Artist at Pine Needles (Science Museum of Minnesota) 2026 Call for Emerging Artists & Writers
The St. Croix Watershed Research Station invites emerging artist applications for the 2026 Artist at Pine Needles Residency Program. The application window is open from December 19, 2025 through February 22, 2026.
With a vision to enhance scientific understanding through art, this unique residency supports artists and writers whose work explores the intersection of art, science, and the natural world. This experience provides residents an opportunity to engage with the scientific staff of the Research Station and Science Museum of Minnesota to foster a deeper connection between creative expression and natural history science. Since its founding in 2002, the Artist at Pine Needles program has welcomed 80 artists and writers to its historic cabin on the bluffs of the St. Croix River in Marine on St. Croix, MN.
The 2026 program is dedicated exclusively to emerging artists and writers across disciplines whose work explores the intersection of art and science. This temporary focus reflects a strategic investment in early-career artists, providing them with time, resources, and direct engagement with scientists to advance their creative work rooted in art–science inquiry. Established artists are not eligible for the 2026 season.
Eligibility: Eligible emerging artists have fewer than six years of exhibit and/or publication history in their medium, demonstrate clear artistic achievement in their work, and are not yet widely recognized as established artists by other artists, curators, critics, or arts administrators.
Residency Details: Selected residents will receive a stipend of $650 per week while in residence at the historic Pine Needles Cabin, and up to $600 in travel support, if needed. Residents are also required to design and lead a community outreach project, such as a workshop, lecture, or demonstration, and donate an original work inspired by their residency experience to the Research Station within one year of their residency.
Artists selected for the 2025 season were cultural and historical writer Haley Prochnow (WI), environmental writer Greg Seitz (MN), emerging scientific illustrator Kristine Murphy (MN), and emerging artist duo Natalie Deam (IA), printmaker, and Zoё Fay-Stindt (NC), ecological artist and writer.
How to Apply: Application materials and instructions are available at smm.org/scwrs/pine-needles/. Applications must be received by 11:59 PM CST, February 22, 2026.
For additional information, please contact program manager Alaina Fedie at researchstation@smm.org or (651) 433-5953 ext. 12.
