**APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR 2025; PLEASE CHECK BACK IN SPRING 2026
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (FOSZB) is a 501c3 Minnesota non-profit with a Mission to Preserve & Protect the Greater Sax-Zim Bog. We do this through Land Preservation, Education, and Communication. We have preserved over 25,000 acres of bog forest peatlands in northern Minnesota. Our Welcome Center, trails and boardwalks allow visitors to have an inspirational and educational experience.
We value art in all its varied forms and believe it can inspire, educate and increase awareness of the value of peatlands to all boreal flora and fauna (“bogdiversity”), humans, climate and the planet itself.
Bogs are a major carbon sink for the planet….and Minnesota has over 6 MILLION acres of these valuable peatlands. But in order to help moderate the climate, these bogs and bog forests must remain intact.
This Artist-in-Residency experience will be focused on these amazing peatlands and all the boreal critters and plants that occur there. “Bogdiversity” will be celebrated with the Artist’s creation.
The purpose of the Residency will be to build community and awareness of bogs/peatlands (in the Sax-Zim Bog and beyond) highlighting the intersection of art and science, and creating the potential for community and global impact.
Details
This inaugural residency is scheduled for August 18-24, 2025
Terms
Applicant (“Artist”)
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (“FOSZB”)
Sax-Zim Bog (“The Bog”)
Sax-Zim Bogdiversity Artist-in-Residence Program (“Residency”)
Artist’s art (“Work”)
Who should apply
*This opportunity is open to artists in any stage of their career. Both established and emerging artists will be considered.
*Artist must be at least 21 years of age by start of Residency.
*Artists from all over the world will be considered.
*We seek Artists who focus on environmental/natural history topics and are able to connect their art to nature
[Current employees of FOSZB are not eligible to apply]
[Former Residency recipients may reapply five years after their last residency]
All media will be considered, including, but not limited to…
—Painting/drawing/journaling/illustration
—Print-making
—Fiber Arts
—Creative photography
—Filmmaking
—Composers/songwriters/musicians
—Fine Art Crafting, carving, jewelry
**Contact us if your art does not fall into one of these categories
Bog sites for inspiration
The Greater Sax-Zim Bog is about 500 square miles of wild lands in Northern Minnesota. It is a mix of boreal forest, aspen and maple uplands, meadows, swamps, rivers, lakes but the habitat artist’s will be focusing on is the vast Black Spruce, Tamarack, and Cedar bogs.
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s Welcome Center (open 10am-3pm daily), miles of trails and four boardwalks.
Although the residency will be hosted by the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog the focus area will be the entirety of The Bog’s peatlands. (Not just the property owned by FOSZB).
What is provided
—A $1,000 stipend
—Lodging at Alesches Accommodations, 10 minutes north of Meadowlands, MN and 15 minutes west of our Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. Each participant will have their own room with bathroom and kitchenette in a lodge, but may also use shared community spaces. (The lodge has WIFI, but outside of the lodge, cell phone coverage/WIFI will be limited).
—Workspace can potentially be provided based on the artists needs and local availability.
—Access to all FOSZB lands, trails and boardwalks, and the vast public lands in the 500 square mile Greater Sax-Zim Bog.
What is not provided
Food — Each participant is responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals. The nearest grocery stores are in Hibbing and Floodwood, both of which are approximately 25 minutes from Alesches.
Transportation — Because of the remote location and sheer size of the Bog area (and distance between sites), participants will need to have their own transportation to get to and from the residency, move around the Bog, and to get supplies as needed.
Equipment/Art tools
Considerations
—We ask that art-making materials brought in by the participants will not cause damage to the lodge or workspace.
—Pets are not allowed at the lodge, so artists will not be able to have their pets on site.
—Brief visits from guests are fine, but we ask that guests find other lodging options if they are staying the night.
—Artists may sell their existing/on-hand work at the Welcome Center during the residency. However, we ask that the art created as part of the Residency remain with the artist until after the Open House on the last Friday of the Residency.
Expectations
—We expect all Artists will have an amazing and inspiring experience in Sax-Zim Bog!
—All art created will showcase the magic of our bogs and peatlands.
