Emerging Artist Experience

Emerging Artists have an opportunity to immerse themselves in Isle Royale's wilderness for a weeklong experience.

NPS

 

The Emerging Artist Experience is a one-week, shared camping immersion for early-career artists who have begun to develop a focused creative practice but are not yet able to compete for a professional artist-in-residence opportunity. The program combines wilderness immersion with facilitated structure: Mentors guide the selected cohort in artistic skill and professional development.

2026 Prgram Dates: July 14 – 22

Artists must be available for these dates.

2026 is a Pilot Year

As a new artistic wilderness immersion opportunity, exact programming, logistics, and structure are still being defined. Flexibility, understanding, and a willingness to provide positive insight for long-term program sustainability is essential for all participants.

 

 

Emerging Artists will spend part of their time on Isle Royale's west end, known as Windigo/Ozaagaateng.

Jonathan Ringdahl

How Do I Get to the Park?

Complimentary transportation to the park is provided on the National Park Service vessel Ranger III, a 165-foot ship operating out of Houghton, Michigan. Travel to and from Houghton, MI is up to the artist.

Where do I Stay?

The Isle Royale Emerging Artist Experience is a camping experience. All participants must be comfortable camping for 7 nights. The park and the program mentor will assist the camping experience. Potable water and shower facilties will be available for program duration. Kitchen facilities will be available during the Windigo / Ozaagaateng portion of the experience.

Participants must bring their own camping equipment. Shower facilities are available in Rock Harbor through the Rock Harbor Trading Post for a fee.

If selected, the Artist-in-Residence Coordinator will communicate all logistical considerations

Program Requirements

• Selected artists will be park volunteers.
• Selected artists must lead one post-experience public workshop or talk in their local community with a potential virtual option streamed to the Keweenaw community.
• Selected artists must be willing to participate in a post-experience cohort artshow curated on-island or in the Keweenaw community. Specifics will be relayed during the experience.
• Applying artists must be available for the program dates.
• Facilities are not accessible.

Program Dates

July 14 - July 22, 2026 (Tuesday - Wednesday)

Artists must be available during this time period. Dates are not flexible.

Where do I Eat?

While in Windigo / Ozaagaateng

Artists are to provide their own meals, though often the mentor may arrange communal meals. A small, shared kitchen facility will be available. You may also bring a campstove. All food must be brought with you from the mainland, though can be augmented in the Washington Habor Trading Post. More details will follow.

While in Rock Harbor

Meals are primarily prepared on a campstove, so plan to bring camping food that is simple to prepare. There will be no available kitchen amenities. All food must be brought with you from the mainland, though can be augmented in the Rock Habor Trading Post. The Rock Harbor Lodge operates two restaurants that can be utilized, but participants must cover these costs. More details will follow.

If selected, the Artist-in-Residence Coordinator will communicate these logistical considerations.

What do I Bring?

• Camping Supplies (backpacking ready)
• Daily Supplies (food, clothing, hiking gear, etc)
• Artistic Materials (in coodination with the mentor)
• An Attitude of Adventure

More detailed information will be provided by the Artist-in-Residence Coordinator.

How Many May Come With Me?

None. This is an artistic immersion with like-minded artists. Companions are not permitted.

Program Schedule

Tuesday July 14, 2026

Arrive Houghton, Michgian by 8 am for Ranger III departure at 9 am. Travel to Windigo / Ozaagaateng. Setup camp.

Wednesday - Sunday July 15 - 19, 2026

Full program experience in Windigo / Ozaagaateng area (see program structure).

Monday July 20, 2026

Travel to Rock Harbor aboard Voyageur II. Set up camp in Rock Harbor.

Tuesday July 21, 2026

Day Time: Solo Rock Harbor area exploration.
Evening: Program Closing Reflections

Wednesday July 22, 2026

Depart Rock Harbor aboard Ranger III for return to Houghton. Arrive in Houghton at 3 pm.

Program Structure

Daytime: Guided hikes, independent creative time, ranger programs, group discussions, and solo exploration.
Evening: Reflection circles, guest artist presentations (virtual and in-person, ranger programs, and peer dialogue.
Hiking: Movement through the island fosters observation, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the land and one's work. There will likely be an optional overnight backpacking experience.

Eligibility

• Identify as an emerging artist, defined as someone who has developed a focused body of work in a chosen medium and is in the early stages of sharing their practice publicly.

• Demonstrate committment to their medium through a portfolio (see How to Apply submission requirements) that reflect a consistent direction, exploration, or thematic interest.

• Within these general requirements, you decide if you are an emerging artist.

• Submit an artist statement describing your current stage of artistic growth, what you hope to develop next, and how this program might support your growth

• Be independently physically capable of carrying camping equipment and program supplies.

• Be comfortable in a backcountry settling with minimal amenities.

• Show a willingness to engage with a creative cohort and whare an immersive experience.

Emerging Artist Examples

• Artists who are beyond the beginning stages of experimentation, but not yet fully established with regular exhibitions, publications, residencies, or representation.
• Artists who may or may not have formal training (degrees are not required).
• Artists who are actively building a portfolio, applying to opportunities, and beginning to define their artistic voice.

Juror Consideration Through Submission Materials

• Evidence of a developing body of work in a chosen medium.

• A sense of exploration and artistic direction, even if still evolving.

• Clarity in the artist statement about goals, growth, and readiness for a structured, but short term residency-like experience.

• Cohort fit: A willingness to collaborate, discuss, and reflect with peers across sometimes diverse mediums.

What May Negate Selection

• Failure to submit any required element of the application (see How to Apply).

• Portfolios that show little focus or are still at a purely expermental, unfocused stage.

• Applicants who are already mid-career or established (extensive exhibitions, grants, publications, residencies, galleries, performances, etc). Instead, apply for the Established Artist-in-Residence Program.

• Lack of readiness and awareness for backcountry living (physical ability, flexibility, independence, wilderness understanding).

Why an Emerging Artist Experience?

1. Create a program bridge between Isle Royale's Teen Artist Exploration and Established Artist-in-Residence Programs

2. Allow artists to build a foundation for future professional and personal opportunities.

3. Immerse artists in the power of a remote island wilderness.

4. Allow artists to disconnect from the rigor or modern life, connect with their work through wilderness immersion, and connect with like-minded artists.

5. Allow artists to develop new ways to contribute to Isle Royale's cultural and environmental storytelling.

 

• 

  Apply to Be an Emerging Artist

  Continue to develop your art through wilderness immersion. Apply by February 16.

• 

  Apply to Be an Artist-in-Residence

  Explore Isle Royale through your artistic lens. Apply by February 16.

• 

  Apply to Be an Isle Royale Teen Artist

  Develop your art through a wilderness experience. Apply by February 16.

 

Program Sponsors

• 

  Copper Country Community Arts Center

  The CCCAC supports the Isle Royale Artist-in-Residence and Teen Artist Exploration program. Photo Courtesy Bonnie Loukus.

• 

  Houghton, MI

  Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association

  IRKPA is a member-supported, nonprofit cooperating association that supports Isle Royale in many ways. Photo Courtesy Alison Pontynen.