Writing Retreat for Academics, PhD students and other professionals

Spring 2024
04/05 May – 19 May | 09 June – 23 June. Still one spot available 16-23 June

Autumn 2024
21 Sept – 05 Oct | 20 Oct -27 Oct  1 | 2 Weeks or 10 days

Our writing retreats for academics, PhD students and other professionals offer you the possibility to concentrate on thinking, reading and writing in a sustained way, to recharge your battery, and to gain new inspiration. For individuals and groups. Let original new ideas be born, maybe even ground-breaking ideas for new projects, and your writing flow.

Read prof. dr. Halleh Ghorashi’s personal blog about revitalizing the academic inspiration and her experiences with our academic writing retreats.

Or read Lu-Hai Liang’s blog about working on his first book at Artisa. He is a young British-Chinese journalist and writer and has been published widely in The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Aljazeera, Daily Telegraph, and The Independent, among others.

These weeks are ideal for spending (part of) your sabbatical, (re-)writing research proposals, working on a book, conference papers, articles, chapters, inaugural lectures, educational programs, working on joint projects, etc.

Sparring partnership and coaching on request. We organise structured writing together sessions, which participants experience as very inspiring and motivating. Participation is optional.

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
08.30 – 09.00: Breakfast
09.00 – 11.00 : Writing, reading, reflecting, composing
11.00 – 11.15 : Break
11.15 – 13.15: Writing, reading, reflecting, composing
13.15 – 14.00: Lunch
14.00 – 15.00 : Relaxing time, walking, swimming, siesta
15.00 – 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
19.30: Evening dinner
21.00: Free time / presentations/ discussion / watching a movie

Dissertation writing week

We also organise our Dissertation writing week for PhD candidates, with tailor made coaching. In spring 2024 from 19th to 26th May (= fully booked) by dr. Frank Leoné and from 09th to 16th June (= fully booked) by dr. Heleen van Luijn.

New 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. For more information click here.

Feel free to send us an e-mail if you would like to get more info about the program and/or distance coaching.

Some reviews
For more reviews click here.

‘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. I also enjoyed the stimulating companionship and walks on the beach and in the village. Writing can be a tough and lonely activity. The unique atmosphere at ARTISA made everything so much easier! After the retreat I feel energized and highly motivated to continue the book project. Thank you Celeste and everyone else for this fantastic experience!’ Associate professor, dr. Anna Keski-Rahkonen

‘Great week. This is the best combination of working in a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere and at the same time making significant progress with writing. The approach and set-up are perfect. The social context is great as well – you can be on your own or join others – no pressure either way. Everyone is extremely well taken care of.’ Prof. dr. B. Leyendecker, Professor Ruhr University, Bochem, Germany

‘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.

‘At ARTISA I worked on a new philosophy book for a general audience. In Dutch. Great language for the kind of book I write. I experienced such a great possibility to focus on my work and stayed full of energy at the same time.’ Prof. Dr. J. Bransen

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