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 research team conducting work at Toolik Field Station.

Toolik Field Station partners with the Bureau of Land Management to host artists in the . 

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, the BLM ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and Toolik Field Station are offering a collaborative Dalton Highway Artist-in-Residence opportunity. It will run for seven to ten days between June and early September 2025, with exact dates at the discretion of the artist. During the residency, 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 ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’s inspiring landscapes. Artists are encouraged to split their time between one of the BLM cabins or campgrounds and at the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks Institute of Arctic Biology’s Toolik Field Station, and/or at a remote, backcountry location, depending on the interests and outdoor experience of the selected artist. Artists can be hosted for up to five days at a BLM facility, as well as up to five days at Toolik Field Station. 

The BLM will provide the selected artist with transportation from Fairbanks to the residency location(s) as well as provide housing and/or camping equipment, satellite phone, and emergency equipment (including first-aid kit). Transportation to Fairbanks is the responsibility of the selected artist. While at Toolik Field Station, artists will be provided with meals, housing and will have the opportunity to connect with researchers currently working at the field station.

Application materials are due to the BLM by Friday, March 28, 2025.

Applications for the 2025 AiR are due Friday, March 28, 2025.

Send all application materials to the BLM at:

Attention: Brian Perry
Central Yukon Field Office
222 University Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99709

Email: bjperry@blm.gov

For questions about Toolik Field Station, contact communications manager Haley Dunleavy at (907) 474-6407 or hdunleavy@alaska.edu.

Include the following materials in application packages:  

Artist's Preferred Dates of Residency (7-10 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 (printed, or 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, shared on a digital drive, or mailed as prints or 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. Printed and mailed, or 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 (printed, or PDF/MS Word document format). Proposal should include:

  • Your experience with outdoor activities in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø 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 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 Toolik Field Station and Arctic Interagency Visitor Center have facilities and welcoming audiences.

As part of the program, the artist is asked to donate to the BLM and Toolik Field Station the use of an original piece of artwork from the residency. The artist will have to complete a Volunteer Service Agreement where they have the option to either retain the copyright and the original artwork or allow the BLM to retain the original artwork for use in exhibits, for educational purposes, and/or by non-profit partners for items such as postcards or posters. If the artist chooses to retain copyright and original artwork, they will have to fill out a licensing contract.

The BLM is committed to supporting artistic efforts from all mediums that support public lands. The selection process is collaborative, with a jury that reviews and ranks all complete applications, discusses rankings, and comes to a consensus on the final selection. Artists must be 18 or over.

To visit Toolik Field Station, artists must comply with current health and wellness policies in place at this remote location.

Factors considered by the selection committee: 

  • How well does this project embody the importance of public land?
  • How strong is the artistic sample?
  • 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?

Applicants will be notified in May.

 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.  

  • Past Artists - , , , ,  , ,  David Mollett, and Alicemary Rasley. 

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 communications 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.