This page includes the following sections:
About the Artist Residencies
FAQ
Pictures
ABOUT THE ARTIST RESIDENCIES
Casa Uno will house two residencies in 2027. Each residency will be 3 weeks in length and are for a team of three people collaborating on the same project. Of particular interest are theatre/musical theatre projects, film projects, dance projects and book collaborations. Dates are flexible and will be scheduled between April 15 and November 15. If you are interested in applying please have one member of your team email Casa Uno’s director, JoAnne Tucker, (joannetuckerart@gmail.com) with a description of your project and if it looks like a fit she will send you a link to applications to formally apply. Each member of the team will then fill out their own application and describe their role in the collaboration. Deadline for applications is November 30, 2026. Zoom interviews will be held during the month of January 2027.
Example of past successful team collaborations:
Musical theatre team working on a musical on the life of Coretta Scott King. The team had begun working on the project while in a musical theatre program and this provided them with an opportunity to continue working on it.
Three University professors (one from the University of Michigan and the other two from Universities in Brazil) working on second book of prompts inspired by prompts from incarcerated individuals who responded to the first book.
Please only apply if you are a serious team of three collaborators working on the same project and have already begun work. This is not for three people who know each other and want to have time here to see what might develop.
Some comments from the guest book:
“This visit continued my experience of growth as an artist in an environment created by JoAnne that offered peace, thoughtfulness, beauty, nature, magical energy, a connection to life in a multitude of forms.”
“Another manuscript is complete.”
“What a wonderful stay and I wish you and your residents many wonderful, productive stays.”
“The property is inspiringly beautiful.”
“What a rich and productive 3 weeks it has been.”
“May others benefit from time spent in this magical place as much as I have.”
Casa Uno is pleased to be listed in an article in Art and Object as one of 10 Inspiring Artist Residencies.
Link to a recent interview with JoAnne Tucker, the owner/director of Casa Uno in WOW – Women on Writing.
Located in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, the residency takes place on a beautiful property that provides an opportunity for one to three artists simultaneously to have meaningful interactions and stimulating discussions while pursuing their own individual projects in an inspiring natural setting. There is no fee to apply and no fee for the residency. Artists provide their own food by cooking in a shared kitchen, They are also responsible for their own transportation to Costa Rica and local transportation in Costa Rica.
On the last Saturday of the residency, the team will be asked to share what they have done during the residency (or earlier related work) with members of the local community.
Facility
Each artist is provided with a private room and bath. Two of the rooms are in the shared main house. One has a king bed and the other a queen bed. A separate casita has a bedroom with twin beds and a full kitchen. The kitchen in the casita is shared with the other artists.
There are no separate studios. Each bedroom has a desk and a work table which can be moved to common areas or kept in the bedroom. This residency is not for an artist who needs a separate studio in addition to the private room. There is not a dance studio although the main house has open space. There is a covered porch area facing the garden that provides excellent work space as well as common areas in the main house and casita. There are a lots of beautiful areas on the property to spend time painting, writing or just reflecting!
This is a no-smoking property, both inside and outside! There is good internet.
While parking is available for two cars, cars are not recommended, as rentals are expensive. Taxi service and Uber is easily arranged and very reasonable. Arrangements are made for residents for transportation to and from the airport, food shopping on the Wednesday and Farmer’s Market on Thursday afternoon following arrival. There is lovely outdoor space to work in and a pool to relax in.
There is a unique labyrinth to enjoy, use as a meditation, or ponder the next step in your creative process. Ronald Esquivel designed the labyrinth for this property with the creative process in mind. We call it Camina del Artista!
While there are snakes in Costa Rica, we have rarely had any on the property. There are bugs of various kinds, and having a good bug repellent is helpful. Sunscreen is also recommended. It is best to bring bug repellent and sunscreen with you, as they are expensive here.
A welcoming dinner and/or breakfast will be provided. The rest of the food is the responsibility of each participant and the full kitchen in the casita is ideal for making meals. Cooperating and working together on meals is encouraged. There are two dining tables as well as outdoor eating areas. We are located less than 10 minutes by car from the center of town which has good restaurants. Taxis can easily be arranged for meals out or shopping. There are several restaurants that deliver as well as other prepared food options.
There will be two residencies offered for collaborating teams in 2027 with flexible dates between April 15th and November 15. To begin the application process email JoAnne with a brief description of the team’s collaborative process. (joannetuckerart@gmail.com)
Staff:
JoAnne: Owner of the property and living full time in the main house. JoAnne has been engaged in the arts throughout her life. She studied dance at Juilliard and has a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Wisconsin. When she retired from directing the Avodah Dance Ensemble, she began painting and founded a documentary film company, Healing Voices – Personal Stories focused on domestic violence. If you would like to know more about JoAnne please visit her blog “about” page.
Oscar: a miniature poodle who loves to be played with and thinks the property totally belongs to him. (If you aren’t comfortable with a playful dog then this won’t be an appropriate residency.)
There is no fee for the residency. There is a fee for airport pick up and return and that is usually $55 each way.
Common areas are cleaned regularly. Cleaning supplies are available for your use for your private room/bathroom. Linen and towels are provided. A laundry facility is available in town.
The participating artist is responsible for travel to and from Costa Rica. The San Jose (SJO) airport is about 35 minutes from Atenas.
Artists should bring all supplies and materials needed for their creative project to ensure availability of what they need. JoAnne has a printer and keeps a supply of paper and ink available. If you plan on printing more than a few pages, then you will need to make arrangements with JoAnne and contribute toward the cost of paper and ink.
This residency is for the artist only and there is no space for spouses, partners, or children, unless they are part of the collaborating team and fill out a full application, and are seriously committed to working on the project.
Each artist should have some kind of health insurance that covers them while in Costa Rica. There are good hospitals and doctors about a half hour away and emergency care close by.
On the last Saturday of the residency, the team shares what they have been doing with members of the local community. These informal presentations are very much appreciated.
If you have any questions, please email JoAnne at: joannetuckerart@gmail.com
FAQ
What Makes a winning application: A well written and edited response to each question. Your best example of your writing, artwork, or video. Please do not send a full script or book or if you must indicate the 5 pages you want JoAnne and the committee to read. Professional references. No application moves forward to be reviewed until it is complete with references, resume, sample of work, and answers to each question.
My Partner or Spouse wants to come with me but is not an artist: This is not an appropriate program for a spouse or partner to join you. This is an opportunity for you, an artist , to give undivided attention to your project. Have your spouse or partner join you before or afterwards and enjoy sightseeing in Costa Rica at that time.
Can I bring my three year old child? The facility is not equipped to handle children. Again, this is an opportunity for you to spend uninterrupted time on a project.
Is this only for very advanced artists: This is for seriously committed teams who are use to working intensively on projects. You might consider yourself an emerging team or are an established professional. This is not for a team who wants to do a little art each day combined with sightseeing.
What is the main language of the residency: English is the main language for the community sharing and to communicate with JoAnne who does have some Spanish,
I want to sightsee and explore Costa Rica: The 20 days of residency are for your team to work on your project. While there are breaks into town and sometimes a special event occurs that residents go to, this is a period to focus on your project. Come a few days early or stay after the residency to sightsee in Costa Rica.
Some additional Pictures
Queen Room in the Main House
King Room in Main House
Casita
Outdoor space waiting for an art project
