Emerging Artist Fellowship
Location: MN — East Central (Hinckley)
Type: Residency
Categories:
Visual Arts
Deadline: 06/08/2025
No entry fee required
Open to artists nationally
Paid opportunity ($5,000)
Four emerging artists will be selected to create new sculptures at Franconia this summer. Residencies must occur between July 28 – September 20, 2025, with 4-5 weeks expected on-site. The artists will be expected to complete a sculpture that lives for at least two years here, exposed to thousands of visitors as well as Minnesota’s harsh climate. Artists will have the assistance of Franconia’s Site Council in the design, creation, and installation of their work, however the artist is primarily responsible at all project stages.
This residency program is centered around giving new opportunities to people exploring sculpture in their development as an artist. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience in creating art, however no prior public sculpture experience is necessary. Applicants are encouraged to give a realistic picture of their skills and experience, knowing that this residency is ideally a learning opportunity for those relatively new to outdoor public art. Each Emerging Artist will be awarded a $5000 fellowship to support their residency.
Because of the leadership and work of Dakota and Ojibwe artists at Franconia in 2025, this Symposium will center on “Two-Eyed Sight” – seeing through the strengths of both indigenous and western ways of knowing for the betterment of all. Two-Eyed Seeing was introduced by Mi’kmaq Elders Albert D. Marshall and Murdena Marshall from Eskasoni First Nation, in Nova Scotia. This theme is central to the exhibition on display this year in Franconia’s Mardag Gallery, featuring Artist-Astronomer-Activist Annette S. Lee. Founder of Native Skywatchers and a leader internationally in both Astronomical and Artistic communities, Annette came to use this metaphor by looking at the stars through both Indigenous and Western lenses. While this theme serves to guide the park’s tens of thousands of annual visitors, it also helps elevate the multiple perspectives artists and audiences hold today.