Application Deadline: Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7pm ET
The New York City Arts in Education Roundtable is proud to host its third annual Black Women’s Wellness Retreat (BWWR) at the Omega Institute in the Hudson Valley.
The BWWR was created in response to recent events in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and its effect specifically to the Black Women community as well as in line with the Roundtable’ campaign “Rebuild, Reconcile, Reimagine: A List of Demands for Centering Black Women’s Leadership in Arts Education.” The retreat is FREE for up to 40 participants, with at least 5 spots held for the nomination of at least 5 Black Woman Elders. Attendees will have the opportunity to retreat away together for a weekend of connection, healing, and growth.
This year’s theme is rest, reclaim, and rejuvenate.
Who is this retreat for?
The BWWR is specifically designed for individuals who identify as Black Women and work in the field of arts education. Interested participants can apply for the BWWR via an online application on the platform Submittable. The application may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
How do applications work?
There are two kinds of applications forms for BWWR 2023. Parties may nominate an elder or apply for the program themselves.
Nomination Details
- To nominate an elder to attend the BWWR: Complete a nomination form via Submittable. As part of the Elder Nomination, we are specifically looking for Black women who (1) are 55+ years old and (2) have demonstrated commitment to the field of arts education with 20+ years of experience. The form may take up to 10-15 minutes to complete. View a Google Doc version of this application here.
- To apply to attend the BWWR: Complete an application form via Submittable. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of five Black Women who work in the field of arts education. View a Google Doc version of this application here.
The deadline for nominations and applications is Monday, June 5 at 7pm ET.
Where will the retreat take place?
The BWWR will take place at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY (located 2-2.5 hours north of NYC). Conveniently located just 90 miles north of New York City, Omega’s natural environment and quiet pace will provide a serene environment for participants to retreat away this September.
Room and board will be included for all participants. Each individual will have a private bedroom, but may share a bathroom with other participants.
For more information
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at retreat@nycaieroundtable.org.
Anyone who identifies as Black Women and works in the field of arts education is welcome to apply to attend this retreat. If you are (1) 55+ years old and (2) have demonstrated commitment to the field of arts education with 20+ years of experience, you can still apply as a participant but you may also be nominated as an Elder.
To help ensure the health and safety of our staff and Retreat participants, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable requests that participants observe the following health and safety procedures:
In alignment with the Omega Institute’s current COVID protocols, the Roundtable is NOT requiring that attendees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test.
Masks are not required. All participants are welcome to wear masks while participating in the retreat including travel and during all indoor activities. Roundtable will have masks and hand sanitizer available for participant use.
Despite the policies above, retreat staff and attendees are encouraged to monitor their own symptoms leading up to the retreat.
Participants will NOT be able to attend the retreat if they have:
– A fever or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
– Tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the retreat.
– Close contact with anyone who is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19.
The Roundtable is committed to providing opportunities for everyone to participate in our programming. Participants will be able to indicate any accommodations and/or accessibility needs to make their attendance at the retreat more comfortable. For more information about retreat accessibility, please reach out to Dani Criss at dcriss@nycaieroundtable.org.
Retreat programming will be a hybrid mix of mostly in-person with some virtual activities.
Per the CDC’s website, “In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.” While there is no way to guarantee zero risk of infection in a space where people are present, the cooperation of staff and retreat participants in following required health and safety protocols is essential to our effort to ensure that everyone remains healthy and safe. All participants and staff must comply with the above procedures. Noncompliance may result in a participant(s) being asked to leave the retreat. Those participating in the retreat do so at their own risk of exposure and possible infection.
The 2023 Black Women’s Wellness Retreat will be held in-person at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. While the retreat schedule is currently being finalized, participants can expect a mix of in-person and virtual sessions.
Due to overwhelming demand, all participants must apply or be nominated to attend the Black Women’s Wellness Retreat.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of Black Women who work in the field of arts education. Participants will be notified by the end of June 2023 on the status of their application and will be asked to confirm their attendance at the retreat by early July. There is no registration cost associated with the retreat.
Elders are defined for the purposes of this application as Black women who (1) are 55+ years old and (2) have demonstrated commitment to the field of arts education with 20+ years of experience.
Elders who wish to self-nominate are asked to please complete the full application to attend the retreat. The Elder nomination form is intended for use by those recommending someone else for acceptance to attend the retreat.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of 7-8 Black Women who work in the field of arts education.
