Park Your Art
This is one of my favorite posts to update each year, and I was excited to learn of something special launching in 2026. Keep reading.
For centuries, artists have interpreted the natural beauty of America’s wild and remote places. Creative folks are encouraged to continue that tradition through more than 50 National Park Service Artist-in-Residence programs.
Michigan has several opportunities for artist residencies, including national parks and Mackinac State Historic Park on Mackinac Island; Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Western Upper Peninsula; and the private program at remote, undeveloped Rabbit Island in Lake Superior.
These are for the writers, poets, musicians and performance and visual artists who long to escape to the wilderness, where the surroundings inspire creativity and there’s little to distract them from their work.
Artists-in-residence are selected through an application process unique to each park. Specifics vary as to genre accepted, length of stay, type of accommodations and expectations. Requirements may include that the artist present a public program and donate one work created during the residency.
Check the following for details and deadlines. Note: this is not a comprehensive list. I will update it if I learn of new opportunities.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – February 14 deadline
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana – April 30 deadline
Isle Royale National Park This remote wilderness park, off the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior, offers three programs. February 16 deadline for all:
Artist-in-Residence
Teen Artist Exploration (ages 13 – 18) This camping experience is set for July 24-29. An adult must accompany a teen under 18.
NEW IN 2026: Emerging Artist Experience for, according to the website, “early-career artists who have begun to develop a focused creative practice but are not yet able to compete for a professional artist-in-residence opportunity.” This camping experience is set for July 14-22.
Mackinac State Historic Parks – January 9 deadline
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – 2026 program TBD; keep an eye on the website
ALSO:
Glen Arbor Arts Center at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore- January 6 deadline
Good Hart Artist Residency – January 13 deadline
Jordan River – March 31 deadline
Rabbit Island – February 22 deadline
Ox-Bow – several opportunities available
Click here for a round-up of artist residencies and retreats in the Great Lakes States