—We ask that art initiated during the Residency be completed and shared/shown to FOSZB within one-year of completion of the Residency (by August 2026).
—We will invite artists participating in the Residency to be included in an art showing at our Welcome Center (Deadline December 1, 2025) (Not mandatory). Art show will be up for at least one-month in our Welcome Center and may include one or more artists.
—Artist retains copyright to their Work, and ownership of their original art pieces.
—In order to help inspire and share the magic of our bogs and peatlands, we at FOSZB will be given first-right-of-refusal to purchase or scan art created (or initiated) during the Residency. The purpose of this would be for FOSZB to promote the organization and its Mission using the art in social media, on our website, and in other FOSZB publications. The art may be used to promote this Artist-in-Residence program, and bog/peatland conservation in general. Snowchange (granting organization) may also use scans/reproductions to promote their Mission and Grants. Copyright credit will always be given to the artist.
—Attend an open house the last Friday of the Residency, and, if applicable, showcase work created during the Residency at the open house.
—Allow FOSZB to photograph/film you and your art during the residency period (during times agreed on by Artist and FOSZB). And allow resulting photos/video to be used by FOSZB to promote the organization and its Mission via social media, this Artist-in-Residence program, or bog/peatland conservation in the media. Copyright credit will always be given to the artist.
—Leave the lodging and workspaces provided in good shape. Report any issues.
—We encourage Artists to present a program to the public at our Sax-Zim Welcome Center within one year of completion of the Residency. (Not mandatory)
—Post residency – Submit a wrap-up report about the experience. (Form will be provided.)
Application process
Applications are due by June 1, 2025.
FOSZB will review the applications and let the applicants know the status of their application by June 15,2025.
Selection Process & Criteria
—Artists are selected by a committee of FOSZB staff, board, and local artists.
—Quality of Work submitted will be evaluated in the selection process
—Selection is based on artist’s connection to the goals of this Residency.
—Emphasis will be given to Artist’s and their Work that have the potential to promote bog/peatland inspiration and conservation.
—Creative Work that has the potential to intersect with the Mission of the Bog.
—Likelihood that the artist will be comfortable and productive in the spaces provided.
—Potential of Artist’s Work for community/global impact.
[The committee’s decisions are final]
**Collaborative teams that have worked together in the past will be considered. Each collaborator should submit their own application.
Application
Combine the following requirements into one organized Word or PDF document. Visual Artists and Writers please include your samples of work (see below) in this one document. Email the required document to:info@saxzim.org
Contact and Creative Info
First and last name:
Preferred Pronouns:
Mailing address:
Phone:
Email:
What is your medium of choice?
What type of workspace do you require to create your art?
How did you hear about this opportunity?
Summary of Creative works (2 pages max). Begin with a short intro paragraph highlighting your artistic activities, achievements, artist’s statement. If appropriate, also include:
Your website URL (if applicable)
Exhibitions/Shows/Performances
Galleries
Publications
Statement of Purpose (2 pages max)
1. What drew you to apply to this specific residency program? What about the Friends of the Sax-Zim Bog and bogs/peatlands resonates with you?
2. What benefit or meaning does this opportunity have for you? What do you hope to accomplish, process, or explore while you’re at this residency?
Submit your Samples of Recent Work
Visual Artists: Provide no more than 8 images in your Word or PDF document; 2 of the eight images may be detail shots, installation views (to show scale). Clearly label each image with the work’s title, medium and dimensions.
Writers: Provide no more than 6 short works or 1 long work in your Word or PDF document (10 pages max). Clearly label each work with your name and its title.
Composers, Musicians, Filmmakers: Provide no more than 6 short selections (6 minutes max) or 1 long selection (10 minutes max). YouTube/Vimeo link preferred.
Submit Word doc or PDF to:
Sara at info@saxzim.org
(Optional) Submit hard copy to:
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog
PO Box 3585
Duluth, MN 55803
If you have additional questions, please contact Sara Blanck at info@saxzim.org
**The 2025 Sax-Zim Bogdiversity Artist-in-Residence is graciously funded by a grant from Snowchange/Climate Breakthrough