Since 2009, the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with North Dakota Council on the Arts to bring local artists to state parks for a residency. This partnership has brought a wide range of talented artists from around the state. The 2026 application period is now open!
Apply Online by April 24, 2026.
Artist in Residency Program
The Artist in Residency program offers artists the opportunity to stay and work in unique environments where they’ll draw inspiration from a North Dakota State Park, demonstrate their skills, and assist park visitors of all ages in discovering their artistic side. The program's goal is to continue creating works of art that showcase, document, and celebrate our North Dakota state parks while providing opportunities for visitors to become stewards, with a deeper appreciation of artistic works inspired by the state parks. Artworks generated from this program have characterized the state's beauty for present and future generations, allowing park visitors to see North Dakota through the eyes and ears of contributing artists.
Participating artists are required to provide a minimum of two onsite presentations, one of them a hands-on workshop providing park visitors of all ages an opportunity to try out the artist's skills, methods, and/or tools. Depending upon availability, artists are provided with either a cabin or a modern campsite for their residency duration.
A stipend will be awarded to the selected artists upon completing the residency program to compensate participating artists for their time and expenses. Stipends range from $1,750-$2,250 and are based on the length of residency. Participating artists are required to donate a piece of art representing their style and reflecting their residency to the park's collection. Applicants must be current North Dakota residents. This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Artist Interviews
Requirements
- Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, but must be a current North Dakota resident.
- Artist must provide a minimum of two onsite presentations/workshops during the weekend.
- At least one proposal must be a hands-on workshop open to all ages, exploring your artistic skills, methods and/or tools. Cost of art supplies is factored into the stipend to be awarded upon completion of residency.
- The second presentation may be a lecture, exhibition, creative walk, etc.
- Artist must donate a piece of art representing their artistic style and residency to the State Park, granting NDPRD the right to reproduce the work. If a literary work is produced, NDPRD requires a one-time publication right to the portion of the work produced during the residency.
- Within the application, artist must provide an artist’s statement, samples or pictures of artwork(s) relating to this type of residency, a narrative outlining goals for their presentations and illustrate how donated artwork connects to the North Dakota State Park(s) to which the artist is applying.
- Artist is required to remain onsite during the residency, either in provided park lodging or in a campsite.
- Artist must complete an evaluation of the program upon completion of the residency.
- Preference will be given to those who have not previously participated in the program.