Artist in residence information and application

Artist-In-Residence at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge
A partnership between MSU Department of Art in the College of Architecture, Art and Design and the Friends of the Noxubee Refuge. 

Artist Application
Artists have had a long-standing impact on the formation, expansion, and direction of our national public lands. J.N. “Ding” Darling was a renowned editorial cartoonist who advocated conservation of our nation’s natural resources.  As father of the Federal Duck Stamp Program, founder of the National Wildlife Federation, creator of the Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit Program, “Ding” Darling and his artwork laid the groundwork for the systems of today’s National Wildlife Refuges. It was the visual records of early artists that helped to stimulate the importance of our public lands in conserving our wildlife and wild places. It is today’s artist that can continue this important legacy. Today, painters, writers, sculptors, musicians, composers, and performing artists continue to be inspired by and document our national landscapes with contemporary approaches and techniques. Artists are needed to translate the national wildlife refuge’s purpose, as a place where wildlife comes first, into images and other forms of art that bring enjoyment and a deeper understanding of the refuges. The Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi State University Department of Art, and the Friends of Noxubee Refuge are partnering on this Artist-In-Residence Program to continue this tradition.

Artist-In-Residence Program
The Artist-In-Residence Program at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge offers professional writers, composers, and visual artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline while being surrounded by the refuge’s inspiring landscape and wildlife. Selected artists stay in refuge housing for two to four weeks during each of three periods from March-April, June-July, and September-October.

The Artist-In-Residence Program aspires to share with the public the scenic beauty and stories of the refuge through the world of art. Artists will have the opportunity to participate in the daily and seasonal activities of park rangers, such as monitoring wildlife, as well as special events including acting as juror for the Federal Duck Stamp Program or the MSU Student Juried Exhibit.

Artists-In-Residence Requirements
Artwork Donations: Selected artists participating in the Artist-In-Residence Program are asked to donate to the refuge an original piece of work from, and representative of their residency in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. This piece will serve to promote and celebrate the refuge and its wildlife. Donated artwork must be received no later than one year after an artist’s residency. Artists are also required to provide the copyright for this artwork to the Fish and Wildlife Service and Mississippi State University. The Fish and Wildlife Service and Mississippi State University will not allow the commercial use of any donated artwork once accessioned into the program’s collection. Artwork may be used in exhibits and for educational purposes by Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi State University, or Friends of Noxubee Refuge nonprofit cooperating association for their products.
1.    The artist retains a royalty-free, nonexclusive use license under the copyright of the art.
2.    The Fish and Wildlife Service owns the artwork and the rights to reproduce it. Under those rights, the artist has a license to make use of the artwork for his or her purposes. When artists reproduce artwork for their own purposes, publication information will include the language:
“This artwork was produced under Sam’s Artist-In-Residence Program at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.”

These creative works will be exhibited as frequently as possible and shared with the public through other appropriate means. Donated pieces not used for long-term use within the program’s collection will be displayed and available for purchase at Friends of Noxubee Refuge gift shop.

All proceeds from these sales will be kept by the non-profit Friends of Noxubee Refuge and used for continued support of Sam’s Artist-In-Residence Program. These funds will be used to offset program operational costs.

How to Apply
Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year with no deadline. Artist must indicate the desired date of stay on the application.

The Selection Process:  A panel consisting of staff from Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR, Mississippi State University Department of Art, Starkville Area Arts Council and Friends of Noxubee refuge will meet 30 days prior to notification deadlines to choose artists and alternates for each session. Selection is based on artistic merit, the Statement of Purpose, and appropriateness to a national wildlife refuge residency..

Program Management: Sam‘s Artist-In-Residence Program is managed by the main office of the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. It is a newly established program developed in partnership with Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi State University Department of Art, and Friends of Noxubee Refuge. The works completed under this program contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of our national wildlife refuges and create a legacy for future generations.

List of past Artists in Residence

Artist Application