House of Wonder is available during the summer for creative residencies. We are interested in supporting individuals whose work we feel is relevant to the ecological and related cultural issues of today. Proposals are welcomed from a wide range of disciplines including for example artists, scientists, writers, researchers, philosophers, economists and clean technology entrepreneurs.
A separate, private residence building, and a large working studio space is provided for the quiet and uninterrupted resolution of work, along with a small project fund. Test installation support can be offered for those requiring it. Timing of the residencies is currently flexible and open to discussion.
Accommodations
The resident artist may choose between two housing options. The first is a seperate building with a bed and a desk. house, with modern amenities, including water and heat. Stove, refrigerator, microwave, and cooking/eating utensils are provided, but phone, television or washer/dryer are not. The second option is a campsite in one of our mainland campgrounds.
Weather in September and October can range from sunny and 75° to cold, wet, and windy.
Artists need to provide transportation, personal gear, bedding, food, and art supplies. Food is available in stores in Empire and other nearby towns. Art, photo and other supplies are available in Traverse City
(25 miles). Artists are expected to leave the accom- modations neat and clean and to comply with all park regulations and standards governing employees and visitors. Artists should be in good health, and self-sufficient.
The Programme
The Artist-in-Residence program is open to individuals whose work artists, writers, composers and visual artists, whose work can be influenced and enhanced by this superb Michigan scene. It provides resident artists the opportunity to capture the moods of Sleeping Bear Dunes in their particular media. The program provides rent-free use of either a campsite, or house.
Two 3-week time blocks are available each year: one in September and one in October. The artist is asked to donate an original piece of work (that has been framed or mounted), representative of their media, produced during the residency, and to contribute to the advancement of the park’s mission.
Local Community – Workshops, Talks, Writings, Installations
We encourage residency proposals to include some means of sharing experiences and learning with the local community and/or with House of Wonder. This can be done during the final week of the residency through a demonstration, reading, slide talk, etc. If a workshop, the event can be coordinated with our event partner, the Miranda Naturalist Trust, and will be advertised locally and via House of Wonder network. Donated works will be displayed in the park or shared with the public through other appropriate means. Offering the public an opportunity to experience natural wonders through the eyes, ears, and talents of the contributing artists fulfills one of the program’s main purposes.
Project Support Soirees
Due to House of Wonder’s association with Intercreate and the Eco sapiens network, a further project support service can be offered in the formulation of interdisciplinary dinners in support of the resident’s work and sanity while staying in the quiet of the countryside.
How to Apply
Applications for the programme must be postmarked or delivered to the park no later than April 15. The selections will be made and all applicants notified of the outcome by early June.
An application must include the following items, contained in a single envelope or padded mailer:
1. Resume of no more than two pages (4 copies).
2. Appropriate sample of recent work:
For visual artists–eight 35mm slides in standard mounts or eight images on a CD or DVD (PC compatible) which must be labeled. Label slides with your name, medium, image size, and indicate the top of the slide please.
For composers – a cassette, CD, or DVD (PC compatible) recording.
For writers and journalists–4 copies of a brief (6-page maximum) manuscript excerpt, short story, essay, poem, or other work.
3. Statement of what you hope to gain from a resi- dency at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake- shore, your willingness to present a program for the public, and your ability to interact with visi- tors while at work in the field (4 copies).
4. Preference for period of residence (September or October) and accommodation (house or camp- site).
PLEASE NOTE: No submissions sent to the park will be returned to the artist.
For further information, you may visit our website at www.nps.gov/slbe/parkmgmt/artistinresidence.htm, or call us at (231) 326-5134.
To submit an application, send your materials to
Artist-in-Residence Program Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 9922 Front St., Empire, Michigan 49630