Nestled along the St. Croix River, the Artist at Pine Needles Residency is a rare space where creative practice and scientific inquiry sit side-by-side. Offering time, solitude, and direct access to scientists, this residency allows artists to explore how art and natural sciences influence one another.  

Since 2002, the program has welcomed more than 80 artists across various mediums, from poets, musicians, and photographers to scientific illustrators, painters, and more. Each resident is encouraged to deepen their connection to the natural sciences by engaging with Science Museum of Minnesota scientists, exploring the J.W.G. Dunn Natural History Library, participating in field and lab experiences, gathering source materials, and immersing themselves in the natural world. The resulting artwork, stories, performances, and exhibitions illuminate the intersection of art and scientific research.

The Science Museum of Minnesota offers scientific expertise in environmental limnology, ecology, hydrology, aquatic-biology, archaeology and anthropology, paleontology, biology, and collections conservation. 

Explore the impact of past residents in the Artist at Pine Needles Gallery on Level 4 of the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Residency Details

Eligibility

Applications are open to artists of any discipline who focus on environmental or natural science topics. The program also includes an emerging artist category to encourage and support early-career artists with this same calling. Emerging artists show evidence but, to date, do not have a substantial record of accomplishment and are not yet recognized as established artists, curators, critics, and arts administrators. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.  

Application Requirements

Interested artists must submit a completed application form, artist statement, program statement, community engagement proposal, and example works. Please review the application packet for specific submission instructions. Failure to submit all required materials within guidelines will disqualify applicant. If selected, applicants also agree to donate an original work developed from their residency within one year of completion.

Stipend

$650/week and optional travel support

Residency Dates

May through October. Specific 2-, 3- or 4-week residency dates finalized prior to application window opening and can be found in the annual application PDF once available to the public. 

Location

Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047, United States

Deadline

Application window will open mid-December and close late-February. Notice to applicants to come by end of March.

For questions contact Senior Operations Manager, Alaina Fedie, at [email protected] or (651) 433-5953 x12.

The 2026 Artist at Pine Needles program is generously supported in full by the Mahle Family Foundation.