River Valley Ripple (RVR) Artist Residency

The River Valley Ripple (RVR) Artist Residency is a program by Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) and The YES! House that uplifts and supports rural artists from Southwest Minnesota (SWMN) by providing time, space, and resources to develop and expand their artistic practice. Artists at any stage, from emerging to established, are eligible to participate.

Artists reside in one of the 18 counties of Southwestern Minnesota. Four artists are selected for this close-to-home opportunity to focus on creative work, connect with a regional network of artists and community partners, and share their practice with friends, family, and neighbors through a public artist salon showcase.

Each participating artist spends two weeks at The YES! House in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The residency includes a living space and small studio space, a welcome-to-town meal at a local establishment, a downtown walking tour, introductions to fellow artists, community partners, and local residents, and support in promoting and hosting a public artist salon.

Artists also receive a $1,000 stipend to support living costs during the residency and up to $250 for supplies and materials. Residency dates are scheduled in collaboration with DoPT staff.

The RVR Artist Residency is open to all artists and all disciplines. DoPT intentionally defines "artist" broadly—anyone who is creative, resourceful, inspired, and driven to collaborate across all sectors of public, private, and civic life. Eligible practices include visual, performance, multimedia, literary, social/civic, culinary, land, traditional, folk, and textile. Applications are welcomed from culture bearers, craftspeople, artisans, hobbyists, contractors, and handypeople.

Native, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), and LGBTQ2IA+ artists and culture bearers, as well as artists for whom this would be their first residency experience, are encouraged to apply.

The RVR Artist Residency is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The residency is a self-directed program designed for individuals who are ready to step further into their identity as an artist and who want the time and space to focus on their practice.

The 2026 RVR season is complete. Please stay tuned for upcoming 2027 residency applications.

This RVR Artist Residency is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Past River Valley Ripple Artists