David Barr Artist Residency at Michigan Legacy Art Park

Overview:

Michigan Legacy Art Park, a nonprofit arts and culture organization in northern Michigan, is seeking artists to apply for the 2025 David Barr Residency program. The annual residency is supported by the Art Park’s Charles McGee Art Fund that was established to support new and emerging Michigan artists by providing a creative retreat with lodging, studio space, honorarium, materials budget, and the inspiration of the Art Park. 

Mission:

The Mission of Michigan Legacy Art Park (the Art Park) is to inspire awareness, appreciation and passion for Michigan’s history and stories, culture, and the environment through the arts. Since its founding in 1995, the Art Park completes this mission through the operation of a 31-acre forested, public sculpture park in Thompsonville with programs and services on-site and in classrooms across northwest Michigan. The Art Park is located in the heart of Crystal Mountain. It has over 50 sculptures in the permanent collection; a gallery of temporary sculpture by emerging artists; poetry stones with verse that reflects the natural setting; an amphitheater for concerts and events; a quarter mile accessible trail and 2-miles of natural trails; and a Discovery Grove for student activities and programs. Over 20,000 visitors are served annually including residents and visitors of Benzie, Manistee, Mason, Lake, Oceana, Kalkaska, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Wexford Counties in Michigan.

Important Dates For Residency:

February 15, 2025 — Online Applications Open 

March 31, 2025 — Application Deadline

April 17, 2025– Notifications Sent to All Applicants

Artist Responsibilities:

Attend welcome event with Art Park guests

Provide a program for students at the Art Park during the residency

Provide a public presentation about the creative process with a Q&A

Provide work of art for the Art Park to exhibit

 

Lodging and workshop Space Is available for use, If desired. Residency dates with lodging is dependent on availability at:

Jean Parsons Center for Arts & Sciences
5833 Bellows Lake Road
Lake Ann, Michigan 49650
Private Residence and Studio Spaces

Residency Location:

Michigan Legacy Art Park
Physical Address for GPS Navigation
7300 Mountainside Dr
Thompsonville, Michigan 49683

What Is Provided:

• $1,500 honorarium to contribute against your travel, living expenses and materials (including art materials and supplies) during the residency. Upon acceptance of the residency offer, half ($750) is mailed to the artist. The remaining balance is paid at the end of the residency.
• The Art Park will exhibit work completed during your residency for 24 months. The Art Park reserves the right to consider the piece for the permanent collection, pending further discussion with the residency artist.
• The Art Park will host a welcome reception and meal for you with the staff, Board of Directors, and supporters upon your arrival.
• The Art Park will hosts a student activity during the residency and a public presentation and Q&A at the end of the residency.
• You can decide how much engagement or solitude you would like, but the Art Park staff is always available to help you. The Parsons Center also has a full-time caretaker onsite.
• Lodging is available at the Jean Parsons Center for Arts & Scienceswith exclusive use of the private residence that has two bedrooms, living spaces, kitchen, and bathrooms. The residence was Jean Parson’s beloved home for much of her life as an acclaimed artist and educator. It’s been lovingly restored in Mid-Century style and has a view of Parsons Lake. There is Wi-Fi connectivity at the property and a landline for local calls.
• Lodging includes exclusive use of the Center’s studio spaces and classrooms located a short walk across the property.  Tools are available for your use. 
• The Parsons Center has eighty-six acres of outdoor space where you can walk, think and be inspired by nature. We believe nature is a huge ingredient for inspiration and a vital part of our mission to celebrate it.
• Located just 20 minutes southwest of The Parsons Center in Lake Ann, the thirty-acre Michigan Legacy Art Park provides creative inspiration with over fifty sculptures along 2 miles of hiking trails.  The Park is open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. Autumn is a spectacular time to experience the Park. We’ll give you a private guided tour and you are welcome to explore the Park on your own.

Requirements:

You agree to all scheduled dates and times and to complete your residency during the entire two-week period, including:

Attend welcome event with Art Park guests

Provide a Program for Students at the Art Park during the residency

Provide a public presentation about your creative process with a Q&A

• You agree to provide one artwork for public display at the Art Park for a period of up to 24 months.  The Art Park reserves the right to consider the piece for the permanent collection, pending further discussion with the artist.
• You agree to create and explore projects that connect to nature, history and culture. The Residency is named in memory of David Barr, the Art Park’s visionary founder. He had an expansive view of art and its connections to many disciplines. 
• You agree to participate in a public event near the end of the residency sharing your vision, creative process, and the technical aspects of the work you are completing.  The Art Park staff will work with you to get your ideas and customize a final “give-back” to our community of supporters. Our intent is to let you focus on your work, but our request is that you share that experience with the Park’s visitors     .
• You agree to participate in an educational program for area students, which Art Park staff will coordinate.
• You must be available for the full residency period, dates to be determined.
• You must complete a free online application by 11:59 PM EST on March 31, 2025. Selection and notifications will be made by April 17, 2025.
• You must verify you live in Michigan.
• You must be eighteen years of age or older and a legal U.S. resident at the time of application. If selected, the residency will require you to complete a W9 tax form and agree to our Code of Conduct contract and terms. You will also be required to sign a separate lodging agreement with the Parsons Center if staying on site.           
• You must provide your own transportation to and from the residency location. The honorarium can be used against associated travel costs.

You agree to provide one artwork for public display at the Art Park for a period of up to 24 months.  The Art Park reserves the right to consider the piece for the permanent collection, pending further discussion with the artist.

About the Charles McGee Art Fund

Michigan Legacy Art Park Founder David Barr (1939-2015) and Detroit artist Charles McGee (1924-2021) were colleagues and friends. Both men shared the same values and passion for community, and a belief in the unique power of art as a teaching tool.

The Art Park created a fellowship in McGee’s name to support the next generation of sculptors through residencies that provide emerging artists with precious resources: time, space, support, and inspiration they need to further their creative work.

An emerging artist is not defined by age but as an artist who is at the beginning of their career, and who has created a modest independent body of work. The Art Park will consider the significance, scope, critical reviews, and awards of an emerging artist who shows significant potential.

Working primarily outdoors, Charles McGee Fund artists in residence will be invited to use the 31-acre park as their studio and inspiration — creating artworks that may be ephemeral or more permanent in nature.

 

About the Jean Parsons Center for Arts & Sciences

Eastern Michigan University’s Parsons Center for Arts and Sciences is an interdisciplinary, educational center and natural area located in northern Michigan. The Parsons Center is the legacy of the late Jean Noble Parsons, renowned sculptor and potter, and is run by the College of Arts & Sciences with special attention from the School of Art & Design.

Selection Process

The Collections Committee awards the David Barr Residency to an artist whose samples of artwork submitted, artist statement, and experiences best align with and further the mission and values of Michigan Legacy Art Park.