Arts News

Applications Open for MN Landscape Arboretum 2026 Native American Artist in Residence Program
MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM 2026 NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
JUNE 01 - OCTOBER 01, 2026
APPLICATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
ABOUT THE ARBORETUM
The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre public garden in Chaska, Minnesota, made up of 28 specialty gardens, 44 plant collections, and more than 150 outdoor permanent works of art, including the Harrison Sculpture Garden which contains 26 sculptures from 11 countries around the world. It is also home to the Reedy and Cafe galleries which host rotating art exhibitions to an audience of more than 600,000 arboretum visitors annually.
The Arboretum’s mission is to welcome, inform and inspire all through outstanding displays, protected natural areas, horticultural research and education.
Art is central to the Arboretum’s mission, with exhibitions that draw people into nature and natural spaces that inspire unique encounters with art.
ABOUT THE ART RESIDENCY PROGRAM
With support from the 2024 Board of Trustees Fund-A-Need Gala, the Arboretum plans to host a four-month Artist Residency Program for one local Native American artist from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota, beginning June 1 to October 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.
GOAL: The tradition of creating art within natural landscapes spans millennia. Contemporary American Indian artists and cultural bearers continue to carry this legacy forward, expressing it through Native art rooted in land-based practices across the country. The Arboretum’s Artist-in-Residence Program fosters meaningful engagement among the artist, the Arboretum, and its visitors—using art as a lens to deepen understanding of our connection to nature and the landscape.
OUTCOME: Immerse visitors in the environment through the traditional ecological knowledge of Native American people.
RESOURCES PROVIDED
$3000 artist stipend
$2500 available for travel and materials
$2000 community engagement costs, on or off site
Access to the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities including, natural areas, specialty gardens, plant collections, works of art and Library.
Staff time arranged as needed
Installation/production details available upon request
Housing is not provided
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 4 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 ART RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The Arboretum warmly welcomes all and looks forward to hosting an Artist in Residence. They 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.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications will be accepted from any of the following
Native American emerging through established artists
All forms of art are welcome, including but not limited to traditional visual arts, as well as song, dance, performance, writing, poetry, spoken word, and art whose work doesn’t fit neatly into categories and genres.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be completed via a form which will be made available on the Arboretum website from September 15, 2025 to January 5, 2026. It will include questions and an evaluation rubric for the selection committee. You can also access the application form here.
The Application must include the following:
The Title of the proposal
A description of the proposed project (250 words or less)
Community engagement plan.(250 words or less)
Project work plan
Digital portfolio (Images, Audio, Video, Text)
Maximum of 10 images.
Maximum 3 minutes audio/video.
Maximum 250 words for text submissions.
CV
1 Letter of support (Only for emerging artists)
Deadlines
09/15/2025: Application opens*
1/5/2025 at 11:59 pm: Applications are due
February 2026: Award Notification*
06/1/ 2026: Art Residency Program Begins
Summer - Fall 2026: Community Event
10/1/ 2026: Artist in Residence Program Ends
*Successful applicants will receive a gate pass to visit the Arboretum upon acceptance of award. Applicants interested in visiting the Arboretum prior to submittal may contact Wendy DePaolis depao008@umn.edu

Artist Spotlight with Shawna Grapentine on November 6
NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with artist Shawna Grapentine on Tuesday, November 6. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the recording is available here or https://streamyard.com/i9dtngjp6baj.
Shawna Grapentine along with artists Joan Kauppi, Candace Same, and Therese Masters Jacobson are featured in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — Immersed in Color, Inspired by Culutre. The conversation touched on the exhibit, her process and inspiration, her art, what she offers, classes that she teaches, and much more!
You can reach Shawna or find out more information on her website moonandbackcustomarts.com. You can also meet her at the Artist Reception on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Gallery.
The exhibit is open through November 21 at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This colorful exhibit features 29 pieces of art in acrylic, watercolor, beading, collage, and an award-winning hockey stick design.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Summer hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.
Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.

Artist Spotlight with Pamela Edevold on September 6
NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with artist Pamela Edevold. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. If you missed the live event, you can listen to the recording of the conversation is available here.
Pamela Edevold along with artists Jessica Lundeen, Heidi Danos, and Therese Masters Jacobson are featured in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — The Portrait Gallery. The conversation touched on Edevold's work in the exhibit, how it came to be, mediums she works in, her philosophy and much more!
The exhibit The Portrait Gallery is open through September at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This exhibit features 33 portraits in acrylic, watercolor, digital, and colored pencils. Portraits include Native American Dancers, parents, animals, and others.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.
Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.

Artist Spotlight with Jessica Lundeen, Heidi Danos, and Therese Masters Jacobson September 4 at 2 PM
NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with regional artists Jessica Lundeen, Therese Masters Jacobson, and Heidi Danos on Wednesday, September 4 at 2 PM.. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. If you missed the live event, you can listen to the recording of the conversation is available here.
These artists along with Pamela Edevold are featured in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — The Portrait Gallery. The conversation touched on the exhibit, the inspiration of the artists, their body of work, how they market themselves, their philosophy and much more!
The exhibit The Portrait Gallery is open through September at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This exhibit features 33 portraits in acrylic, watercolor, digital, and colored pencils. Portraits include Native American Dancers, parents, animals, and others.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.
Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.

Artists’ Futures Applications Due - Resources for Native American Artists
Artists' Futures applications are due soon! Resources for American Indian and Native American Artists!
Artists’ Futures provides resources directly to artists and culture bearers of African, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, Latinx, Chicanx, Asian/Pacific Islander, and SWANA (South West Asian and North African) descent residing in the 7-county metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties), and artists who are Native American/American Indian/Native Alaskan residing in Minnesota and the 11 Tribal nations that share the same geography.
Artists’ Futures provides financial support of $35,000 to individual artists along with additional resources and support. Artists’ Futures is a professional development, skill building and networking cohort for artists working in any artistic discipline at any stage in their career. The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) is interested in investing in artists by providing support that allows them to grow their ability to take creative risks, and build technical skills that could contribute to a sustainable and successful career in the arts.
Submission Deadline: October 3, 2022, 11:59pm
Notification Date: February 22, 2023
Financial Support: $35,000 (unrestricted)
Additional resources: $2,000 for professional development, plus access to vetted partnering professionals/spaces/organizations
Cohort Period: Support from MRAC and access to partners from Feb 2023 – Feb 2025
Number of Selected Artists: 10
For questions about the submission process in general and technical assistance, please contact mrac@mrac.org or 651-645-0402.
For questions and assistance related to eligibility and/or preparing a submission, please contact Jovan Rebollar (jovan@mrac.org or 651-523-6381). Or, fill out the meeting request form to schedule a time to meet with a staff member who can assist you.