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.
How to stay at Wallace Stegner House?
Artists have 3 separate and unique ways to apply to stay at Wallace Stegner House. We have 2 Grant Programs available, the Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts and the Big Flat Folk Fest Songwriters Grant, that provide the winner with a free month long stay and a $500 Grant. These 2 grant programs are open to Canadian Citizens only.
We also accept applications to our Wallace Stegner Residency Program which is open to both Canadian and International applicants with a cost of $750 for the month long stay. Please review the full details below for all 3 programs - qualified applicants are eligible to apply for any that are of interest and can apply to all three simultaneously.
About the Wallace Stegner Residency Program
Writers, Artists and Musicians 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 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. Musicians must have professionally produced work available for review.
The cost of a one month residency is $750. A $375 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 every September 30th for the following calendar year. Applicants are advised by October 31st if they are successful.
About the Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts
This Grant consists of a $500 grant and one month free residency. 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 September 30th, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by October 31st.
Photo Credit: Hannah Bel Davis
About the Big Flat Folk Fest Songwriters Grant
In 2024, Eastend Arts Council launched the Big Flat Folk Fest to be held annually in Eastend each July. This festival is focused on bringing the best songwriting and storytelling to the scenic Frenchman Valley for a weekend of celebration. This Grant was established to ensure the festival provides lasting benefit and support for the songwriting community in Saskatchewan and across Canada. This Grant consists of a $500 grant and one month free residency.
Eligibility:
This grant is open to Canadian Songwriters aged 19+ with a professional practice. Artists can be at any stage of their career (emerging, mid-career, established) and equal consideration will be given to all musical genres.
Priority is provided for songwriters from Western Canada and artists must have an established focus on lyric-based songwriting. Songwriting duos are welcome to apply, trios and groups are not eligible because of limited accommodations available. We encourage applications from songwriters from all backgrounds and communities.
Application deadline is September 30th, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by October 31st.
Overview: This program is intended to provide the successful candidate with space and focused time to concentrate on their own artistic development and songwriting. Both private rehearsal space and limited equipment may be available to use during the residency - please include those requests with the initial application. Applications should include an overview of their planned project or focus during the month-long residency.
Selection Process: A Selection Committee, made up of Eastend Arts Council Members and members of the local music community, will assess applications based on the following criteria:
Suitability of proposed self-directed work to the available facilities and environment.
Originality and suitability of the presented outreach activity to the community
Demonstrated professional practice.
Artistic work that resonates with our selection committee.
Expectations: Residency participants are expected to spend their entire month in Eastend (and area) to actively work on their craft. In addition we ask that the grant winner:
Perform one public concert;
Facilitate one outreach activity such as a talk, presentation, or workshop to promote interaction, engagement, and/or professional development within the community;
Be approachable, participatory, considerate, and culturally respectful; Be willing to exchange, share ideas and knowledge, and learn from and with the community;
Structure their time based on their own artistic goals, with consideration for the required public performance and outreach activity.
Note on Accessibility
Eastend, Saskatchewan is a beautiful, wild, and remote place. Please note there is no bus service to the town. The nearest airports are Medicine Hat, AB (281 km away), Regina, SK (382 km away), and Calgary, AB (511 km away). Transportation to and from the town is the responsibility of the resident.
Also note that Wallace Stegner House is not accessible for those with significant mobility concerns.
PHOTO CREDIT: Hannah Bel Davis, previous Wallace Stegner House Resident