Selway Bitterroot Wilderness

The Selway-Bitterroot Residency is a collaboration between Open AIR, the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (SBFC), and the US Forest Service.

The SBFC is a community of wilderness-minded and hardworking individuals dedicated to connecting wilderness with the people who work, live, and play within it.

The efforts of the SBFC community protect and preserve the natural, pristine character of wilderness.

Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation Website

USDA Forest Service Website

Experience the rugged Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness through a unique, two-phase residency. The residency will begin with an eight-day volunteer hitch alongside a trail crew for backcountry conservation, followed by ten days in a remote cabin or lookout.

During the first eight days, the artist/s will join a volunteer hitch, joining an SBFC volunteer trail crew in the field to take part in wilderness stewardship, camp life, and backcountry maintenance work. This opportunity offers firsthand exposure to volunteer conservation efforts and provides context and material for creative documentation.

The artist/s will then transition to one of our remote forest cabins or lookouts for the final ten days of their residency. This time affords the artist focused, self-directed studio time for creative work and exploration.

Because the program takes place in remote wilderness settings, logistics may change due to weather, wildfire activity, trail conditions, or U.S. Forest Service priorities. Program materials will feature a standard disclosure highlighting that location details and project scopes may shift, encouraging participating artists to approach the experience with flexibility and an adventurous spirit.

Artists must be physically capable and be comfortable with being in a remote location with limited contact with people and no electricity. We recommend that artists apply as a pair for this residency due to its remote nature.

A two-way radio will be provided to ensure safety.

• Pets are not allowed on this residency.

Tentative Timeline:

September 6 - Orientation in Missoula/Bitterroot Corridor, prepare for the trip

September 7 - Last-minute logistics, travel to the volunteer hitch

September 8-15 Volunteer Hitch location

September 16-25 Cabin or Lookout stay 

September 24- Return to Missoula/Bitterroot corridor, debrief, artist presentation.

October 2 - Check out. Residency ends.

• We ask artists to spend some time in Missoula ahead of the backcountry experience, where they can meet the other Summer Artists-in-Residence, complete paperwork, and training, and properly prepare for the expedition. Then they can enjoy residency in a remote and beautiful area and develop their practice in the field. On the other side, artists can return to Missoula to acclimate, reflect, present on their work, and wrap up their experience with the other AIRs.

• While in Missoula, the Selway-Bitterroot AIR will be provided housing and invited to use community resources.

• Please note that these dates may change.

We won't know the exact location of this residency’s accommodation until summer 2027. However, the residency will likely be located in a remote area in the Magruder corridor or the Lochsa River/Highway 12 corridor, accessible on a rough road by vehicle. Artists will need to have transportation and plan to have a spare tire with them and be comfortable changing a spare independently.

Weather can vary greatly during this time of year. Artists should bring rain gear, comfortable hiking shoes, a bathing suit, winter gear, and all layers in between.

It is common for there to be many mosquitoes and artists should bring netting and other supplies to help protect themselves.

This is a remote experience, and no cell service is available for miles.

Artists can access resources 1.5 hours away in Hamilton. Plan to be prepared once going into the backcountry.

During the hitch, the artist/s will camp with the crew at a primitive backcountry site. These sites have no amenities; the group will dig a latrine and filter water for drinking. Volunteers will carry their own gear, although mules may be available to transport group gear, food, and tools. SBFC supplies group cooking gear including tables, a tarp, two-burner stoves and fuel, pots, pans, utensils, plates, bowls, and mugs. Volunteers should bring their own tents and personal camping equipment, including sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backcountry gear, swimsuits, and towels. A packing list will be provided. SBFC also maintains an extensive gear library and can loan equipment upon request. For more detailed information, please refer to the Volunteer Info & FAQs.

For the second phase of the residency, the artist/s will be housed in a rustic lookout tower or cabin in the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Wilderness area. Exact facilities will be determined closer to arrival.

The Artist/s will be considered volunteers during their stay and will receive $28/day while in the field and in exchange will be responsible for some basic volunteer duties. Training is provided.

Upon return to Missoula, artists are expected to offer a presentation on their experience in residence.

• 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