"Writing is the act of discovery."
- Natalie Goldberg
At our writing retreats, we offer more than just a space to work.
Join us at our (academic) writing retreats, where your writing can flow effortlessly and your projects can come to life. Let this be the time and space where your ideas shine.
Whether you’re an academic, PhD student, or professional, this is your chance to step away from the demands of daily life and dedicate yourself to deep thinking, focused reading and productive writing. Here, you can recharge your energy, find new inspiration, and let original ideas take shape—perhaps even the ground-breaking concepts that will define your next project.
At our writing retreats, we offer more than just a space to work—we create an opportunity to enter a different dimension of time. A time beyond planning and control, fostering a delayed space for your own academic inspiration and reflection. This experience helps you think and write differently, enabling the creation of academic work that is fulfilling, rewarding, and impactful. Read prof. dr. Halleh Ghorashi’s blog about revitalizing the academic inspiration and the importance of delayed space.
Sparring partnership and coaching is available on request. We organise structured writing together sessions. These sessions create a sense of shared purpose, helping you stay focused and energized. Participation is optional.
Results
- Promote qualitative and quantitative output.
- Create long lasting increased academic output
- Undistracted focus in a creative and safe space
- Strengthen your academic identity as a writer and develop a writing discipline
- Embrace the paradox of relaxation and production
- (Re)discover job satisfaction and enjoyment in writing
- Promote creativity and insight into the creative process
- Be part of a ‘creative learning field’ through interaction, exchange and presentations.
- Offer opportunities for (international and interdisciplinary) collaboration.
For Whom
Academics, PhD students and for professionals. These weeks are ideal for spending (part of) your sabbatical, (re-)writing research proposals, working on a book (can also be fiction), conference papers, articles, chapters, inaugural lectures, educational programs, working on joint projects, etc.
For PhD students it is a good opportunity to give a boost to your dissertation in a short period of time. Rediscover that writing a PhD thesis can progress smoothly and is fun.
Daily Schedule
The schedule is flexible and can be adjusted to your needs
- 07.30 – 08.15: Yoga and meditation
- 08.15 – 09.00: Breakfast
- 09.00 – 11.00 : Writing, reading, reflecting, composing
- 11.00 – 11.15 : Break
- 11.15 – 13.00: Writing, reading, reflecting, composing
- 13.00 – 13.45: Lunch
- 13.45 – 14.30 : Relaxing time, walking, swimming, siesta
- 14.30 – 17.00: Writing, reading, reflecting, composing
- 16.00 – 16.15: Break
- 17.00: Subgroup meetings if needed or time to exercise, relax, unwind, swim, walk
- 19.00: Evening dinner
- 20.30: Free time / presentations/ discussion / watching a movie
Online supervision for PhD students and academics
For PhD students and other academics, distance writing supervision can be given during the open retreat weeks. (at costprice) This coaching is provided by Dr. Catherine Brys, who is an experienced, qualified, academic writing coach.
The set-up is fantastic, a good and well thought through balance between highly professional approach and personal touch, structure and flexibility, possibility for sociality and solitude. The setting contributed to enhanced sense of revitalization, centeredness and invigoration, combined with the enjoyment of interacting with inspiring individuals from different countries. Professionally, the stay was amazingly helpful for my writing, in ways that I did not expect and had not experienced before, although this is not my first writing retreat. There was a feeling of magical proliferation of ideas, new connections and analytical points from the first to the last day – I could not stop working – and the work was not exhausting but rather rejuvenating.
Prof. dr. Venka Simovska, Denmark
I came to ARTISA to test whether an idea for a medical textbook that I’ve had for some time would actually be feasible. I was able to outline the project, do the required research and draft two chapters. This would never have happened had I not participated in a writing retreat. The setting was fantastic: lovely spacious rooms, excellent food, and warm and friendly hosts. After the retreat I feel energized and highly motivated to continue the book project. Thank you for this fantastic experience!
Associate Professor Anna Keski-Rahkonen, University of Helsinki, Finland
Truly, I can’t thank you enough for the gift of this week. I have never been so productive in such a period of time. You have created an oasis, a place of possibility, hospitality and care. I will take with me not only the many, many words I wrote, but the inspiration of your example.
Vicky Reitenauer, University of Portland, USA
Artisa is an outstanding place. Celeste does a marvellous job. You get so much work done in one week that you are thinking about your next stay while you are still there. I was simply thrilled. It was a great group, a marvellous place. It is the combination of routine and the feeling of being surrounded by creative people that is most stimulating.
dr. Martin Kaiser, fellow researcher at University of Zurich
I found it incredibly useful to focus on only my book project for one week. The atmosphere was lovely, as was the food, and it was all very flexible. Celeste was available to help as need, but really just let you decide how you worked best. This was really wonderful.
dr. Haley Swedlund, assistant professor Radboud University, Nijmegen
We must thank you for creating this place.There is so much conflict and negativity in the world and here is so much beauty. When you come here, life becomes beautiful. I wrote inspired by the setting and rested myself at the same time.It was an extra-ordinary experience. I have produced my most engaging and important academic texts while allowing delay to free my mind at Artisa.
Prof. dr. Halleh Ghorashi, Professor in Diversity and Integration at the Sociology department, VU University Amsterdam
I found the experience very beneficial again. The retreat with its space for reflection allows an opportunity for deeper concentration and focus, and creativity is stimulated through the enriched environment. I set myself a target of completing the revisions to one paper and working on plans for the introduction and one chapter of my book Not only did I manage to read, write / edit a good amount every day I was also able to really see how the different parts of my paper could be better brought together. Oddly I also found some synergy between my two different projects – things that were not obvious to me previously.
