Central ND News

The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department, in collaboration with the North Dakota Council on the Arts, has announced the opening of applications for the Artist in Residency program. This initiative invites artists from diverse disciplines to apply. The residency offers artists the opportunity to work and stay within state parks, providing a unique environment to inspire creativity, demonstrate artistic skills, and engage park visitors with the fusion of art and nature.

Selected artists will participate in residencies at Cross Ranch State Park from August 4-13, 2025, Turtle River State Park from August 10-17, 2025, and Fort Ransom State Park from June 2-8, 2026. The collaboration aims to integrate arts into the educational programming of the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department.

"This partnership with North Dakota Council on the Arts allows us to create meaningful connections between the arts, nature, and outdoor education," stated Cody Schulz, Director of North Dakota Parks & Recreation. "These residencies invite artists to interpret our landscapes through their unique lenses, while giving park visitors the chance to experience nature and creativity in a new way."

The program seeks to enrich visitors' experiences by reflecting North Dakota's beauty through art. The park department showcases several artists' works through video interviews available on its website.

Supported by a grant from North Dakota Council on the Arts, which is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, this project provides essential resources for the residency. "At NDCA, we recognize that the arts are part of everyday life, and there’s no better setting for that than our state parks," said Jessica Christy, Executive Director of the North Dakota Council on the Arts. "This residency provides artists with the time and space to create, while allowing visitors an opportunity to engage with the arts in meaningful ways."

Eligible artists must be residents of North Dakota and are expected to conduct at least two onsite presentations. One of these should be a hands-on workshop offering park visitors the opportunity to explore artistic skills and techniques. Participants are also required to donate a piece of artwork that represents their style and reflects their residency experience to the park's collection.

Applications can be accessed at the provided online form and must be submitted via email by May 23, 2025. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department's mission focuses on enriching generations by connecting people and places through diverse experiences.