Organizer Information
The Glen Arbor Arts Center (GAAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Founded in the 1990s, the center is dedicated to enriching the community through the arts and is nestled within the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Suzanne Wilson Artist-in-Residence Program was established in memory of Suzanne Wilson, a founding member and local painter. The GAAC serves as a hub for visual arts, music, and literature, offering workshops, exhibitions, and community events that draw inspiration from the unique Lake Michigan shoreline and the surrounding Leelanau County wilderness.
Title & Description
Suzanne Wilson Artist-in-Residence Program 2026
This residency program provides a retreat for artists to focus on their creative practice away from the distractions of daily life. The 2026 season offers two-week residencies in a stunning natural environment that includes miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, wooded hills, and the Crystal River. The program is designed to allow artists to "hit the ground running," providing a dedicated space for experimentation and exploration. Residents are integrated into the local culture through a community presentation during their stay, fostering a connection between visiting artists and the Glen Arbor community.
Categories
The residency is open to solo practitioners in the following disciplines:
- Visual Arts: Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Mixed Media, Fiber Arts.
- 3D & Ceramics: Sculpture and functional/artistic clay work.
- Creative Writing: Poetry, short stories, and articles (published or unpublished).
- Music Composition: Scores and recorded performances.
Eligibility
- Solo Artists: The program is for solo practitioners only; groups or collaborative teams are not considered.
- Independent Work: Applicants must be able to work independently.
- Residency History: Artists who have held a GAAC residency in the preceding three years (2023, 2024, or 2025) are ineligible.
- Physical Requirements: The provided housing is a second-floor walk-up apartment that is not handicap accessible; residents must be able to climb stairs unassisted.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Housing: Free accommodation in a furnished second-floor apartment in the village of Glen Arbor.
- Studio Space: Access to a rustic, seasonal studio in a converted tool shed at the historic Thoreson Farm within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (approx. 3.7 miles from the village).
- Equipment: The Thoreson Farm studio includes easels, tables, and specific ceramic tools (electric/raku kilns, wheels, slab roller).
- Local Hosting: Each resident is assigned a local host to help them acclimate to the area.
- Professional Exposure: Opportunity to share work with the community through a required public presentation on the second Thursday of the residency.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $35 is required. There are no other residency fees.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit an online form with the following:
- Resume: PDF format (Max 1MB).
- Residency Proposal: succinctly describing an action plan and goals (four specific questions, each 50–100 words max).
- Work Samples: * Visual Artists: 6–8 high-quality images (JPG/GIF/PNG, 2MB max per image, 1200 pixels minimum on long side).
- Non-Visual Artists: 3 work samples in a single PDF (Max 1MB).
- Preferred Dates: Selection of three preferred two-week blocks from the available sessions.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 6 January 2026
- Notification Date: Mid-March 2026.
- Residency Blocks:
- Session 1: May 3 – May 16
- Session 2: May 17 – May 3
- Session 3: May 31 – June 13
- Session 4: Aug 9 – Aug 22
- Session 5: Aug 23 – Sept 5
- Session 6: Sept 6 – Sept 19
- Session 7: Sept 20 – Oct 3
Location
Glen Arbor, Michigan, United States
Additional Details
A car is highly recommended as the studio is 3.7 miles from the village housing. Residents must bring their own linens and towels. Painting and art-making are prohibited inside the apartment. Artists may be asked to donate one piece of work created during the residency to the GAAC permanent collection.