Artist-in-Residence Program

They came, they created, they inspired.

National parks have been the source of inspiration for well-known artists, such as Thomas Moran, Albert Bierdstadt, and Frank Dudley, who have visually depicted the cultural and natural treasures of our great American heritage. These beautiful works are cherished by park visitors and for future generations. Indiana Dunes National Park invites you to become a part of this legacy in our two week Artist-in-Residence Program.

The Artist-in-Residence program at Indiana Dunes offers professional artists the opportunity to live in the park for two weeks to create art that helps generate appreciation and support for the national park. In exchange, the artist provides a public engagement and donates a piece of art created during their stay.

Artist Caroline Goldsmith sums her time spent here.

“Residency work is very different to commission work or good paintings done in studio or Plein Air etc. With residencies comes a freedom to challenge and explore more because of less distractions and coveted time. The walls we experience in everyday life are gone. A reflection of where you are at in every way is reflected right back at you. So you have an artist in shifted focus."

 

2025 Artist-in-Residence Submissions Now Open

Artist-in-Residence submission timeframe for 2025 is now open. Submissions must be received or postmarked by February 15, 2025. Winners will be announced in March 2025. Housing will be available for residencies from late September through October 2025.

Download 2025 Artist-in-Residence application for Indiana Dunes National Park.

Are you interested in our Artist-in-Residence program? Join our Facebook group named the Indiana Dunes Artist-in-Residence Muse, which includes AIR news, updates, and even art renderings from past AIR participants and are current members of the group.

 

Past Artists-in-Residence

Click here to view the gallery of past Artists' donated works.

2023	Casey Williams, Kuhn Hong, Kyle Ragsdale, Mary Ann Pals, Nina Grauley
2022	Ann Geise, Angela Gelasi, Catherine Trezek, Chris Arnold, Nancy Hershberger, and Robert Robbins
2021	Lynn Buckmaster, Thomas Himsel, Barbara Knuckles, Margaret Mayer, Laura Reilly, Linda Volz
2020	Program paused for COVID19
2019	Beth-Ann Wilson, Carolyn Damstra, Curt Stanfield, Ron Henderson
2018	Caroline Goldsmith, Heather Heckel, Michael Janosky, Patricia Cummins, Teri Rosario, Wendy Fetters
2017	Andrew Deiser, Anna Cox, Anne-Karine Bley, Mary Ann Trzyna, Simonne Roy
2016	Gillian Harris, Kristina Knowski, Susan Dorsey, Susan Ellison, Susan Klabak
2015	James Johnson, Paula Kovarik, Kathy Levine, Valerie Mann, Orion Holen, Gene Snyder
2014	Gail Franke, Michael Gard, Joan Richmond
2013	Douglas David, Steven Walker, Sam Rosenthal, Kim Clanton
2012	Sherri Thomas, Dan McGrath
2011	Jeanie Mcleish, Mark Burkett, Susan Hanshaw, Nancie King Mertz
2010	George Desort, Victor Pytko, Rachel Lin Weaver
2009	Larry Jensen, Michelle Michael
2008	Nancy Klaud
2007	Sharon Hammer Baker, Jerry Dennis
2006	Mare Dianora, Kirsten Brat, Tom Virgin, Edward Powell
2005	Mary Reusch, Linda Hoard
2004	Helen Stannard, Joel Knapp
2003	Greg Blair
2002	Marikay Witlock, Kim Elliott
2001	Jerry Power, Emily Damstra
2000	Peter Taylor
1999	Donna Allgier-Lambert, Joel Cronar
1998	Marianne Well, Carole Boller
1997	Diane Canfield-Bywaters, Rick Stevens
1996	Meliane Parke

 

Art of the Dunes

Take a brief virtual tour of some of our Artist-in-Residence program participants and the actual park locations where their residing art’s inspiration might have blossomed. Also, watch a short video highlighting some Artist-in-Residence paintings on display at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Please note: Paintings on display are subject to change without notice. Call ahead at [phone].

View full screen >

 

How to Apply for the Volunteer Program

Click Here

1. Create a profile and apply for this opportunity at https://www.volunteer.gov/
2. Type "Indiana Dunes National Park" in the search field and look for this opportunity.
3. Click Apply 
4. Once you have completed the on-line application process from volunteer.gov , your completed application will be reviewed by a hiring official and compared with other applications for the same volunteer job.

5. The volunteer program office will contact you directly if you are being considered for a volunteer position.

6. If selected, more information about the volunteer position, uniform, etc. will be sent to you.
7. For any questions, contact the volunteer program office by calling [phone] or sending us an email. 

 

Volunteer Resources & Documents

Click Here

Volunteer Handbook
Hours Sheet (PDF) - submit every month to your supervisor and to [e-mail]
Monthly Volunteer Newsletter Signup 

Artist-in-Residence Service Description and Job Hazard Analysis
OF-301a Artist-in-Residence Service Agreement 

 

 

The Park Connection

"Connecting People To The Park"
For any questions, contact the volunteer program office by calling [phone] or sending us an email. For emergencies, please call 1-800-PARK-TIP (1-800-727-5847).