About the house

Forty years ago Canadian author Sharon Butala initiated the dream of Wallace Stegner's childhood home in Eastend becoming a place of inspiration for writers and artists. By 1990 the house was purchased and restored and heritage status was granted. Since its opening thirty years ago over 300 writers and artists have found, and continue to find, inspiration inside those fabled walls located in the Cypress Hills surrounded by the last remaining Grasslands. Indeed, writers and artists have come from almost every major Canadian city as well as many international locations.

Eastend Arts Council, a not for profit charitable corporation run by a volunteer board,  has owned and operated the house since its inception. The Council and the community of Eastend (population 607) have entirely funded Wallace Stegner House with a vision to help art and culture flourish in our country.

Wallace Stegner House, situated on the banks of the Frenchman River, provides a quiet and attractive environment in the fully furnished, self-contained home. Every effort is made to ensure a disturbance free stay.

Diversity statement

The Wallace Stegner House is committed to the inclusion of residents with diverse voices and experiences. In acknowledging the historical and systemic barriers encountered by some people in our society, we strongly encourage all eligible applicants to apply.

About the Residency Program

Artists and writers from around the world are invited to create and explore the land from Wallace Stegner’s historic childhood home as part of a one month residency program.

Writers, visual and performing artists from around the world are invited to apply for this residency.

• Writers must have had their work published; visual and performing artists their work in a public show or gallery to qualify for residency.

• The cost of a one month residency is $500. A $250 nonrefundable payment is due upon acceptance to the residency program. The remainder is due upon arrival.

• Conditions of this residency require that the artist give a community presentation we call Under the Roof. This can be a reading, small art exhibition, talk about their work or life, or a presentation to students at the local school.

• Applications are due by September 1st for the following calendar year.

About the Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts

This Grant consists of a $500 grant and one month free residency. View past Grant for the Arts recipients here. This Grant is made possible by the generosity of the W. Garfield Weston Foundation and the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must have Canadian citizenship.

• Applicants must be published writers (self-publication does not qualify)

Conditions of the grant require the successful applicant to give a public reading and provide one workshop/reading for Eastend’s K-12 School, while in residency. Should your stay occur when school is not in session then a youth focused workshop or reading event would be expected, but not in association with the school.

The grant selection committee appreciates an applicant’s:

• Knowledge about, or connection to, Wallace Stegner and his legacy through Stegner’s writing or through his passion for the land and the environment

• Knowledge about, or connection to, the geography of the Eastend/Cypress Hills area

• Ways in which they hope to enrich community through their residency

We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to apply:

• Confirmation of receipt of your application will be provided by email. Please watch for this.

• The committee will contact each applicant as to the success of their application.

• Deadline for submissions is April 30 annually for the following calendar year’s Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts Residency. The recipient will be selected and notified by May 21. The successful applicant  will confirm their willingness to accept the Wallace Stegner Grant and will confirm their choice of residency month for the following calendar year (Jan-Dec) by June 4th. ( Typically all months are available but this will be at the discretion of the Eastend Arts Council)