Artist Residency at Michigan Legacy Art Park

Inspired by the work of artist, writer and educator David Barr, Michigan Legacy Art Park provides resident artists with time, space, support and inspiration for furthering their work by offering artist residency programs. Our primary annual residency program offers a two-week stay, a small honorarium, and an opportunity to both explore the sculptures in the forest setting at the Art Park, and work in a local art studio. Non-lodging residencies for local artists are also available on a limited basis.

Michigan Legacy Art Park, a nonprofit arts and culture organization in northern Michigan, is seeking artists to apply for the 2026 David Barr Residency program. The annual residency is supported by the Art Park’s Charles McGee Art Fund that was established to support new and emerging Michigan artists by providing a creative retreat with lodging, studio space, honorarium, materials budget, and the inspiration of the Art Park.

Inspired by the work of artist, writer and educator David Barr, Michigan Legacy Art Park provides resident artists with time, space, support and inspiration for furthering their work by offering artist residency programs. Our primary annual residency program offers a two-week stay, a small honorarium, and an opportunity to both explore the explore the sculptures in the forest setting at the Art Park, and work in a local art studio. Non-lodging residencies for local artists are also available on a limited basis.

We run one 2-week residency with lodging, generally in the Fall. A stipend of $1500 is included, to pay for travel, supplies, groceries, and incidentals. Local non-lodging residency artists are awarded a $500 stipend.

2 Residency Options: 

Summer Local Artist non-lodging residency: Between June 1 and August 31, 2026. You may choose as many or as few days as you wish. The local residency includes a $500 stipend for materials and work.
 

Fall Residency with Lodging: Between September 1 and October 31. This is a fourteen-day residency, and you may propose to spend less time, but not more time. The Fall Residency with Lodging at the Parson Center for Arts and Sciences includes a $1500 stipend for travel, materials, groceries, etc.

The Mission of Michigan Legacy Art Park (the Art Park) is to inspire awareness, appreciation and passion for Michigan’s history and stories, culture, and the environment through the arts. Since its founding in 1995, the Art Park completes this mission through the operation of a 31-acre forested, public sculpture park in Thompsonville with programs and services on-site and in classrooms across northwest Michigan. The Art Park is located in the heart of Crystal Mountain. It has over 50 sculptures in the permanent collection; poetry stones with verse that reflects the natural setting; an amphitheater for concerts and events; a quarter mile accessible trail and 2-miles of natural trails; and a Discovery Grove for student activities and programs. 

All applicants must supply a CV or Resume, respond to 3 of the artist statement questions, and provide a portfolio of 5-10 images or files of your work. 

Emerging Michigan Artists Preferred

An emerging artist is not defined by age but as an artist who is at the beginning of their career, and who has created a modest independent body of work. The Art Park will consider the significance, scope, critical reviews, and awards of an emerging artist who shows significant potential.