“An organization that does more for artists than any I have encountered.”
“Because of the Hermitage, some of the most beautiful plays have been written, and the most beautiful music has been made.”
“I cannot express what a profound effect the Hermitage – this incredible place of creativity – has had on my life. Receiving the space to create is indeed a wonderful gift.”
“If you trace the trajectory of the artists and the works that have come out of the Hermitage, the body of work that has been unleashed into the world is not just big in terms of number, but big in terms of impact. The impact that the Hermitage has on our collective creative life punches far above its weight.”
"If you believe that art is necessary in the world, and if you believe that the arts can create compassion and empathy in times of divisiveness, then you already believe in the Hermitage and its mission. The Hermitage is vital to the greater artistic landscape."
“A spark plug for ideas and collaborations: a miraculous co-mingling of music, literature, visual art, theater, nature, and wildlife.”
“The Hermitage breeds something unique, and without it, I cannot tell you how much work would not happen.”
“To have space that is for you to do your own thing on your own terms – it’s really one of the best gifts an artist can receive.”
"The Hermitage is world-class. We don't even know the impact that spending time in that space will have on the projects that these artists are creating while they're there. Great artists of the world don’t just start on Broadway. What I also love about the Hermitage is the interdisciplinary approach — at any given time a playwright, musician, poet, or visual artist can be together. The Hermitage gives people an opportunity to learn from one another which exists in very few places. From the first time I set foot on campus, my whole nervous system was activated, and I thought: this is incredible.”
“The Hermitage is where you go and have the rare opportunity to work on – and then share – the art and performances that come from your heart.”
“The Hermitage is where the work you don’t see getting done is done… the building of ideas, the nurturing of thoughts and dreams that eventually turn into the symphony you’ll see at your performing arts center of the great touring musical that comes through your town. It all has to start with an idea – the Hermitage is where those ideas are grown. It’s imperative that artists have beautiful places with supportive staff members and idyllic spaces to create. I’ll be here every time something pummels the Gulf Coast and attacks our beloved Hermitage. I’m here for the Hermitage until I am no more.”
“My time at the Hermitage has been truly meaningful to me. It’s been a traumatic few years, and the Hermitage is a place of healing. It’s a place where artists can come and find a way to work from a deeper place.”
“Here at the Hermitage, you’re in a space where your number-one job is to spend time with the work. When the Hermitage invites you in, it lets you know that what you do matters... and it’s enough to keep you going.”
“There’s something special about the Hermitage. There are so few hours that can be devoted to developing something new, often starting as just an idea or a desire. The Hermitage gives artists breath, space, and time… and something magical happens.”
“The Hermitage is a destination for artists. The Hermitage is our artistic and creative home. The Hermitage is where artists go to participate in a truly unique, generative, and creative environment.”
“I was able to ease so quickly into my work — it was wonderful. My only regret is that I couldn’t be at the Hermitage longer!”
“The Hermitage sparks an authentic creative magic. The campus on Manasota Key fosters the space to dream in ways the rest of the world rarely allows. The lush surrounding nature, the opportunity to connect with other artists, and an enthusiastic audience at the weekly presentations is the perfect alchemy in which to create.”
“A Hermitage residency implies a seriousness about one’s artistic practice. You don’t come to the Hermitage if you dabble in art; you come because art is your profession, your obsession, your life. Thank you for honoring the artistic process with the most precious gift of all: uninterrupted time.”
“It was like someone opening the door and inviting me to create a work that is responsive to this time, a work that can be reflective of this time... and I am super grateful for that.”
“The beautiful nature, the coziness of the campus, the solitude, the sunrises, and sunsets — all that not only healed me, but also propelled me to create in ways I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I felt supported, wanted, and safe.”
“The impact of the Hermitage extends far beyond the weeks that artists are in residence. The inspiration that we draw there — we take back home with us. What the Hermitage offers artists and writers like me is truly rare.”
“The greatest gift at the Hermitage is the opportunity to dream big – to come to the work with a full cup, and just be an artist. It’s a true game-changer in the arts industry.”
“The Hermitage provides the comfort, support, and community needed to focus and create. An artist here feels as though the constraints of time have been removed. The Hermitage helps cultivate the spaciousness of mind necessary to believe that anything is possible.”
“The work produced at the Hermitage is seen and heard around the world, and it guides us toward the light in our humanity.”
“Whether a visual artist, musician, choreographer, or writer, it’s vital to be able to have this space to really focus on the art. There are very few places left in the world that are like this, and it’s so important for the future of the arts... we need the Hermitage in this world.”
“Without the distractions of everyday life, I find that I get so much writing done here at the Hermitage... way more than I do anywhere else. My time here is incredibly fruitful, and it’s amazingly powerful for me.”
“This experience at the Hermitage was transformative. I’ve never been given the luxury of time and purpose like I was given at the Hermitage, and I feel that my artistic process has been changed forever in a positive way thanks to my time here. Going forward, I have a better understanding of how I can work to achieve my artistic goals, and to reflect on who and where I want to be.”
“The Hermitage is so valuable because it allows artists the time to throw away all the other stresses that keep us from making that art – art that could change our own life, one other person’s life, or many people’s lives. There really is no other organization doing for artists and the community what the Hermitage does.”
“The contributions and support that are given to the Hermitage have a profound impact on our work and what we’re bringing to the world. It’s making a mark on me that will influence my work from here on out.”
“The Hermitage is one of the few places left on the coast of Florida where you can be that close to nature. When I think of all the writers who’ve been to the Hermitage and all the pages they wrote and the books that are coming out as a result of their time there, it’s imperative to get the Hermitage back up and running or we may never know what pages didn’t get written, and what art we’ve lost.”
“The Hermitage provides an ideal landscape and environment for the artistic process.”
“The Hermitage is one of those rare precious organizations that supports artists and community in the way that is most meaningful.”
“Art and theater are our spiritual daily bread, and we’re making it here at the Hermitage... and we go from the Hermitage and break bread in every community we travel to.”
“The gift of time, space, and resources from the Hermitage are the essentials that every artist needs to create work that comes from the soul – to create art that can weave dreams and visions into existence and then send it out into the world.”
“There is something about the salt air of the Hermitage that opens up one’s senses to the possibilities of the creative process. When you're there, the water, the sand, the wind, and the beauty of the place takes over. You're in the company of these extraordinary people, working across disciplines, in a place where you can feel the history in the walls hopefully those walls are still intact – and you're keenly aware of the magic that this little place can release in you if you let it take you over.”
“Time at the Hermitage is immensely productive, and also a kind of soul reset. My time there helped me reconnect with my artistic instincts again.”
