Native American Artist-in-Residence Program

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) serves as a steward for thousands of material culture items and photographs, as well as thousands of records related to Native American communities of the region.

Program overview

Artist-in-Residence 

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 six to twelve 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) Bring this advanced awareness and understanding to their home communities in a way designed by the artist. 

This program highlights the knowledge and experience resident artists bring with them as they research the collection. Artists help inform MNHS collections and future researchers by adding their knowledge of the craft to the descriptions and information provided for each object they visit with. MNHS staff will also benefit tremendously from knowledge shared by the artists regarding what they have learned about the construction, style, design, and uses of cultural items. 

The core focus areas of this residency are collections research, community outreach, and transference of intergenerational knowledge. The NAAIR program is open to artists practicing all forms of cultural art, including utilitarian forms such as bow-making and canoe-making. Special consideration will be given to regional traditional media that is seen as endangered within the artist’s community, such as pottery or birch bark biting. 

Participating artists will be responsible for their own equipment, materials, banking options to receive payments, and travel and lodging while in the Twin Cities. A travel budget for research visits is allotted for each artist. Additionally, the program has an acquisitions budget devoted to purchasing at least one piece of work from each artist-in-residence. 

Application process

Apply

NOTE: The following materials must be submitted on or before the final application deadline -  October 24, 2025:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Artist Biography
• Letter of Support
• Portfolio (5 to 10 examples of work)
• Research Proposal
• Community Project Proposal

Resume or Curriculum Vitae 

A resume is a concise document created to present an individual's background, employment history, skills, and accomplishments. A curriculum vitae is a document that presents a full history of one's academic credentials. Artists are required to provide at least one of these documents to be considered for the residency.

Artist Biography 

Introduce yourself and provide your background as an artist.

Letter of Support 

This program does not require tribal enrollment for participation, however we do ask that a letter of support be written by a member of the community the applicant identifies with. These letters should address the applicant's art and involvement within the community; it should also include the supporting individual’s contact information.

Portfolio

Please attach 5-10 current pieces (created within the last 5 years) with a corresponding numbered image list with media, date, and dimensions.

Program Outcomes

The NAAIR award consists of the following:

• $30,000 grants to be paid in 3 installments, the last installment paid after completion of the program. (Applicants should understand that this is taxable income.)
• Travel stipend - up to $4,000 to visit and research other cultural knowledge bearers and institutions.
• Access to MNHS collections and a network of regional institutions for individual research.
• Funding and support for programming such as materials, food, etc.
• Up to $7,500 to purchase artwork that will be added to the MNHS collection.

Additional Artist Outcomes: 

• Receive support from MNHS staff and interns in regards to collections study, program development, and logistical support regarding travel.
• Receive support from MNHS staff and consultants to evaluate the outputs and outcomes of the community programs, using culturally appropriate evaluation methods.
• Receive training in both museum collection and archival collection research, including how to access historic manuscript, photograph, and library collections through the MNHS research library.
• Spend the majority of residency devoted to artistic study of the MNHS collections, but also receive a travel stipend to be used for visits to other local, regional, and national museums, including the Mille Lacs Indian Museum, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the National Museum of the American Indian, if desired. The travel stipend may also be used for visits with knowledgeable elders or artists practicing the art form and/or for bringing these knowledgeable elders/artists to view the MNHS collections for joint study.
• Develop a community-based project inspired by this research, in order to share new knowledge of the art form in the artist’s home community. Special consideration will be given to projects incorporating a deep transfer of cultural knowledge, such as building curricula and organizing community-based youth classes, or the development of a relationship with an apprentice artist. This project is to be completed within 3 months of the end of the residency.
• Participate in and assist in evaluating three public programs, thereby exposing the MNHS (generally non-Native) museum audience to traditional Native American art forms. Programs will be designed by the artist with assistance from MNHS staff and may include demonstrations of the art form, gallery talks, or public lectures.

MNHS Expectations For Artists in Residence:

• Check in with the Program Specialist by phone or in person on a biweekly basis. This includes providing an email address and telephone number that is checked regularly and responding to all communications within a reasonable time.
• Work with MNHS media specialists to create one video interview documenting their experiences during the residency.
• Make available at least one work of art for purchase by the MNHS permanent collection (additional funds designated for this purchase).
• Successfully pass a security background check.
• Agree to abide by MNHS’ Statement of Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Culturally Sensitive Objects Policy and be aware that any culturally sensitive objects requested to be accessed during residency will require special procedures and permissions.