American Prairie

American Prairie’s mission is to create the largest nature reserve in the contiguous United States, a refuge for people and wildlife preserved forever as part of America’s heritage. They are actively working to restore the prairie through land management and restoration of bison, wildlife, and habitats.

American Prairie Website

American Prairie acknowledges that the landscape it stewards is the traditional homeland of generations of Indigenous peoples. As part of its mission to rewild the Northern Great Plains, American Prairie actively collaborates with Native Nations—including the nearby Fort Belknap Indian Community (Aaniiih and Nakoda), the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, and the Chippewa Cree Tribe at Rocky Boy’s Reservation— on several vital cultural and ecological initiatives:

• Bison (Buffalo) Restoration: Working in partnership with numerous Native Nations and tribal entities, American Prairie is committed to restoring bison to their historic habitats. To date, the organization has contributed more than 600,000 bison to Indigenous-led conservation herds across the United States to support food sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and genetic Health.

• Cultural Preservation & Consultation: American Prairie actively consults with tribal members, including the Aaniiih Nakoda Community, to develop educational, advisory, and interpretive programs that accurately and respectfully tell the intricate story of the region’s original stewards, ensures appropriate caretaking of the landscape, and provides meaningful cultural access for tribal members and neighbors.

• Shared Ecological Vision: Through partnerships honored by groups like the Field Museum, American Prairie and neighboring tribes are working collaboratively to restore keystone species and heal fragmented grasslands across both private reserve lands, public lands, and sovereign tribal lands.

Description text goes hereThe artist will be based at the Enrico Science and Education Center, in the shortgrass prairie ecosystem amid American Prairie’s largest bison herd. This property also places artists in a position to visit with our partners from the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, or to travel to the community of Malta, visit the Aaniiih and Nakoda community at Fort Belknap, or engage with ranching neighbors if desired.

Roads through the vast prairie landscape are rugged and either dirt or gravel. Four-wheel drive high clearance vehicle is recommended.

While in residence, artists will have access to the following:

• All American Prairie properties, 600,000+ acres, plus the 1.1 million-acre Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge and the 377,000-acre Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument.

• Significant historic/cultural landmarks: Missouri River, Beaver Creek, Fort Peck Reservoir, Fourchette Bay, Prairie Union School House, etc.

• Significant Indigenous landmarks, sites, and communities: Fort Belknap Indian Community, Medicine Rock, Sleeping Buffalo Stones, nearby stone circles, CMR Buffalo Jump.

• American Prairie bison herds at White Rock and Sun Prairie 

• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Research Team, housed on the nearby White Rock property

• National Discovery Center in Lewistown, MT.

• American Prairie staff

Located on American Prairie’s 28,000-acre Sun Prairie property in Phillips County at 44704 Regina Rd, Malta, MT, the Enrico Science and Education Center is set within a sprawling shortgrass prairie ecosystem inhabited by a herd of roughly 400 bison. The nearest town for groceries and supplies is Malta, located approximately 40 to 50 miles to the north. Reaching the site requires traveling across rugged dirt and gravel prairie roads.

Artists applying for this residency must have a vehicle; a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended.

Artists will be housed at the Enrico Education and Science Center on American Prairie's remote Sun Prairie property. The renovated bunkhouse provides modern amenities including private bedrooms, reliable Wi-Fi, running water with hot showers, a full kitchen, a workout room, a TV lounge, and a covered wraparound porch.

Enrico also hosts researchers, staff, volunteers, and occasional American Prairie guests; artists should anticipate a communal setting.

The Enrico Education and Science Center is a 1.5-hour drive from the nearest town with a full-service grocery store in Malta, Montana.

Artists should also be prepared for the realities of living in a remote landscape, including long distances to services, variable road conditions, wildlife such as free-roaming bison and rattlesnakes, and limited cell service away from the Center. A high-clearance AWD or 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for exploring the surrounding properties.

While on site, the artist will have the opportunity to engage with local tribal communities, partners, and visit regional events. The artist is also welcome to engage with visitors to American Prairie, local staff and researchers, and nearby communities and neighbors, as much as desired.

In addition to an artist presentation, the artist will have the opportunity to

teach a compensated workshop in Lewistown at the National Discovery Center if interested, or work with staff to arrange community engagement at Fort Belknap or Fort Peck. American Prairie also invites the artist to be featured in the Fall 2027 Issue of the American Prairie Journal, with a print-run of over 10,000 copies.

• READ ADDITIONAL FAQ’s document

• Open AIR is committed to accessibility. If the application process or fee poses a barrier,  please reach out to Rachel at program@openairmt.org