ARTIST IN RESIDENCE DESCRIPTION – ARTside ON THE DIVIDE
Position Vacancy: Artist in Residence Positions (2 spaces)
Sponsors: CDT Montana Program Director (MWA), USFS Trails & Recreation Specialist
Location: various options, Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF
Time frame: July 1st – September 30th, 2015
ABOUT THE MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION
Montana Wilderness Association’s mission is to work with communities to protect Montana's
wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations.
As the nation's oldest grassroots wilderness organization, we pursue our mission by educating
and organizing people to protect Montana wildlands and empowering those people to
influence and shape policy on Montana wilderness issues.
ABOUT ARTside ON THE DIVIDE:
ARTside on the Divide is a new Artist in Residence Program launched in 2014 in partnership with
the Montana Wilderness Association and the US Forest Service (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National
Forest). The goal of ARTside on the Divide is to provide artistic and educational opportunities to
promote a deeper appreciation of the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the
Continental Divide ecosystem and adjacent open spaces in our national forests.
Artists of the American West were among the first to record the visual beauty and the drama of
this rugged country on canvas and in photos. Charlie Russell, Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran,
George Catlin and others awakened a nation to the scenic waterfalls, geyser basins, and
wildlife found in what would become some of our nation’s most revered national parks and
forests. John Muir and Henry David Thoreau inspired the world with their writing. Musicians,
composers and other performing artists have likewise found inspiration in our wide open spaces.
They looked beyond nature as a raw resource; they spoke in defense of disappearing wildlife
and vegetation. They saw beauty and virtue in places promised to the future. Their works
continue to foster pleasure and appreciation in others, generating support for the protection
and preservation of our national resources. Today, artists continue to document our landscapes
and resources with contemporary approaches and techniques. The Montana Wilderness
Association hopes to offer a place to make that happen.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
MWA’s ARTside on the Divide offers visual, performing and literary artists a residency from 1-4
weeks long during the summer months (July – September). Two artists are sought for this
opportunity and artists may be adult or youth artists (a parent or guardian must be able to stay
the duration of time with youth artist). Artists may invite 1-2 companions for assistance during stay
or in case of emergency.
ARTside on the Divide artists’ proposals are encouraged to address content related to the
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and build better understanding and dialogue about our
national scenic trails, national forests, natural resources and environmental issues.
LOCATIONS AVAILABLE:
The Forest Service has generously offered the following locations to choose from as “base
camp” for your residency. Reservations will be made based on your dates selected and
availability. Please note that you may not get your first choice of location so thank you in
advance for your flexibility. Artists are asked to select your top three choices in order to best mix
and match FS needs and your preference of locations.

Backcountry on the CDT w/ stock support, BDNF (if possible)

Backcountry on the CDT solo, BDNF (self-supported)

Bender Cabin (USFS Admin Cabin, backcountry)

Campground near CDT (self-supported, decide and tell us where you’re car-camping)

Fleecer Cabin (USFS Admin Cabin, late September only, car access)

Homestake Lodge (limited time/space, pending approval, car access)

Mystic Lake Cabin (USFS Admin Cabin, backcountry)

Twin Lakes Cabin (USFS Rental Cabin, backcountry)

Whitehall Work Center (former FS office/bunkhouse, car access)
SOLO TRIPPING:
You do have the option to travel on your own to a trailhead or into the backcountry along the
CDT for your residency. If you choose this option you should be prepared and have prior
experience in Montana’s backcountry. You will likely be asked to carry a FS radio (or other
communication device such as a SPOT transmitter) and be required to check-in each day to
ensure your safety. We know many folks do not need communication support, but since you’re
taking part in a FS program we thank you in advance for understanding why your safety is of
utmost importance to us.
BACKCOUNTRY PACK SUPPORT:
For some locations and dates CDT Montana *may* be able to help coordinate pack support for
your gear (camping and artist materials). Again, this largely depends on your flexibility of dates
and location once you are selected for the program. Do not plan on this as your first option, but
it could be arranged if the stars are aligned.
RESIDENCY DATES AVAILABLE:
Cabin stays will be scheduled based on your choices and cabin availability. You will be
expected to confirm your dates with MWA’s CDT Montana program staff as soon as you are
accepted to the program in early June (or sooner if applicable).
This is a partner project with the USFS and MWA, however, all participants will be registered as
MWA volunteers via the CDT Montana volunteer trail stewardship program.
MEALS, GEAR, LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION:

MEALS: Meals are responsibility of artist.

OUTDOOR GEAR: If you choose to hike, camp or travel in the backcountry during your
stay you are to provide your own outdoor gear.

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is responsibility of artist. Check with CDT Montana staff
or the local USFS office for road conditions before your stay.

LODGING: Artists and guests will be expected to adhere to all USFS regulations and
policies as outlined in General Rules of rental system use.

NOTE: MWA and USFS will jointly provide a $250 stipend to each artist to help offset costs
of food, travel and artwork preparation for program. Funds will be dispersed at end of
the field season in the fall (October/November). To be eligible for the stipend, artists
must complete their stay by September 30 th and commit (with signed agreement) to
create presentation in spring 2015.

PRESENTATION: The spring presentation will recap your stay and travel on the CDT during
your residency. The presentation must be uploaded online for public shared use
(YouTube or other method) and capture the spirit of your working process, feature your
final artwork and be proficiently executed. Please consider the details of your
presentation when you submit your application so you are prepared to offer a good
quality, final presentation.
BASIC CONDITIONS OF POSITION:
All employees and volunteers of Montana Wilderness Association are ambassadors of the
organization and are expected to support and fulfill the mission of the organization. All
employees, regardless of title, must demonstrate the following minimum requirements for
continued employment/volunteer consideration. In addition, it is the employee/volunteer
responsibility to read, understand and comply with the policies and procedures outlined in
MWA’s personnel policy.

Professional Conduct: Comply with established employment policies and practices.

Maintain confidentiality of organization and employee information.

Accept direction and provide direction in a cooperative and positive manner.

Personal conduct: Engage in personal conduct that is honest, respectful, courteous, and
dignified as well as legal, ethical, dependable and reliable.

Competency: Develop and maintain skills, knowledge and abilities required for adequate
performance of assigned job duties.
TO APPLY FOR 2015 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: ARTside ON THE DIVIDE:
Open to all professional artists. Two artists will be chosen to participate in the 2015 program
(collaborative groups will be considered). All selected artists will need to do the community
extension part of program in Montana at their own expense using the $250 stipend provided.
For consideration, please send the following information:
1.
Complete online application here. Select ARTside on Divide as "volunteer" option.
2.
Email resume, letter of intent, letter of reference - digital copies only, not mailed. Send to
Shannon Freix: sfreix@wildmontana.org.
3.
Examples of your work, 3-6 samples emailed or online link to gallery (online link preferred).
Letter of intent should include:

What you hope to achieve from your experience in this program including how you will
communicate your artistic vision as it relates to wilderness, the CDT and/or nature.

The value of this opportunity to your artistic growth.

Ideas for a public presentation following your residency.
NOTES:

Youth applicants must provide MWA with a hard copy of liability waiver with signatures from
parent and youth artists.

Applications must be received by May 31st, 2015. Notification of accepted and declined
applications will be sent by June 30, 2015. Late applications will not be considered.

If you are applying as a collaborative group, all artists in the collaboration must EACH submit
an online registration and individual letter of reference, but group may use one, shared letter
of intent to outline project.

Additional paperwork may be required by USFS before cabin stay.

Questions? Contact Shannon Freix at sfreix@wildmontana.org or 406-499-2309.