Applicants from outside the NYC metro-area are invited to apply. This retreat is specifically designed for individuals who identify as Black Women and work in the field of arts education.
Omega Institute is located at 150 Lake Drive, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.
The campus is conveniently located about 90 miles north of New York City and the major metropolitan area airports, and about 190 miles west of Boston.
Please note, the Roundtable will provide round-trip transportation from New York City via Amtrak leaving the morning of Friday, September 22 and returning in the early evening on Sunday, September 24 (exact times to be confirmed). Upon reaching the Rhinecliff Amtrak station, a ~20-minute van ride will transport participants from the train station to the campus.
Participants are welcome to arrange other travel arrangements at their own expense.
Directions by Car
For your own convenience and the safety of our local community, please use the directions on the Omega Institute website to get to Omega. Most GPS providers will lead you along the best routes to Omega, until you reach Slate Quarry Road/Bull’s Head Road (Route 19). At that point, GPS directions may route you incorrectly. Please follow the On Centre Road directions below to get you the final few miles.
Directions by Plane
By air, the best connections to Omega are from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY; Albany International Airport in Albany, NY; or JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark airports in the New York City area.
The retreat is free to attend including housing, accommodations, food, and round-trip train transportation from NYC.
Please note, round-trip transportation from New York City via Amtrak will leave on Friday, September 22 and return on Sunday, September 24 (exact times TBD). Upon reaching the Rhinecliff Amtrak station, a ~20-minute van ride will transport participants from the train station to the campus.
Participants are welcome to arrange other travel arrangements at their own expense.
Omega accommodations are rustic, simple, and comfortable.
Each individual will have a private bedroom, but may share a bathroom with other participants. All accommodations include meals and amenities. Free Wi-Fi and linens are available in all rooms. All rooms are heated and have either a ceiling fan, table fan, or standing fan. For your comfort, rooms do not have phones or televisions.
The Omega Dining Hall offers a generous buffet of mostly vegetarian food, with vegan and gluten free options. Additional snacks, beverages, and desserts are available for purchase in the Omega Café.
At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll find local, mostly organic, sustainable, nutrient-dense, artisanal, and whole-food meals. Omega Institute take special care to provide delectable options for folks with common food allergies as well. Gluten-free? Vegan? You’ll find a delicious meal that will leave you feeling nourished.
Specific dietary questions or for a list of local farmers/vendors? See Omega Institute’s Meals FAQ. Examples of what one may expect to be served during each meal are listed below.
Breakfast
Every morning, you’ll find delicious, hearty breakfast foods, including fresh eggs, tofu scramble, steel-cut oatmeal, home fries, fresh fruit, local yogurt, dried fruits and nuts, cereal, and granola. Daily specials may include French toast, pancakes, breakfast burritos, bagels, frittata, shakshuka, or kitchari.
Lunch & Dinner
Salad with raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, prepared salads, and homemade salad dressings, including dairy and nondairy options
Soup
Cooked vegetables and grains
Main entrée with mostly vegetarian, primarily bean-based protein options and/or eggs or cheese. Meat options may also be available.
Also Available at Every Meal
Bread. Three types of bread, including white and whole wheat
Lavash and Ryvita crackers
Organic peanut butter
Fruit preserves and jam
Butter and Earth Balance
Gluten-free bread with the same options is also available.
Essentials
A seasonal selection of simply prepared, vegan foods, including a grain (like quinoa, couscous, brown rice, or millet), legumes, and leafy greens and vegetables
At dinner, gluten-free pasta and homemade marinara sauce are also available
Beverages
Organic fair-trade coffee
Black and herbal Numi teas
Alternative sweeteners: agave nectar, honey, evaporated cane juice, and stevia
Dairy: whole milk, skim milk, and half & half
Nondairy: almond, rice, soy, and oat milk
Apple juice and orange juice
Filtered water
Condiments
wheat-free tamari (soy sauce)
olive oil
red wine vinegar
balsamic vinegar
hot sauces
gomasio (salted roasted sesame seeds)
sea vegetable flakes, and more
Omega’s campus is lovely, but it’s also large and hilly. Golf cart transportation between location on campus can be arranged once on-site. Please feel free to reach out to us at retreat@nycaieroundtable.org with any questions. We invite all applicants to let us how we can best meet your access needs within the application and via email if accepted.
Wheelchair accessible accommodations will be available. The venue may also provide golf cart rides and other assistance. For dietary concerns, please see theMeals FAQ.
