Shantigar Foundation
in Western Massachusetts
Arts
Meditation
Nature
Jean-Claude van Itallie, Founder
1936 - 2021
Welcome to Shantigar
Gratitude from Shantigar
As we reflect on Shantigar in 2025, our gratitude flows in many directions—
To gifted teachers—who hosted conversations about the theatre; taught meditation, Chi Kung and yoga; and engaged people in new ways of moving and new landscapes of song and sound.
To visiting experts and visionary thinkers—who shared their passion for mushrooms and the forest’s abundance; whose knowledge of bees awakened us to the global food network; and whose ideas about rural-urban connection sparked community conversation.
Learn more about 2025 workshops and events: https://www.shantigar.org/pastworkshops
To local partners and friends—Franklin Land Trust with whom Shantigar has preserved hundreds of acres; UMASS/Amherst which uses our fields for research; Raven Used Books which hosted our book talk; and Acadians Unite, a local hub for sharing ideas about climate resilience.
To creative groups and forward-thinking communities—including media students from LaGuardia Community College and environmental leaders from the Indigenous Commons and ReGen Network.
Learn more about our partners and friends: https://www.shantigar.org/friends
Gratitude to all our participants and visitors! In 2025, more than 100 people discovered Shantigar for the first time, arriving from nearby hill towns and from as far away as Ecuador, Australia, India, and the UK. Our goal is to grow the web of individuals and groups who can benefit from this sanctuary and seedbed. If you have ideas for events, workshops, or rentals, please contact us: email@shantigar.org.
To our talented team—who support teachers, workshop participants, and visitors; who maintain the house, cabins, gardens, and hiking trails, and whose outreach keeps you connected to our world.
A Time for Giving
Shantigar is a peaceful haven where people connect with each other and explore what matters most. As we approach year’s end, please consider a gift to the Shantigar Foundation. Contributions of any size sustain our operations and allow us to plan for the future. Thank you.
Warm regards,
Board Members—Connie Childs, Rand Engel, Didi Goldenhar, Deb Katz, Rosemary Quinn
Advisory Board Members—Josh Adler, Michael Schreiber, Marisa Viola
Shantigar in the News
Meet a Mycologist
The Greenfield Recorder
East-Meets-West book KUNI explores rural-urban connections
The Greenfield Recorder
In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world
pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger—
something better, pushing right back.
—Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)
Shantigar = Peaceful Home
Shantigar, located on a former dairy farm in Western Massachusetts, is a nonprofit foundation rooted in the mission—
Joining meditative and artistic practices
with the healing power of nature,
we can live more peacefully on the planet
Shantigar was founded by the late playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie in the 1990’s. The farm had been purchased by his family when he was a small child, soon after their refugee journey from Belgium during WW2.
Jean-Claude envisioned Shantigar as a place where the arts, contemplative practice, and nature would meet, saturated in the splendor of these hills, fields, and forests.
Over many years, he hosted a stellar roster of theatre artists, dancers, musicians, painters, writers, activists, and spiritual teachers. His Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, wrote his Shambala teachings here and named the farm Shantigar, meaning Peaceful Home.
Since Jean-Claude’s passing in 2021, the Board and Advisors have been devoted to his vision of Shantigar as a benevolent hive for creativity, friendship, and soul-stirring experiences.
Grow the Community
In 2024, Shantigar established the Jean-Claude van Itallie Scholarship Fund. To expand our community, we provide financial assistance to people desiring to attend our workshops.
Recently, a dear friend of Shantigar donated $500 to the Fund. By matching this generous gift, we’ll be able to distribute $1,000 in partial scholarships for Summer and Fall workshops. Will you help us meet the match? Thank you!
Jean-Claude van Itallie
Scholarship Fund
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Shantigar's Mission
To engage with the world from a more profound place through transformative workshops, retreats and performances.
Joining meditative and artistic practices with the healing power of nature, we can live more peacefully on our planet.
Private Group Rentals at Shantigar
Shantigar is ideal for professional convenings, creative work, and meditation gatherings. Get close to what matters while immersed in our natural splendors. We offer space and time to restore, recharge, and engage in essential conversations.
Group rentals are available for a minimum of 3 people staying at least 2 nights. Our farmhouse and cabins can accommodate up to twelve people. For more information, please contact Shantigar co-director Deb Katz at (413)-834-3280 or administrator Peter Columbus: email@shantigar.org.