Charlotte Skeet, School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex, UK
You have created a beautiful space to work and think. The approach and set up are perfect! For me the morning yoga, meditation, landscape, swimming and sharing of our projects created the space for inspiration to occur.
Francesca Pomeranz, Salem State University, Massachusetts, USA
This retreat has been an incredibly enriching experience. It offered the perfect blend of structured academic time and peaceful, inspiring surroundings. I left feeling more grounded, focused, and energized to continue my work. The approach was thoughtful and balanced, allowing for deep work sessions as well as opportunities to connect with other participants. It truly nurtured both the academic and personal aspects of the writing process.
Bianca Luna Fabris, European Trade Union Institute, Brussels, Belgium
I enjoyed every part of it: having a work structure, a community of scholars, peace and quiet in an inspiring location, and the great food we shared! Working alongside other scholars, sharing my work and learn from others inspired me.
Maria de Simone, Harvard University, USA
It was a wonderful week. It fulfilled all my expectations for a time-out from a busy professional and personal routine. I was able to “tune out” of the everyday noise and stress and think deeply about my writing project, while feeling cared-for and centred. I completed a couple of writing tasks but was also able to read deeply through other sources and constructively consider the structure of my project. I returned home calmer and more focused. The location is the Perfect balance between luxury and simplicity.
Noa S., Leiden University, NL
The set-up is fantastic, a good and well thought through balance between highly professional approach and personal touch, structure and flexibility, possibility for sociality and solitude. The setting contributed to enhanced sense of revitalization, centeredness and invigoration, combined with the enjoyment of interacting with inspiring individuals from different countries. Professionally, the stay was amazingly helpful for my writing, in ways that I did not expect and had not experienced before, although this is not my first writing retreat. There was a feeling of magical proliferation of ideas, new connections and analytical points from the first to the last day – I could not stop working – and the work was not exhausting but rather rejuvenating.
Prof. dr. Venka Simovska, Denmark
I came to ARTISA to test whether an idea for a medical textbook that I’ve had for some time would actually be feasible. I was able to outline the project, do the required research and draft two chapters. This would never have happened had I not participated in a writing retreat. The setting was fantastic: lovely spacious rooms, excellent food, and warm and friendly hosts. After the retreat I feel energized and highly motivated to continue the book project. Thank you for this fantastic experience!
Associate Professor Anna Keski-Rahkonen, University of Helsinki, Finland
Truly, I can’t thank you enough for the gift of this week. I have never been so productive in such a period of time. You have created an oasis, a place of possibility, hospitality and care. I will take with me not only the many, many words I wrote, but the inspiration of your example.
Vicky Reitenauer, University of Portland, USA
Artisa is an outstanding place. Celeste does a marvellous job. You get so much work done in one week that you are thinking about your next stay while you are still there. I was simply thrilled. It was a great group, a marvellous place. It is the combination of routine and the feeling of being surrounded by creative people that is most stimulating.
dr. Martin Kaiser, fellow researcher at University of Zurich
I found it incredibly useful to focus on only my book project for one week. The atmosphere was lovely, as was the food, and it was all very flexible. Celeste was available to help as need, but really just let you decide how you worked best. This was really wonderful.
dr. Haley Swedlund, assistant professor Radboud University, Nijmegen
We must thank you for creating this place.There is so much conflict and negativity in the world and here is so much beauty. When you come here, life becomes beautiful. I wrote inspired by the setting and rested myself at the same time.It was an extra-ordinary experience. I have produced my most engaging and important academic texts while allowing delay to free my mind at Artisa.
Prof. dr. Halleh Ghorashi, Professor in Diversity and Integration at the Sociology department, VU University Amsterdam
I found the experience very beneficial again. The retreat with its space for reflection allows an opportunity for deeper concentration and focus, and creativity is stimulated through the enriched environment. I set myself a target of completing the revisions to one paper and working on plans for the introduction and one chapter of my book Not only did I manage to read, write / edit a good amount every day I was also able to really see how the different parts of my paper could be better brought together. Oddly I also found some synergy between my two different projects – things that were not obvious to me previously.
Charlotte Skeet, School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex, UK
You have created a beautiful space to work and think. The approach and set up are perfect! For me the morning yoga, meditation, landscape, swimming and sharing of our projects created the space for inspiration to occur.
Francesca Pomeranz, Salem State University, Massachusetts, USA
This retreat has been an incredibly enriching experience. It offered the perfect blend of structured academic time and peaceful, inspiring surroundings. I left feeling more grounded, focused, and energized to continue my work. The approach was thoughtful and balanced, allowing for deep work sessions as well as opportunities to connect with other participants. It truly nurtured both the academic and personal aspects of the writing process.
Bianca Luna Fabris, European Trade Union Institute, Brussels, Belgium
I enjoyed every part of it: having a work structure, a community of scholars, peace and quiet in an inspiring location, and the great food we shared! Working alongside other scholars, sharing my work and learn from others inspired me.
Maria de Simone, Harvard University, USA
It was a wonderful week. It fulfilled all my expectations for a time-out from a busy professional and personal routine. I was able to “tune out” of the everyday noise and stress and think deeply about my writing project, while feeling cared-for and centred. I completed a couple of writing tasks but was also able to read deeply through other sources and constructively consider the structure of my project. I returned home calmer and more focused. The location is the Perfect balance between luxury and simplicity.
Noa S., Leiden University, NL
