Creative Retreats for the New Year

We’re well into 2015 and everyone has made—and many have already broken—their New Year’s resolutions. We chalk up the failures, placing the blame on boring, unrealistic resolutions. If that’s the case, why don’t we commit only to resolutions we want to keep?

I’ve set a goal to learn more things this year—both professionally and for fun. What better way to learn something than by going on a focused retreat to somewhere new and exciting? Browse through this list of upcoming retreats for creative professionals and make a resolution to hone your skills, let your creative juices flow, and learn something new through immersion in 2015 and beyond.

Aspiring and experienced authors and agents gather along the shores of Monterey, CA for this writers retreat. Most recent: OCTOBER 2014

Part exploration and part artistic journey, The Arctic Circle Retreat pairs those from the scientific, architectural, activist, and creative communities aboard a ship in the Arctic Circle. Summer and Autumn 2015 sessions

This artists’ colony in Banff provides a secluded getaway with working spaces for writers, musicians, and creatives from many disciplines. YEAR-ROUND

This retreat space for writers and artists is on the grounds of a monastery. “Writing Your Life” MAY 2015

This resort and spa in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers creative retreats, focusing on inner creativity, movement, meditation, writing, and artwork. ONGOING

This retreat center in Arkansas offers daily retreat rentals for those wishing to foster their creativity individually or with a group. ONGOING

This creative retreat for writers and photographers will be held in the Ozarks. OCTOBER 2015

The Writers Retreat Workshop is held over eight days in Bandera, Texas and offers lots of 1-on-1 opportunities with established writers and agents. MAY 2015

Nestled in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe Workshops holds classes and retreats, focusing on the digital arts and photography. ONGOING

If you’re into scrapbooking, this retreat center in Ohio has the tools, workstations, and a homey place to craft with others. ONGOING

This retreat in Portland, Maine brings together wedding and portrait photographers. FEBRUARY 2015

The Editors Retreat in Florida is a small focused retreat for experienced film and video editors. FEBRUARY 2015

The Lake Superior Design Retreat is a weekend retreat for architectural design professionals and aficionados. FEBRUARY 2015

The Eat Write Retreat in Chicago is geared towards food bloggers and writers. JUNE 2015

Bloom Bash in Seattle focuses on business and social media savvy for creative entrepreneurs. OCTOBER 2015

Creative Revolution is a women-only retreat being held in Costa Rica, focusing on writing and self-care through massage, yoga, and discussion of women’s issues. FEBRUARY 2015

The HPA Tech Retreat for post-production professionals is held over five days in Palm Springs. FEBRUARY 2015

Lots of quiet writing time and 1-on-1 opportunities await attendees at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat in Estes Park, Colorado. MARCH 2015