Artists-in-Residence Program at MEMY

National Parks have a legacy of inspiring artists, long before they became a part of the national park system. The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is excited to continue in the tradition of working with artists to create and share new perspectives on the park’s stories.

The Artist-In-Residence program requires resident artists to offer two programs of any type. The programs can be public workshops, talks, demonstrations, or other outreach. Park staff and park partners are available to help artists brainstorm and execute program ideas. The events should occur during park or partner special events, or school vacation days. All events will be free and open to the public. Artists are supported with a $2500 stipend, and most supplies are provided by the park.

The residency runs June 15 – September 18th, 2026. Exact time commitments are negotiable and will vary by artist and medium.

The major theme for this year’s Artists-in-Residence program is: “The Civil Rights Table”. Medgar, Myrlie, and their friends and colleagues lived their lives and planned so much of the movement around the dinner table, at friendly restaurants, in church basements, and exciting juke joints. Under that major theme, we challenge artists to also align their work to these subthemes:

· Interactive Gathering Spaces (bringing people into the story through participation)

· Technology as Interpretation (digital storytelling, or other tech-based approaches)

· Community Voices at the Table (ways the public can contribute, respond, or reflect even remotely)

The park does not have housing or studio space. However, park staff can work with park partners to acquire artist workspace if needed. Art should be accessible to all people. It is the artist’s role to act as a catalyst for both inspiration and radical inclusion. 

We highly encourage applications from artists that are active in socially engaged practice. Our residency program is very public facing, and, as such, we require artists to have the ability to fully engage with our visitors, in capacities that may differ from a traditional artist residency.

at least 18 years of age.