About the Native American Artist-in-Residence Program

The Native American Artist-in-Residence (NAAIR) Program was established in 2013 to support the continuation and recovery of traditional Native American arts by utilizing the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections. NAAIR is a 6 to 12 month residency. Artists are supported financially, gain open access to study the MNHS collections, and are provided with support to visit regional museums or knowledgeable peer artists or elders. The purpose of this residency is to expose Native American artists who currently work within traditional art forms to these resources, in order to:

  1. Advance their understanding of their respected forms of art.
  2. Support the intergenerational transference of knowledge of cultural teachings and art practices through community engagement and collections research.
  3. Bring this advanced awareness and understanding to their home communities in a way designed by the artist.

Learn more about NAAIR here.

Application introduction

Applying artists must submit an application which includes:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Biography (350-word maximum)
  • Letter of support from Community Member
  • Research approval letter (Optional/ Recommended)
  • Portfolio (5-10 pictures of past work)
  • Collections Research Proposal (600-word maximum)
  • Community Project Proposal (600-word maximum)

Application materials must be complete and received by the application deadline date in order to be considered. All materials must be submitted online, mail, or email by January 25th, 2027.

Questions — including those about MNHS collections and library resources — are encouraged and should be sent to NAAIR Program Specialist Chloe Cashman at chloe.cashman@mnhs.org.