Creative Residencies
North Cascades Institute inspires and empowers environmental stewardship for all through transformative experiences in nature. We believe creativity and the arts are essential ways of connecting with the natural world. We invite working artists, writers, and naturalists from a broad range of disciplines to apply for our Creative Residency program at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.
The Creative Residency program brings creative practitioners working across genres—poets, naturalists, painters, essayists, dancers, novelists, photographers, sculptors, teachers, printmakers, memoirists, researchers, and others who use the creative process to explore and interpret the natural world—to the Learning Center to pursue their work and demonstrate the many forms creativity can take.
Painting by poet and naturalist Ilona Popper
Creative Residents enrich the Institute community by sparking new conversations within programs, supporting professional and personal growth among staff and participants, and introducing new audiences to North Cascades Institute.
Residency Periods
Residencies range from one week to three months and include workspace, a private room, and, as available, meals.
We are currently seeking proposals for residencies taking place in Fall 2026 (September 21–November 22).
A call for proposals for 2027 residencies will be announced at a later date.
Map artist Véronique Robigou led an activity of artistic mapping during her residency
Applying for the Creative Residency
To apply for a Fall 2026 Creative Residency (Sept. 21–Nov. 22), please prepare to submit the following materials using the Creative Residency Application Form:
- Your résumé or CV
- Examples of past work
- A brief proposal addressing these 6 questions:
What creative project do you intend to pursue, and why is the Learning Center campus an appropriate and inspiring place to do this work?
How long would you hope to reside at the Learning Center, and when would you be available?
What resources or working environment do you need to complete your project?
How would you involve the Learning Center community in your creative process?
What lasting contribution would your residency make to North Cascades Institute? (For example, visual artists often donate a piece of artwork or photography, and writers may donate a published edition of their completed work to the library. Residents are also asked to write a brief blog post reflecting on their experience.)
PRIORITY DEADLINE: Apply by May 15, 2026
FINAL DEADLINE: Apply by May 31, 2026
If you have questions, please contact Nathan Drapela, Learning Center Programs Manager at nathan_drapela@ncascades.org.
Meet past Creative Residents
Photo by Pablo McLoud