The Round One application deadline for the 2027 Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency Program is Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Artist will be contacted about the status of their application, and whether or not they were invited to Round Two of the application process by June 9th, 2026. 

Since 2001, the Lanesboro Artist Residency Program has welcomed early career artists of all disciplines to live, work and create in the rural context of the greater Lanesboro community. Supported through 2027 by the Jerome Foundation, the Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency Program awards two to three residencies per year to early career artists with projects that activate the people & places of Lanesboro while instigating positive change. The program’s place-based and community-engaged focus is geared toward early career artists that are driven to explore ways in which their work can be applied to the community and how Lanesboro’s rural community can inform their work. Artist Residents utilize a dynamic and compelling array of community assets as a catalytic vehicle for engagement and artistic experimentation, while benefiting from dedicated live/work space and ample time to create.

• Residency Program Guidelines & Eligibility Criteria
• Residency Program Application

Since 2024, Lanesboro Arts has implemented a two-round application process for the Early Career Artist Residency Program, in response to feedback from artists. The two-step application process is meant to alleviate some of the time-consuming nature of applications. 

Round One of the application process asks for basic information about the artist, their demographics, and a bit about the proposed project. Round One applications are due May 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Applications are then reviewed by Lanesboro Arts staff for alignment and best fit with program mission and goals. Following review, applicants will be notified of their application status by June 9th. A smaller pool of selected applicants will then be invited to apply for Round Two, which includes more detail about the artist and their proposed community project. Round Two applications are due August 1st, 2026 at 11:59 pm and are reviewed by a diverse jury of artists from around the state of Minnesota.

Please contact Artistic Director Melissa Wray at melissa@lanesboroarts.org with questions about the Residency Program, future project ideas, the community engagement component, etc.

For information on upcoming, current, and/or past Early Career Artists-in-Residence, visit this page.