Art at Toolik

Toolik Field Station values the role art plays in sharing science with the public and the insights art provides on scientific thought. In addition to hosting researchers, we welcome artists and writers who are interested in the convergence of art and science. There are several pathways to visiting the station as an artist, not limited to: 1) serving as our annual Artist-in-Residence, 2) supporting a trip with independent funding, and 3) connecting with a reseach team conducting work at Toolik Field Station.

Toolik Field Station partners with the Bureau of Land Management to host artists in the Dalton Highway Artist-in-Residence program. 

Kristin Link sketchbook
Art by Kristin Link, 2023 artist-in-residence
Sketchbook scenes from late summer at Toolik Field Station

Interested in being the next artist?

This year, Toolik Field Station and the BLM are looking for one artist – writer, composer / auditory artist, visual artist, or performing artist — for the Dalton Highway Corridor and Toolik Field Station. During the 5-6 day residency, held in June, July, August, or September (depending on the artist’s availability and support from the BLM and Toolik), the artist will have the opportunity to travel much of the Dalton Highway, speak with land managers and scientific researchers, and pursue their artistic discipline amid Alaska’s inspiring landscapes. This year’s residency will be hosted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Institute of Arctic Biology’s Toolik Field Station, with an opportunity to engage with BLM locations in the Dalton Highway Corridor such as the Arctic Interagency Visitors Center. Toolik Field Station will provide transportation between Fairbanks and the research station. Transportation to Fairbanks is the responsibility of the selected artist.

Applicants will be notified by Friday, April 26, 2024 about the status of their application.

Applications for the 2024 AiR are due Friday, March 29, 2024.

Fill out the application form and email files to hdunleavy@alaska.edu. 

For questions about the application process, please contact Toolik Field Station AiR coordinator Haley Dunleavy at hdunleavy@alaska.edu or 907-474-6407. 

Include the following materials in application packages:  

Application form: Download and fill out the form, and include it with other required elements.

Artist's Preferred Dates of Residency (5-7 days, June–early September) 

Artwork List and Samples: Provide a one-page list of work samples submitted with title, medium, date, and other relevant information that will assist in the evaluation of your work (PDF/MS Word document format). Use your last name and image number in the file name. (For example: Smith_Image01.jpg)

  • Visual Artists (photographers, painters, sculptors, weavers, etc.): Up to 5 images of work, emailed as digital files. Digital submissions must be in JPG or TIFF format, not larger than 2 MB each.
  • Videographers or Performing Artists: At least two productions or segments thereof, not to exceed to 5 minutes total. MPEG file format, emailed, or share a link to the video online such as YouTube, Vimeo, or a personal website.
  • Writers or Poets: Up to 10 pages of writing samples, double-spaced.  Emailed or share a link to the files. Acceptable file formats are MS Word, PDF, HTML.
  • Auditory Artists (composers, sound recorders, etc.): At least two productions or segments thereof, not to exceed to 5 minutes total. Submit as WAV, MP3, WMA, or MPEG MPEG file format, emailed, or share a link to the file. 

Resume: A professional resume, including contact information, exhibition record, fellowships and residencies, and other honors. Also include names and contact information for up to three references who can speak to your ability to complete a residency in a fairly remote, wild setting. Printed, PDF, or MS Word document format, not to exceed 3 pages in length.

Project Proposal: No more than one page in length ( PDF/MS Word document format). Proposal should include:

  • Your experience with outdoor activities in Alaska or similar climate
  • Why you are interested in a BLM artist residency
  • A description of your potential artistic product(s) and relevance of your project to the missions of the BLM and the Toolik Field Station
  • Potential for development of your artistic growth/interests
  • A description of a public presentation to be delivered during the residency or within 6 months of your project

Participating artists are asked to give at least one public demonstration or presentation during the course of their residency. Both the Toolik Field Station and Arctic Interagency Visitor Center have facilities and welcoming audiences.

Upon completion of the residency, the artist is asked to donate to the BLM and Toolik the use of an original piece of artwork from their residency. The artist will retain the copyright and may retain the original if they so choose.  Artwork may be used in exhibits, educational materials, and/or by non-profit partners for items such as postcards or posters.

The AiR is committed to supporting artistic efforts from all mediums that support the public lands. The BLM Central Yukon Field Office and Toolik Field Station will select one Artist-in-Residence for the 2024 season. The selection process is collaborative, with a jury that reviews all complete applications, discusses rankings, and comes to a consensus on the final selection. Artists must be 18 or over. To visit Toolik, they must also be up to date on vaccination against COVID 19 according to CDC guidance, unless they have a medical or religious vaccine exemption.

 Factors considered by the selection committee: 

  • How well does this project embody the importance of public land?
  • How strong is the artistic sample?
  • How qualified and pertinent are the reference providers and what do they have to say?
  • Does the candidate have a sufficient level of experience and knowledge to safely complete the residency?
  • Has a previous artist in residence used a similar media recently? If yes, is the proposal unique?

 TFS Artist-in-Residence - Toolik has had a number of Artists come to the station as Artist-in-Residence.  As part of their stay each has contributed a piece of artwork to the station.  

Interested in being an Artist-in-Resident at TFS? please email uaf-toolik-communication@alaska.edu for more information.

Artist-in-Residence Work at Toolik


In addition to our artist-in-residence program, Toolik Field Station also welcomes artists to the station who have independent funding to support their user day fee and an interest in the convergence of art and science.

Interested artists should contact our communication & DEI manager Haley Dunleavy at hdunleavy@alaska.edu or +1-907-474-6407, who can provide more information about the research conducted at Toolik and connect artists with researchers that have overlapping study subjects or interests.