The University of Illinois Springfield’s Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon welcomes artists working in any genre (including but not limited to painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, handwork, music, dance, creative writing) to apply for our new Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR). The program aims to forge a connection between the science of the floodplain restoration and artistic perspective of the Emiquon Preserve. Our goal is to build a community of artists and to provide space for them to create unique interpretive works of art.

The Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon is located within The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve and provides researchers and students of all ages with the opportunity to study, explore, and learn from this unique floodplain restoration project. Restoration began at the Emiquon Preserve in 2000, and it remains one of the largest floodplain restoration projects in the Midwest. In 2012, the Emiquon Complex (consisting of the Emiquon Preserve, Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, and Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge.

Artists in Residence are provided with the following:

• Access to the Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, one of the Midwest’s largest floodplain restoration projects and a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance. A diverse ecosystem abounds in habitats, which include prairie, bottomland forest, and wetlands.
• Opportunities to learn about the preserve through discussions, programs, and field work. *Dependent upon current TFSE project scheduling during AIR.
• Ability to pursue your own creative projects in TFSE’s classroom or lab or out in the Preserve.
• Private room* at the Therkildsen Field Station at $20 per night.
• Space to promote their work on TFSE’s website and social media platforms, on the UIS campus, and through local media outlets as applicable.
  
  *Rooms are dormitory style. Artist must provide their own bedding, transportation, and meals. TFSE is equipped with a kitchen, cooking utensils and dishes, on-site laundry, showers, and Wi-Fi.
  

We require that each Artist in Residence:

• Take time to learn about the history and science of the floodplain restoration.
• Engage with the outdoor natural environment of the site
• Create work inspired by the Emiquon Preserve
• Lead one informal public event to share approach and present work through a lecture, installation, reading, show or other appropriate outlet at the culmination of the residency (organized and hosted by the artist in collaboration with TFSE). Date is TBD prior to the beginning of the residency to ensure adequate time for planning and promotion.
• Share your story and a significant outcome of your time as a resident artist.
• Give permission to TFSE to publish work in some form and/or donate piece to be on public display at TFSE.
  

TFSE’s Artist in Residency program is an award for up to a four-week experience at the station throughout the year. Funding may be available to offset the cost of housing, transportation, meals, project materials, and event supplies.

E-mail the following application materials as one PDF file to TFSE Education Coordinator & Facility Manager Christa Christensen:

• Please describe your process, your inspiration, and your background (250 words or less).
• Include a residency proposal describing how your work connects to the natural world and science. Please include details on how your work connects to the Emiquon Preserve and could be inspired by this opportunity (250 words or less).
• Include your preferred project start and end date. While we aim to accommodate your first choice, space is limited, and we may need to consider alternative dates depending on room availability.
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