• Artistic Merit and Innovation (20%)
  • High-quality, original work; clear potential to advance and progress in creative process
  • Strong, original work with good potential for progression
  • Adequate quality and originality; some potential for progression
  • Limited quality and originality; minimal potential for progression
  • Poor quality and lack of originality; no potential for progression
• Engagement and Community Impact (15%)
  • Demonstrates strong interest and experience in leading institutional and social transformation through creative practice; detailed plans for community engagement
  • Shows good interest and some experience; plans for community engagement are clear
  • Adequate interest and experience; basic plans for engagement
  • Limited interest and experience; vague plans for engagement
  • No demonstrated interest or experience; no plans for engagement
• Research and Interpretation Skills (15%)
  • Exceptional ability to conduct location-based research and contribute to reinterpretation projects
  • Strong research skills and some experience in interpretative projects
  • Adequate research and interpretation skills
  • Limited research experience and interpretation skills
  • No relevant research or interpretation skills
• Communication and Public Engagement (15%)
  • Excellent communication skills and experience with public presentations
  • Strong communication skills with some public engagement experience
  • Adequate communication skills with basic public engagement experience
  • Limited communication and public engagement skills
  • No relevant communication or public engagement skills
• Professional Experience and Background (10%)
  • Extensive artistic and professional accomplishments; strong experience with collections and community settings
  • Strong accomplishments; good experience with collections and community settings
  • Adequate accomplishments; some experience with collections and community settings
  • Limited accomplishments; minimal experience with collections and community settings
  • No significant accomplishments or relevant experience
• Project Proposal (20%)
  • Clear, feasible, and well-aligned with WAM's goals; innovative approach to art-making and transformation
  • Mostly clear and feasible; aligns well with WAM's goals
  • Adequate clarity and feasibility; moderate alignment with WAM's goals
  • Somewhat unclear or infeasible; weak alignment with WAM's goals
  • Unclear, infeasible, or misaligned with WAM's goals
• References (5%)
  • Outstanding references that strongly support the candidate's qualifications and fit for the residency
  • Strong references with good support for the candidate's qualifications
  • Adequate references with moderate support for the candidate's qualifications
  • Limited references with weak support for the candidate's qualifications
  • No references or references that do not support the candidate's qualifications

Artist Stipend: $55,000

Artist Stipend Distribution:

• Year 1 (January 2025): $27,500

• Year 2 (January 2026): $27,500

Supply Stipend: $14,300, to be provided at the start of the residency.

The WAM NA AiR residency program supports projects developed and completed during the residency period. Proposals can build upon previous work, however, proposals limited to reinstalling or remounting existing work or continuing an ongoing project are not eligible.

The number of trips will depend on the specific requirements of the artist's project. Trips may involve visiting locations significant to the artist's work, attending exhibitions, participating in community engagements, or conducting research. Travel stipend of $5,000 total. 

All travel will be coordinated by Weisman staff. 

The amount of time the resident artist will need to spend in Minnesota over the course of the residency is flexible and will be tailored to the specific needs of the artist, their project, and their other commitments. 

The public programs and engagement activities will be developed through a collaborative process involving the artist, museum staff, and community members. These programs will aim to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and build connections between the artist's work and the public. Two public programs can be presented during the artist residency period, with a final convening that is collaboratively developed alongside project partners. 

The residency involves both remote and in-person engagement, culminating in the creation of a new work(s) of art which will be displayed at the Weisman and promoted on museum channels. 

The duration and timeline for displaying the resulting artwork at the museum will be determined through a collaborative decision-making process involving the artist, museum staff, and other stakeholders.

After the display period, the museum will consider the artwork for accession into its permanent collection. If the museum does not accession the artwork, it may be returned to the artist, who could explore other exhibition opportunities or sales.

Conducting location-based research involves engaging with the local environment and community to inform artistic work. This includes participating in community events, visiting culturally significant sites, and studying the natural landscape as it pertains to the artists practice. It also involves utilizing University of Minnesota resources, such as faculty expertise and research centers, attending workshops and lectures with scholars and cultural practitioners, and experimenting with materials. The specifics of the artist's research will be determined by the artist's interests. 

The museum is open to supporting a diverse range of artistic work through the Native American Artist-in-Residence program. Since the type of work is not predetermined, the program encourages artists to explore and propose projects that align with their interests and expertise. Additionally, artists are encouraged to balance the residency with other commitments they may have, ensuring flexibility and support for their broader professional goals.

Yes, you can work on other projects during the residency. The program is designed to support the artist's creative process while allowing for flexibility with other commitments. We understand that artists often have multiple projects and obligations, and the residency aims to accommodate these by providing a supportive environment for your work.