Sand, grass and sky meet above Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, host of an artist-in-residence program in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula

For centuries artists have interpreted the natural beauty of America’s wild and remote places, and creative folks are encouraged to continue that tradition through more than 50 National Park Service Artist-in-Residence programs.

Get away from distractions (except the natural kind) and be inspired at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Michigan has a variety of opportunities for artists-in-residence, at three national parks—Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—plus Mackinac State Historic Parks on Mackinac Island and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Western Upper Peninsula, and the private program at remote, undeveloped Rabbit Island in Lake Superior.

These are for the writers, musicians and visual artists who long to escape to the wilderness, where the surroundings inspire creativity and there’s little to distract them from their work. 

Artists-in-residence are selected through an application process unique to each park, and specifics vary as to genre accepted, length of stay, type of accommodations, and expectations. Requirements may include that the artist present a public program and donate one work created during the residency. 

Check out the 2019 details and application process for each by clicking the location:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – December 31, 2018 deadline

Isle Royale National Park – Application period is January 2 – February 16

Mackinac State Historic Parks – January 31 deadline

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – February 15 deadline

Rabbit Island – February 15 deadline

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore  – April 15 deadline

These residencies are not quite as remote as those at the parks, but still offer a fresh perspective and away-from-it-all experience:

Good Hart Artist Residency  – January 31 deadline
A series of residencies at a private home in the Northwest Lower Peninsula Village of Good Hart, in cooperation with several local organizations.

Glen Arbor Art Association – February 7 deadline
Two week residency in Glen Arbor, near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Looking for a creative retreat? Here are a few in northern Michigan:

North of 45 Writers Retreat – April at Erickson Center for the Arts in the Upper Peninsula Village of Curtis, in cooperation with Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

Above the Bridge Songwriters Weekends – June at Erickson Center for the Arts in the Upper Peninsula Village of Curtis, in cooperation with Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn

Lost Lake Writers Retreat  – October 19-13, 2019 at a private resort in the Northeast Lower Peninsula (Alcona County) between Lake Huron and Hubbard Lake

Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters – October 31-November 10, 2019 at Birchwood Inn, Harbor Springs

Also in the Great Lakes Region: