Our mission: offering free residencies and retreats for single mothers & others.
The Old Knitting Factory exists to support single mothers and other twice-marginalized single parents. Here’s how you can apply for a retreat and support our work.
Applications for our next residency are now closed; applications received after the deadline will be applied toward our next opening.
Inspired by the work of The Nap Ministry, adrienne maree brown’s Pleasure Activism, and The Mae House, I am offering it as a rest residency, meaning that you don’t have to be an artist to apply; you just have to be a single mom (or other twice-marginalized single parent) who could use some rest. And couldn’t we all?
You’ll have use of our residency space for any week of your choosing, and you are welcome to bring your children or not, as best suits your needs. The space features a double bed, fold-out single bed, futon, and pack-and-play crib. The resident will receive a €250 cash stipend toward childcare costs, to use at your discretion.
Nominations on behalf of other people will not be accepted; this is the one major change I'm making from last year's residency, when I saw several applicants ask friends to nominate them instead of feeling able to apply themselves. As a single parent myself, I have learned how hard and how powerful it is to acknowledge in writing that you need and deserve support.
Applications are open until April 4, 2023, and the recipient will be notified by June 1.
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I created this space because it was the kind of support I longed for so much when I became a single parent, and the kind of support I still long for. There will be as many residencies in the knitting factory's future as I can offer while maintaining the business and the space.
You can help me maximize the number of free residencies I can offer here in the following ways:
Book a stay here! All single parents are welcome to book a stay with us on a sliding scale; just make a booking request at the link above and let us know what you’re able to pay, and we will make it happen. For the general public our residency space is currently listed at €60 per night, with discounts for monthly, weekly, or early-bird bookings. Paid stays help this space function and support the funded residencies we are working to offer.
Join us for online retreats. All retreats are free for single parents using the code SINGLEPARENT, and paid places do so much to support our work here.
Donate to our crowdfund or support us on Patreon; this is one of the best ways to help!
Tell people about the Old Knitting Factory! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram and share your own posts
about us. This project only exists because of its community of supporters, and spreading the word about our work here is one of the most helpful things you can do (and it's free!).
Thank you so much again for your interest in the Old Knitting Factory. We hope and believe these are only the first of many residencies we can offer you in the years and decades to come.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Single mothers and other twice-marginalised single parents from anywhere in the world are welcome to apply.
For the purpose of the funded residency we define a single parent as someone who is actively parenting children without a partner in the majority of their day-to-day life. Divorced, separated, widowed, foster parents, guardians, and single parents by choice are welcome to apply so long as they are active, primary parents in their
children’s lives.
We define a twice-marginalised single parent as a single parent who
also faces systemic marginalisation due to factors including but not
limited to race, class, sexuality, gender, income, immigration status,
or ability.
How does the childcare stipend work?
At this time, we offer a stipend for the recipient to use at their discretion, either to pay for childcare at home if they choose to come by themselves, or to pay for childcare locally if they bring their children here. Our insurance does not currently cover offering our own childcare officially on-site, although we hope this will change in the future.
Are travel costs included?
No, travel costs are not included. However, I would be happy to help share a travel fundraiser for the recipient; crowdfunding is how this space happened, after all!
Should I bring my kids?
It’s up to you! Every single parent’s situation is different, which is why we want to make this retreat as flexible as possible. The retreat space currently features a double bed, fold-out single bed, futon, and pack-and-play crib. As a single parent myself, I understand why recipients would like to take some time away from their children, as well as why they’d like to bring them! That’s why it’s important to me to leave it up to you.
Can partnered parents who feel like single parents apply?
Part of single parenthood is facing the stigma that comes with that
label. If you are a partnered parent who feels that a free two-week
holiday would provide you with more benefits than your partner does, we encourage you to leave them and then apply!
In seriousness: I came out of an abusive marriage, and I know that leaving is never easy, and sometimes impossible. If you are experiencing any kind of intimate partner abuse, I hope you will contact your local domestic violence center; mine offered me crucial help.
Ongoing support is crucial to the work we do here.