INDIGENOUS ARTIST RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES
INDIGENOUS ARTISTS IN PLACE
Open AIR offers a growing network of place-based residency opportunities designed specifically for Indigenous artists.
In 2027, these opportunities include a five-site summer residency cohort spanning western, central, and eastern Montana, as well as a distinct fall residency at the CSKT Bison Range.
Together, the residencies create opportunities for Indigenous artists of all artistic disciplines to spend meaningful time in relationship with culturally, historically, and ecologically significant places while receiving housing, financial support, access to local knowledge, and opportunities for community connection.
Each residency is different. Some are grounded in archives and collections; others in working landscapes, conservation, history, ecology, or community. Artists are encouraged to choose the opportunity that most closely aligns with their own questions, creative practice, and interests.
Indigenous artists are also warmly welcomed to apply for any Open AIR residency opportunity.
The opportunities highlighted here are specifically designed for Indigenous artists, but they represent only part of Open AIR's broader residency program. View all the Open AIR site opportunities for 2027/28 here.
Summer 2027
Five artists. Five places across Montana. One connected cohort experience.
The 2027 Indigenous Artists in Place summer session brings together five artists working at five different residency sites across Montana:
American Prairie — Lewistown
Kingsley History Project — Broadus
Montana Heritage Center — Helena
Moon Randolph Homestead — Missoula
Five Valleys Land Trust — Western Montana
Artists will be rooted in their individual residency sites while also participating in a connected cohort experience through shared conversations, gatherings, exchanges, and a culminating exhibition or public project.
Residency date range: May 25–August 1, 2027
Typical residency length: Approximately 4–6 weeks within each site's residency window
Fall 2027
CKST Bison Range Artist Residency
A distinct Indigenous artist residency rooted in one of Montana's most significant cultural and ecological landscapes.
Open AIR's partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes at the CSKT Bison Range offers an Indigenous artist the opportunity to spend an extended residency in relationship with the land, wildlife, history, and contemporary stewardship of the Bison Range.
The Bison Range is owned and managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and carries profound cultural, historical, and ecological significance. The residency creates space for an artist to pursue their own creative practice while learning from the landscape and, where appropriate, connecting with Tribal staff, cultural knowledge holders, scientists, educators, and community members.
This opportunity takes place separately from the summer Indigenous Artists in Place cohort and has its own residency schedule, site relationships, and program structure.
Residency date range: Fall 2027
View the unique aspects of each Residency Site below:
