Atelier Rose is a nonprofit (registered French Loi 1901) creative arts association founded in 2024 by Canadian singer-songwriter and writer Lindsay Kay. Born from a desire to cultivate meaningful artistic community, Atelier Rose was created as a space where writers and musicians can genuinely grow in their craft, experience real creative development, and build lasting accountability to their artistic work. It emerged from Lindsay’s own search for a space where she could deepen and strengthen her non-fiction writing practice alongside others who were equally committed, and from a wish to support and mentor emerging songwriters in elevating their craft and finding a true home for their work. The atelier is built on connection, rigor, empathy, and the belief that creative work thrives when it is nurtured thoughtfully, gently, and seriously.

Since its founding, Atelier Rose has welcomed an inspiring and diverse roster of visiting teachers and artists in residence, including poet Heather Hartley, novelist and essayist Katy Masuga, writer and educator M. Colón-Margolies, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright Nina-Marie Gardner, and singer-songwriter and producer Benjamin Longman, among others. These artists bring professional excellence, generosity, curiosity, and lived artistic experience. Two outstanding published writers in residence (rotating) lead our creative writing workshops each semester, and Lindsay leads the semester-long songwriting workshops, offering participants tailored guidance informed by more than ten years of professional experience as a composing, recording, and performing artist. She also holds trauma-informed and somatics certifications and strives to bring this training into the space, helping to foster an environment where participants feel supported and safe in taking creative risks, refining their voices, and engaging deeply with language, music, and meaning. Participant access needs are important to us, and we work with care and flexibility to support artists wherever possible.

Atelier Rose is intentionally small, community-centered, and artist-led. Workshops are carefully structured, deeply supportive, and grounded in artistic integrity and craft rather than commercialization or hype. Sessions follow thoughtful workshop structures (drawing largely from the Iowa model), with clear policies around participation, presence, and care. We take each meeting seriously and expect meaningful commitment and consistent attendance from all participants. We do not consume alcohol during workshops, and we aim — as much as sensitive artists can! — to leave our egos at the door before each session and accept feedback with grace.

In addition to our semester-long workshops and shorter intensive masterclasses, Atelier Rose has grown into offering community events such as literary readings, concerts, end-of-the-semester writer and songwriter showcases, a bookclub, generative artist field trips, and more. 

Atelier Rose was founded as a place for artists to grow: thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with courage, in the heart of Paris.