The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) is pleased to share that Sarah Bess Jaffe has joined the organization as Resident Director of the Moulin à Nef, VCCA’s international residency program in Auvillar, France.
A writer, translator, and visual artist, Sarah joins VCCA after 16 years as an award-winning senior executive producer at Penguin Random House Audio in New York. She holds an MFA from the Brooklyn Writers Foundry and has taught at St. Joseph’s University and Paris College of Art. Her writing, which has been supported by fellowships at VCCA and La Porte Peinte Centre pour les Arts, appears in Electric Literature, CutBank, The Adroit Journal, and other publications.
As both an artist and an arts professional, Sarah brings a deep understanding of the transformative role creative residencies play in artists’ lives. Her experience fostering creative communities, her interdisciplinary perspective, and her commitment to cultural exchange make her an exciting leader for the Moulin à Nef’s next chapter.
Sarah succeeds Cheryl Fortier. A visual artist and VCCA Fellow herself, Cheryl became Resident Director in 2009, moving from Vancouver with her husband, John Alexander. During her long tenure Cheryl helped the Moulin à Nef to become an integral and beloved part of VCCA and a creative home for hundreds of writers, visual artists, and composers from around the world.
Photo by Laura Fisher: Cheryl Fortier (left) and Sarah Jaffe (right) together at the Moulin à Nef
“As Resident Director of the Moulin à Nef, Cheryl Fortier has been a key member of the VCCA team and has helped our residency program in Auvillar grow into a mature and beloved institution. We are very grateful for Cheryl’s leadership and we’re thrilled that she and John will continue to live in Auvillar, where we hope to see them often,” says VCCA Executive Director Kevin O’Halloran. “And we are delighted to welcome Sarah Jaffe. Sarah brings a wealth of experience that will help her continue to make the Moulin à Nef a productive home for VCCA Fellows. We look forward to working with her.”
Reflecting on her new role, Sarah shared:
“I’m beyond thrilled to be taking up the mantle of Resident Director at the Moulin à Nef, a true dream job. Residencies and cultural exchange have been essential to my growth as an artist and writer, and I can’t wait to be a part of creating that experience for others. I’m so grateful to VCCA for their trust in me to maintain the welcoming, fruitful, magical environment they’ve built, and I look forward to building a life in the wonderful community of Auvillar.”
Sarah officially began her tenure as Resident Director on July 1, 2026. In the weeks leading up to her arrival, she spent time alongside Cheryl to ensure a thoughtful transition, learning firsthand about the rhythms of the residency and the welcoming community Cheryl has so carefully cultivated.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah to the VCCA community and in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Cheryl for the extraordinary care, dedication, and vision she brought to the Moulin à Nef. We are excited for this new chapter while honoring the legacy that has made the residency such a special place for artists from around the world.