Become An Isle Royale Teen Artist

Houghton, MI – Isle Royale National Park (NP) is now accepting applications for the summer 2017 Isle Royale Teen Artist Exploration. The artistic discovery is geared to all aspiring teen artists who want to develop their art through experiencing wilderness, and is open to all visual and performing artists, writers, and composers ages 13 to 18 at time of participation.

Elisha Houle, the 2016 teen artist said of her time on Isle Royale: “Isle Royale and the Teen Artist-In-Residence Program has opened my life to so many amazing things. My art has taken on a new dynamic; I appreciate so much more the wild and natural ways of life the Island showed me.”

Over the course of 1 to 2 weeks between June and August, the selected teen artist can explore the island as he or she would like–hike and backpack along wave-washed shores, canoe quiet bays of Lake Superior, or take boat tours. An artistic mentor will provide coaching during the artistic and wilderness exploration. Let the solitude and serenity of the island inspire your creativity.

The selected artist will be a park volunteer and be required to donate a piece of artwork representative of their stay on Isle Royale to the park. If seventeen or younger, a legal guardian must accompany the teen artist.

Isle Royale NP, Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association, and the Copper Country Community Arts Council sponsor the program. Information about island accommodations, transportation, teen artist selection, and more can be found on our website: www.nps.gov/isro/getinvolved/teen-artist.htm or call (906) 482-0984.

How To Apply

All artist’s work must be original. The park considers all forms of art except those that manipulate or disturb the park’s environment. In your application package, please include the following:

1. If seventeen or younger, discuss the Isle Royale Teen Artist Exploration with a parent or guardian. Once you have permission to apply, have him or her sign the line below where it says “Parent or Guardian Signature.”  Submit this page with your application.

This applicant has my permission to apply for the Isle Royale Artist in Residence program.  I understand that a parent or guardian must accompany the teen artist.

Printed name of Parent or Guardian:  ______________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature: ___________________________________

2. Answer the following question: Why do you want to become an Isle Royale Teen Artist?  You can answer this question any way you want (essay, video, drawing, song – it’s completely up to you). Please be sure to include:

• Your name
• Your contact information (phone, address, email)
• Your age
• The type of art you create

3. Submit a Letter of Recommendation.  Ask a teacher, boss, or other mentor to write about why you should be the Isle Royale Teen Artist.  This letter of recommendation can be given to you and turned in with your other application materials.
4. One sample of artwork.
5. Summer 2017 Availability Verification: June – August dates you and your guardian would be available to travel to Isle Royale for your 1-2 week exploration.

Submit the above materials, postmarked, by March 27, 2017 to:

• Mail:  ATTN:  Isle Royale Teen Artist, Isle Royale National Park, 800 E. Lakeshore Dr. Houghton, MI 49931
• Email:  ISRO_Parkinfo@nps.gov
• Drop off: At the Isle Royale Houghton Visitor Center (address same as mailing address above). Open Monday-Friday, 8:15 am to 4 pm EST.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 417 parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.