At the core of The Blackbird Residency is the philosophy that artists find their creativity when allowed to remove themselves from the constraints of their daily lives and are provided with time to reflect and immerse themselves in an environment, both spiritually and physically, that opens new pathways of inspiration. The residency’s ideals are rooted in the spiritual belief that the blackbird represents transformation and a new beginning and the residency, located within the picturesque landscapes of Montana, allows artists to engage with the surrounding environment in order to push the boundaries of their craft.
The residency supports artists across disciplines, including but not limited to, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and writing. Located just outside the town of Bozeman, Montana the program allows participants to engage with local artists and enrich the creative spirit that is deeply rooted within the community. We believe in creating experiences that invite connection and, with that in mind, we ask artists to present at least one completed, or in-progress work, at the conclusion of their residency.
Founder Nicole Riggs’s vision for The Blackbird Residency is a reflection of her own journey. Setting foot in Montana for the first time in the summer of 2016, she found a place that allowed her creativity to flow, unconstrained by the weight of her daily life in New York City. Drawn to the vast, open sky and picturesque mountains of Montana, she discovered a place that ignited a connection to nature that up until then had never been recognized. Permanently relocating to Bozeman in 2019 cemented that relationship and allowed her to let go of her own self doubt as a creative person. In creating this residency she is dedicated to providing artists a supportive environment allowing for self reflection in order to release any boundaries they’ve placed on their work and to fuel their creativity in new directions. Additionally, Nicole’s belief in the power of art to evoke conversation and connection is central to the residency’s mission. Not only has it been created to support the artists in finding inspiration, it is also meant to provide connection through experience and communication to members of the local community who may have felt that art was outside the boundaries of their lives.
