Artist in Residence Program

Geographic Scope: Minnesota, US (Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis)

Program Overview: The Artist in Residence program supports artists in creating unique deliverable products, programs, or events at Lakewood Cemetery. The grant must result in a tangible outcome that will be presented to the public. All projects become temporary exhibitions or performances; art will not remain permanently at Lakewood.

Key Details

• Award Amount: $500 – $10,000 per artist/group
• Number of Awards: 2 – 4 artists selected annually
• Residency Period: May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027
• Award Notifications: Between January 22 – 31, 2026

Funding Structure

• 50% of award upon acceptance
• 50% upon completion of residency

Eligible Project Types

• Physical art (paintings, sculptures) – displayed temporarily in Welcome Center gallery
• Performances or readings – presented in approved buildings or outdoor areas
• Collaborative projects (pairs, groups, collectives welcome – submit single application)

Constraints & Requirements

• Must not interfere with family services (funerals, burials, grave visits, receptions, etc.)
• Must not impact, alter, or affect Lakewood's plant collections, monuments, buildings, waters, wildlife, landscaping, or grounds
• No permanent installations or art at graves/markers
• Non-physical experiences cannot be presented at graves/markers
• Artists must coordinate with Lakewood staff
• No office or studio space provided by Lakewood
• Art cannot remain permanently at the cemetery

What Lakewood Will Cover

• Use of site and buildings (with staff permission)
• Installation materials for framed artworks
• Rentals for performances/receptions: tables, chairs, 3-10×10' pop-up tents, 8×12' stage
• Refreshments for receptions/events
• AV equipment (mics, speakers; note: limited capacity for extensive AV needs)
• Photography by house photographer (for artist use with proper credit)

Artist Stipend Should Cover

• Artist's time
• Travel and accommodations (if not local)
• Materials and supplies for art creation/performance
• Materials for workshops
• Costs for additional performers, musicians, collaborators
• Framing or printing costs

Selection Criteria

A cross-departmental Lakewood staff jury selects artists based on:

• Strength of project proposals
• Positive impact for the community

How to Apply

1. Complete the online application form available at lakewoodcemetery.org/air-application/
   • Form opens: October 20, 2025
   • Form closes: December 15, 2025
2. Application Requirements:
   • Single application for individual artists, pairs, groups, or collectives
   • Project proposal describing the deliverable product, program, or event
   • Stipend request detailing costs (see "What Lakewood Will Cover" section for eligible expenses)
   • Artist/team background and qualifications
3. Submission Format: Online form only
4. Technical Issues:
   • If you receive a "unable to send to backend" or "reCAPTCHA was not entered correctly" error, your application may have gone through
   • Email amandal@lakewoodcemetery.org to confirm receipt
5. Timeline:
   • Application deadline: December 15, 2025
   • Award notifications: Between January 22 – 31, 2026
   • Residency begins: May 1, 2026

Questions

Contact Amanda Luke, Community Engagement Manager, at amandal@lakewoodcemetery.org