FY24 - NAAIR - Application

NAAIR Program Overview

The Native American Artist-in-Residence (NAAIR) program was established in 2013 to support the continuation and recovery of traditional Native American arts by utilizing the Minnesota Historical Society's (MNHS) collections. NAAIR is a six to twelve month residency. Artists are supported financially, gain open access to study the MNHS collections, and are provided with support to visit regional museums or knowledgeable peer artists or elders. The purpose of this residency is to expose Native American artists who are currently working within traditional art forms in order to:

   1) advance their understanding of the traditional forms of art 

   2) bring this advanced awareness and understanding to their home communities in a way designed by the artist. 

This program highlights the knowledge and experience resident artists bring with them as they research the collection. Artists help inform MNHS collections and future researchers by adding their knowledge of the craft to the descriptions and information provided for each object they visit with. MNHS Collections and Native American Initiatives staff will also benefit tremendously from knowledge shared by the artists regarding what they have learned about the construction, style, design and use of cultural items. 

The core focus areas of this residency are collections research, community outreach and and transference of intergenerational knowledge. The NAAIR program is open to artists practicing all forms of cultural art, including utilitarian forms such as bow-making and canoe-making. Special consideration will be given to regional traditional mediums that are seen as endangered within the artist's community, such as pottery or birch bark biting. 

Applying artists will submit an application which includes:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Artist's statement
• Letter of support from Community Member
• Portfolio (5-10 pictures of past work)
• Research Proposal
• Community Project Proposal

Program Outcomes

The NAAIR award consists of the following:

• $30,000 grants to be paid in 3 installments, the last installment paid after completion of the program. (Applicants should understand that this is taxable income). 
• Travel stipend - up to $4000 to visit and research other cultural knowledge bearers and institutions. 
• Access to MNHS collections and a network of regional institutions for individual research. 
• Funding and support for programming such as materials, food, etc...
• Up to $7,500 to purchase artwork that will be added to the MNHs collection.

Additional Artist Outcomes:

• Receive support from MNHS staff and interns in regards to collections study, program development and logistical support regarding travel.
• Receive support from MNHS staff and consultants to evaluate the outputs and outcomes of the community programs, using culturally appropriate evaluation methods. 
• Receive training in both museum collection and archival collection research. 
• Spend the majority of residency devoted to artistic study of the MNHS collections, but also receive an additional travel stipend to be used for visits to other local, regional and national museums, including the Mill Lacs Indian Museum, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the National Museum of the American Indian, if desired. The travel stipend may also be used for visits with knowledgeable elders or artists practicing the art form and/or for bringing these knowledgeable elders/artists to view the MNHS collections for joint study. 
• Develop a community-based project inspired by this research, in order to share new knowledge of the art form in the artist's home community. Special consideration will be given to projects incorporating a deep transfer of cultural knowledge, such as building curricula and organizing community-based youth classes, or the development of a relationship with an apprentice artist. This project is to be completed within 3 months of the end of the residency. 
• Participate and develop three public programs, thereby exposing the MNHS (generally non-Native) museum audience to traditional Native American art forms. Programs will be designed by the artist with assistance from MNHS staff and may include demonstrations of the art form, gallery talks or public lectures. 

MNHS Expectations for Artists in Residence:

• Check in with the Program Specialist by phone or in person on a biweekly basis. This includes providing an email address and telephone number that is checked regularly and responding to all communications within a reasonable time. 
• Work with MNHS media specialists to create one video interview documenting their experience during the residency. 
• Make available at least one work of art for purchase by the MNHS permanent collection (additional funds designated for this purchase). 
• Successfully pass a security background check.
• Agree to abide by MNHS' Statement of Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Culturally Sensitive Objects Policy and be aware that any culturally sensitive objects requested to be accessed during residency will require special procedures and permissions.