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.
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.
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. The Fish and Wildlife Service 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 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.
Letter of Agreement
By submitting this application, you are entering into a formal agreement with Friends of Noxubee Refuge/Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge Artist-in-Residence Program. Please read the following terms carefully before submitting.
Stipend A stipend of up to $1,000 will be provided at the beginning of your residency and may be used at your discretion for food, art supplies, travel, or other expenses.
Housing & Facilities Housing will be provided for the duration of your residency. You are expected to maintain the facilities in good condition during your stay. WiFi is available at the Visitor Center but not at lodging locations.
Artwork Donation You agree to donate one original piece of artwork representative of your residency no later than one year after its completion.
Promotion You agree to provide a bio and allow the use of images of your work for promotional purposes.
Reporting You agree to submit a brief written report on your artistic development within 30 days of the end of your residency.
Dispute Resolution Any disputes will be referred to a neutral mediator agreed upon by both parties.
If you prefer to download and fill out a copy of the agreement, download the Agreement – mail it to:
Friends of Noxubee Refuge
13723 Bluff Lake Road
Brooksville, Ms 39739