Inspiring Songwriters, Writers, and Poets Since 1995
Home of Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters and the Springfed Writing Contest.
What we offer
Springfed Arts’ current programs. To see photographs from our literary retreats, go to History & Archives.
Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters
Two four-day weeks at Jolli-Lodge, directed by John D. Lamb. Write a song, work one-on-one with presenters, and play it that night at the song swap.
Dates, presenters & registrationSpringfed Writing Contest
An annual contest for poetry and prose, judged by invited writers and submitted by email. $50 a category, $100 for both, open to everyone.
Rules & entryScholarships
Help an emerging songwriter attend Lamb’s Retreat through scholarship support — or ask about a scholarship for yourself.
Scholarships & how to askThe 32nd annual · Directed by John D. Lamb
Lamb's Retreat
for Songwriters
Jolli-Lodge · 29 N. Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau, MI · October 29 – November 8, 2026
Inspirational talks, discussions on craft and creative process, one-on-one sessions, open mic and song swaps. Good food, great accommodations, and a room full of people doing the same difficult thing you are. Open to all songwriters — take one week or stay for all ten days as an artist-in-residence.
2026 retreat poster
Click poster to enlarge
Scholarships available through the Sal D'Agnillo Songwriter Endowment and Blissfest
Scholarships
Help a songwriter discover Lamb’s Retreat.
Springfed raises scholarship funds so that a songwriter without the means to attend can still come. Every gift goes to a place at the retreat for somebody who would otherwise miss it.
- Sal D’Agnillo Songwriter Endowment Full ride
- Writers Scholarship Fund Part funded
- Funded by the Backyard Bash Every September
- Springfed Arts 501(c)(3)
- Gifts are tax deductible In full
Our mission
To inspire and educate writers and songwriters in the craft and performance of their work.
Springfed Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Royal Oak, Michigan. Beyond the retreat and the contest, we run workshops in schools and communities that encourage diverse individual artistic achievement. Gifts fund scholarships and keep tuition within reach.
Support SpringfedSupported by
Stay in touch
Two lists. Pick either, or both.
We send a handful of emails a year — never more than we'd want to receive ourselves.
Springfed events and news
Contest · Readings · Scholarships
Lamb's Retreats for Songwriters
Retreat dates · Presenters · Concerts