Denver Art Museum announces 2026 Native Arts Artists-in-Residence, 2027 deadline

The Denver Art Museum is announcing its 2026 Native Arts Artist-in-Residence Program. The DAM invited four artists with ancestral tribes to the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute tribes to add to its Indigenous Arts of North America galleries. 

“This residency transforms the museum into an active studio where visitors can engage directly with the creative process and the vital perspectives of Indigenous creators. We eagerly anticipate the powerful dialogues and dynamic new works that will emerge as these artists interact with our collection and our community throughout the coming year,” said Danielle Stephens, Senior Interpretative Specialist and Manager of the Native Arts Artist-in-Residence program. 

Adrian Stevens (Northern Ute, Shoshone-Bannock and San Carlos Apache) and Sean Snyder (Navajo and Southern Ute) are a Two-Spirit couple who create bead work for the exhibit. Both of them use their platform to raise awareness on issues impacting Indigenous peoples, including environmental justice, sovereignty and cultural preservation. 

They will be in residency at the museum April 6-17. Join them for Open Studio hours the first week on April 7, 9 and 11 from 1-3 p.m., as well as April 14 and 16 from 1-3 p.m., to learn more about their beading practice and their upcoming installation with a focus on bridging the past and future of moccasin designs. Their art work will be on display starting Aug. 1, 2026. 

CooXooEiii Black (Northern Arapaho) is an Afro-Indigenous poet and writer that writes about his experiences growing up on the reservation, his dual heritage and spiritual identities.  He has won the 2022 Rattle Chapbook Prize for his work, The Morning You Saw a Train of Stars Streaking Across the Sky. 

Benjamin L. West (Southern Cheyenne and Otoe-Missouria) is a multimedia artist telling stories of his culture and the critical issues and resilience that Indian Country faces though his photography and video. He is influenced by the Southern Cheyenne ceremonial ways from his father and the Otoe-Missouria from his mother.  His installation will include both a feature film and digital photographs in August. 

To apply for the 2027 Native Arts Artist-in-Residence program, those interested can apply before June 1, 2026.