I've spent plenty of time in Texas. I'll take Siberia, thanks. The way to make a living on residencies is the same as with any academic - grant-chasing. It's a drag. You're also not really participating in an open market - you're pandering to a select few that control grant money. I'd argue that the detachment of poetry and classical music from the general populace is largely due to it being produced for, consumed by and judged over by a tiny splinter of the population that holds Middle America in contempt. FYI - the Nicholl fellowship is generally open to between six and ten people a year. Between 7500 and 10,000 apply every year. I know two Nicholl fellows personally; my career isn't that much behind theirs. And while I could write volumes on the Nicholl, I will say that six out of 7,000 is damn near a sweepstakes... and the Amtrak thing is taller.And as for MFA programs, I've got my eye on Texas.