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.

The Native American Initiatives (NAI) Department at MNHS supports access to these materials. Our responsibility as an institution is to ensure Native interests are reflected in public spaces, exhibitions, programming, and historic sites. Most importantly, we engage with Native people and nations throughout the state, ensuring Native voices, stories, and histories are addressed in MNHS’s work.  We strive to strengthen our relationships with Native communities. “Community” is not limited to federally recognized tribal reservation communities, but also includes urban communities.

Learn more about NAI.

Program overview

Artist-in-Residence 

The Native American Artist-in-Residence (NAAIR) Program, led by the Native American Initiatives Department, 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 Collections and NAI 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. 

Applying artists will submit an application which includes:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
• Artist’s Statement 
• Letter of support from Community Member 
• Portfolio  (5-10 pictures of past work) 
• Research Proposal 
• Community Project Proposal 

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 here.

NOTE: The following materials must be submitted (mailed, faxed, emailed, or dropped off) on or before September, 30 2024: 

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

Please submit all application materials online or to:

Chloe Cashman, Program Specialist, Native American Initiatives 

Minnesota Historical Society 
345 Kellogg Blvd. W.    
St. Paul, MN 55102

Or chloe.cashman@mnhs.org 

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 Statement 

Artists are asked to provide a brief statement explaining their interest in the Native American Artist-in-Residence program and how this research and community outreach opportunity could inform and support their work. 

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.