Yaddo Announces Temporary Closing in Response to COVID-19

March 13, 2020

The Corporation of Yaddo, the artist residency based in Saratoga Springs, New York, announced it would close temporarily due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “In accordance with recommendations from public health officials and the CDC, the Yaddo Executive Committee made this difficult decision to keep our visiting artists, staff, and community safe,” said President Elaina Richardson. “At this time we have no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Yaddo, but we are taking preemptive action in order to play our part in slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable populations.”

Yaddo welcomes nearly 300 artists per year from around the world in its mission to provide artists the opportunity to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Currently the closure affects only artists in residence at Yaddo now and those due to arrive in April and May. Artists currently at Yaddo will be assisted with early departures and guests due to arrive will be rescheduled if at all possible after the crisis has lessened. 

“We have been closely monitoring the developing situation and have been in touch with state and local health officials, as well as our colleagues at other residency programs,” added Ms. Richardson. “While Yaddo has never seen an interruption of this length in its nearly 100 years of service to artists, it has now become apparent that closing altogether is the responsible course of action from a public health standpoint. As always, the well-being of our artists is at the forefront of our decision making. We will also work with our community to see what we might do to help offset financial hardship caused to artists by the shutdown.”

All immediately upcoming Yaddo public and private events are currently cancelled. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Yaddo will continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and make a decision about reopening the residency program as the situation evolves. Further details will be shared with our community via email, social media, and on our website at yaddo.org. Please follow us on Facebook @yaddocommunity, Twitter @yaddotoday, and Instagram @yaddotoday for the latest updates as well as news from our artist community.