Native American Artist Residency Program

Orange and maroon flowers with green leaves

About the Artist Residency Program

With support from the 2024 Gala in the Gardens Fund-A-Need, the Arboretum plans to host a four-month Artist Residency Program for one local Native American artist from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota or South Dakota, June 1 to Oct. 1, 2026, providing an opportunity to explore artistic ideas that highlight themes of nature and landscapes.

Art and artists at the Arboretum serve as vital portals to understanding our deep interdependence with the environment. Through the lens of traditional ecological knowledge, art becomes a way to reconnect with the land, revealing the stories, histories and relationships embedded in our landscapes. It fosters a sense of stewardship, sparks dialogue around pressing societal challenges and helps us see ourselves — and one another — more clearly within the web of life. These creative expressions illuminate the interwoven relationships between people and place, encouraging a more thoughtful and reciprocal engagement with the natural world.

Outcome

Immerse visitors in the environment through the traditional ecological knowledge of Native American people.

Project Requirements

Projects may be new or continuing, but at their core must be inspired by the Arboretum and be centered on nature, helping the audience better understand their relationship to the land. This project will be done independently, with regular check-ins with the Curator and limited access to Arboretum staff as needed.

Artist in Residence will be expected to deliver the following:

Work Plan: In conjunction with the Art and Sculpture Curator at the Arboretum, the artist will develop a project performance review plan to assess implementation and guide the project.
Finished Work: At the end of the four-month residency, present a finished product.
Evaluation: At the beginning, middle and end of the program an evaluation will be completed. This evaluation will be provided by the Arboretum and will offer the artist an opportunity to review the Art Residency program experience.
Community Engagement: In conjunction with the Arboretum, the artist must be committed to fostering meaningful connections with the community as part of this project. Engagement may occur throughout the creative process, including through workshops, public discussions or collaborative elements that invite input and participation. Alternatively, artists may present an event through an exhibition, performance, film, spoken word or any other format which may fit the project. We would like for this presentation to take place at the Arboretum but also understand artists may want to showcase this in their community.

Unallowable Projects

Anything that damages the flora or fauna
Permanent installations

Selection Process

The Arboretum Art Residency Program Selection Committee will include experienced members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, who will help ensure a balanced assessment process, selecting artists who will most benefit from and contribute to the residency program.

Projects will be selected based on:

Project Proposal
- Nature and land relationship theme
- Originality
- Educational Value
- Proposal must fit within budget and time frame
Community engagement/celebration idea
Quality of digital portfolio
CV
Letter of support (only for emerging artists)
- An emerging artist would be someone in the early stages of their career, developing their unique style and starting to gain recognition.

Expectations of the Artist in Residence Program

The Arboretum warmly welcomes all and looks forward to hosting you as an Artist in Residence. We ask that you and your guests honor the spirit of shared stewardship by caring for the facilities, grounds and natural areas throughout your time here. Your residency should be inspired by your experiences at the Arboretum — you are welcome to spend as much or as little time on-site as your creative process calls for.

Native American Artist Residency Program

About the Artist Residency Program

Outcome

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum connects people and plants for the planet.

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