm. This includes the burning of incense and candles (although if candles or incense are integral to your spiritual or artistic practices, we will do our best to accommodate that).
No fires are allowed in the fireplaces except when tended to by authorized SPACE team members.
Please keep indoor furniture indoors. If an outdoor space is lacking seating or writing surfaces, please let us know and we’ll try our best to find something for you.
SPACE vehicles are not available for resident use. If you need a ride in the golf cart or need to run an errand, please let us know.
For your safety, no swimming or canoeing after dark.
SPACE is not responsible for the animals on the property. As such, please do not feed the horses or sheep or enter their pens. Photos are welcome though!
The use of illegal drugs is not permitted on SPACE campus. (Please see bullet 2 for smoking areas)
Wi-Fi and Printing
There is wireless Internet access throughout Kay Hall and the Sycamores. There is no Internet access provided in the Barn, Gazebo, or Chicken Coop. Network IDs and passwords will be posted in each resident bedroom, as well as throughout Kay Hall.
Residents will have access to a printer in Kay Hall. However, SPACE strongly believes in reducing waste, and we encourage you to use laptops/tablets in lieu of printing whenever possible.
Ticks and Poison Ivy
Ticks are an unfortunate seasonal reality throughout much of the Northeast, and you may encounter them during your time on the farm. Ticks are likely not to spread disease if they are caught within 36 to 48 hours of attaching themselves to you. To avoid risk, protect yourself daily with tick repellant when spending time outside for an extended period of time. Wear appropriate clothing that covers your arms and legs entirely when spending time in wooded areas or fields. We also strongly recommend checking your body each night for any tick stowaways (we will go over this procedure during your farm tour). Tick repellant and illustrated info sheets will be provided upon arrival, and SPACE teams available should you have questions or concerns during your stay.
Additionally, both poison ivy and poison oak can be found on Ryder Farm. We encourage you to use caution when interacting with plants that look unfamiliar to you, especially along our walking trails or in less-landscaped areas onsite. If you suspect you have come into contact with poison oak or poison ivy, please alert a team member right away and they will help you administer treatment. An info sheet with additional tips can also be found in your bedroom.
MEALS AND FOOD
SPACE’s Food Program
Throughout your residency, food and beverages will be prepared onsite and served in Kay Hall. Communal meals at SPACE provide nourishment, camaraderie, and a sense of structure for each day. We ask that you attend every meal in a timely manner.
Meals are served at the following times:
Breakfast - 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lunch - 12:00 PM
Dinner - 6:00 PM (when weather permits, dinner is often set up for outdoor dining)
Breakfast options are self-serve, and can be found in Kay Hall’s Resident fridge or on the kitchen counter. Breakfast items will be put away by 10:30 AM.
Lunch options are served buffet-style, and set up on the kitchen counter or directly on the dining room table in Kay Hall’s main room. Lunch items are put away by 1:00 PM.
Dinner is served family-style, and will be set up either outdoors (weather permitting) or on the dining room table in Kay Hall’s main room. SPACE team members may occasionally join residents for dinner.
While there are no printed or pre-set menus, you are very much encouraged to make food requests and provide feedback before or during your time at SPACE.
Residents do not have private kitchen access for cooking, prepping, or assembling personal meals/snacks. You can, however, use the microwave to heat up leftovers any time you’d like. (Leftovers can be found in the Resident fridge, which will be shown to you during your initial group tour.)
SPACE takes all necessary precautions in our kitchens and culinary prep areas when it comes to food safety and sanitation. We regularly monitor updates and guidelines from the CDC, WHO, and ServSafe.
Snacks, Alcohol, and Sweets
While scratch-made desserts are in steady rotation on SPACE menus, please note that we do not serve dessert every day, and we do not serve wine or beer with meals. There is, however, a coffee and tea station in Kay Hall that is maintained throughout each day.
If you'd like to stock up on between-meal snacks or sweets, Instacart and Grubhub offer delivery within the hour to SPACE from area supermarkets and convenience stores. Grubhub offers delivery from a large and varied selection of regional restaurants. Instacart also offers beer, wine, and spirits for delivery.
You will have 24/7 access to a designated Resident pantry area and full-sized Resident fridge to store your personal food and beverages.
If you snack in your rooms, please be mindful of crumbs, open packaging, uncovered wastebaskets, and anything else that might attract flies or other critters. Pest management is a constant battle when living/working on a farm! We work hard to maintain clean and safe living quarters for guests and SPACE team members. Please avoid storing food, candy, or snacks in bedrooms or common areas for this reason.
Food Philosophy
Our culinary ethos is rooted in the following practices:
Plant-forward and pantry-inspired. Lots of vegetables, as often as possible. Our emphasis is on hyper-local produce (from Ryder Farm), as well as sustainability, availability, and seasonality.
Very little to no waste. We continuously repurpose leftovers, and often utilize stems and scraps in our meals before composting.
Practical, not performative. Resident meals at SPACE don't revolve around a chef's ego, trendy ingredients, or what looks good in a photo. We cook for sustenance, nutrient density, fun, and deliciousness.
Radical hospitality at the table and on the plate. We believe in cultivating a sense of abundance and generosity at mealtimes. Servings are always plentiful, and the mood is always welcoming and inclusive.
Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
SPACE takes dietary restrictions and food allergies very seriously. While we do frequently serve meats, poultry, and eggs, we are very comfortable with vegetarian and vegan diets. We can also easily accommodate dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free diets.
SPACE is not be able to accommodate individuals with extremely sensitive nut allergies; celiac disease; or any similar instance in which cross-contamination cannot occur because of medical risk. Due to our limited facilities, we cannot offer fully kosher meals.
Residents with severe allergies or other dietary concerns are encouraged to directly contact Min Liao, SPACE's Culinary Director min@spaceonryderfarm.org. She is happy to discuss more complex needs, and will make every attempt to accommodate requests.
THE END OF YOUR RESIDENCY
THE SHARING
On the final day of your residency, we ask that you share (in no more than 15 minutes) how you’ve spent your time at SPACE. This sharing is not open to the public, but is open to the SPACE team unless your cohort collectively chooses a closed sharing (in which case only one team member will attend in order to facilitate).
We encourage you to use your allotted sharing time in a way that is most useful to you. Some residents share snippets of their writing, music, or art; some reflect on their ongoing process; some share action plans or lesson plans; and some share discoveries they made during their time on the farm.
This sharing is entirely informal and self-determined—a chance for you to show your cohort what you’ve been working on. Residents are welcome to ask for feedback from the group after their presentation, but this is not required. Programs Manager Nathan Baron Silvern will provide further details about the sharing during your residency.
Departure
On the final day of your residency, lunch will be served after the resident sharing, and all residents must depart no later than 3:00 PM.
If you drove yourself, please plan on leaving by 3:00 PM. If you traveled via Metro North, a SPACE team member will drive you to the Brewster train station after lunch for the 3:04 PM train arriving in Grand Central around 4:30 PM.