Artists and Public Lands
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, and 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 stimulate the importance of our public lands in conserving our wildlife and wild places. It is today’s artists who continue this important legacy — painters, writers, sculptors, musicians, composers, and performing artists — inspired by and documenting 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 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: March–April, June–July, and September–October.
The program aspires to share the refuge’s scenic beauty and stories with the public 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.
Artist-In-Residence Requirements
Artwork Donations
Selected artists are asked to donate to the refuge an original piece of work representative of their residency. 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 required to sign a copyright agreement for donated artwork with the Fish and Wildlife Service, under which:
- The artist retains a royalty-free, nonexclusive license to the artwork and may make unlimited use of it for their own purposes. When reproduced elsewhere (magazine, book, online, etc.), publications should include: “This artwork was produced as a result of being a resident artist for the Artist-In-Residence Program at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.”
- These works will be exhibited as frequently as possible and shared with the public through appropriate means. Donated pieces not retained for long-term use in the program’s collection will be displayed and available for purchase at the Friends of Noxubee Refuge gift shop. All proceeds are kept by the nonprofit Friends of Noxubee Refuge to support continued operation of the Artist-in-Residence Program.
- The Fish and Wildlife Service owns the original physical artwork and holds limited rights to reproduce it for promotional purposes. Commercial use of donated artwork is not permitted once it is accessioned into the program’s collection. Artwork and images may be used for promotion of the residency program (online, brochures, etc.), in exhibits, and for educational purposes by the Refuge or Friends of Noxubee Refuge.
Letter of Agreement
By submitting an application, artists enter into a formal agreement with Friends of Noxubee Refuge/Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge Artist-in-Residence Program. Terms include:
- Stipend — A stipend of up to $1,000 is provided at the beginning of the residency, to be used at the artist’s discretion for food, art supplies, travel, or other expenses.
- Housing & Facilities — Housing is provided for the duration of the residency. Artists are expected to maintain facilities in good condition. WiFi is available at the Visitor Center but not at lodging locations.
- Artwork Donation — Artists agree to donate one original piece of artwork representative of their residency no later than one year after its completion.
- Promotion — Artists agree to provide a bio and allow use of images of their work for promotional purposes.
- Reporting — Artists agree to submit a brief written report on their artistic development within 30 days of the end of the 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