Artist Walt Pourier giving a talk to a crowd of people inside the artist studio

Native Arts Artist-in-Residence

Artist Steven Yazzie speaking in the studio in front of a crowd of visitors

About the Program

The DAM’s Native Arts Artist-in-Residence program explores contemporary Indigenous perspectives through the creative process. Since its founding in 2012, the residency has provided artists with an opportunity to research the DAM’s collection, develop their work alongside DAM visitors, and/or add perspective and nuance to the museum galleries through their artistic practice. Residencies last anywhere from 3-8 months and have included performances, demonstrations, workshops, community conversations, and the creation of artwork.

Headshot of a dark-haired thirtysomething man wearing a white t-shirt

2024 Artist-in-Residence

Dylan McLaughlin (Diné)
Lives and works in Austin, TX

Residency Dates: Through December 2024
Installation on View: July 14–December 1, 2024

"Central through lines in my work and research have always been about fostering collaboration and generative methodologies. I see the opportunity to share work with the public as a way to engage in multi-sensory critical storytelling. I always seek to engage the viewer in a sense of subjective criticality; meaning the stories they bring to the space are what make the complexities truly felt." –Dylan McLaughlin

Black and white photograph of Dylan McLaughlin sitting at his desk working

About the Artist

Dylan McLaughlin is a multidisciplinary artist looking critically to ecologies of extraction and threatened ecosystems. He weaves Diné mythology, ecological data, and environmental histories while holding space for complexity. What transpires is the sonification of relationships to land through experimental music composition and improvised performance. In his multi-media installation and performative works, he looks to engage the poetics and politics of human relations to land.

Learn more at his website.

Past Residencies

Past Native Arts Artist-in-Residents include:

Our Commitment to Indigenous Communities

The Denver Art Museum is located on the homeland of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute people, along with many people from other Indigenous nations that call this place home. Museums have benefited from the displacement of Indigenous people and the removal and historical misrepresentation of their arts, often resulting in deep harm to originating communities.

While we cannot change the past, we can change how we move forward. Indigenous people have made substantial impacts to our institution, and our identity is innately tied to the Native histories and contributions of Indigenous people past and present. This inspires and grounds us as we move forward in a better way

We commit to building authentic and sustained relationships with Indigenous people at multiple touch points across the museum; centering, elevating, and supporting Indigenous people in our programs and practices and providing meaningful access to our resources including collections, programs, tools, and spaces; and actively listening to and integrating Indigenous voices to grow as an inclusive and accessible space.