Small Island. Big Impact.
We could not fulfill our mission without your generous support. Your tax-deductible donation to Rabbit Island will help us continue to foster the creation of bold art that cuts to heart of contemporary artistic and environmental issues, and present this work free to the public.
By offering artists time and financial support to live and work in a true wilderness setting, we couple the human spirit of creation with the ethical tenets of ecological responsibility. Our organization also sponsors conservation programs, scientific initiatives, and immersive Art + Ecology education for local high school students. It is only with the generous help of our supporters that we are able to do this.
On behalf of our organization and our resident artists we thank you!
Why give?
No matter the size, your donation makes a difference. By making a recurring donation—monthly, quarterly, or yearly—you help us in planning our program into the future.
Rabbit Island is able to have a major impact with modest means through a combination of generous volunteer hours and expertise offered by our community and board. In the last three years Rabbit Island Foundation’s annual budget has averaged ~$30,000 USD.
Our current goal is to provide even greater support for our resident artists and develop additional residency opportunities. We plan to reach larger audiences with our annual publication, and complete our comprehensive archive of photographs, film, and essays. Additionally, we will begin supporting interdisciplinary opportunities focusing on conservation and scientific fieldwork. With these goals in mind we hope to raise $50,000 annually for upcoming program years.
The honoraria awarded to successful applicants is generous and unrestricted, to be used by the residents as they see fit. This is one of world’s highest levels of financial support for a short-stay residency program, located in an unparalleled natural setting. As a result, each year we receive incredible applications from innovative, emerging artists from around the globe.
Since our open calls began in 2013, we have received over 2,100 applications from 47 countries. If you would like to directly sponsor a residency position, please get in touch with us.
What we have accomplished
Since 2011 we have fully supported 34 resident artists and hosted over 80 collaborators and researchers, sharing their work through 8 museum exhibitions, 7 publications, world premieres, performances, and numerous artist talks.
In 2016 we premiered and toured an opera created on the island with the Helsinki Chamber Choir, one of Europe’s finest contemporary choirs, on their first tour of the United States.
Each year we host Rabbit Island School, providing unparalleled experiences for students aged 14-18 to explore, create community, and become the next leaders in conservation and culture.
What supporters are saying
“From its foundations to its guiding ideology, Rabbit Island challenges the status quo.”
“I will be a supporter of Rabbit Island for life … so good when a group of people can rally behind and affirm a vision.”
“We really applaud all you are doing on Rabbit Island for artists and environmental caretakers.”
Other ways to donate
Checks can be sent to:
Rabbit Island Foundation
PO Box 101
Calumet, MI 49913
United States
The Rabbit Island Foundation is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible.
We are now accepting applications to the 2023 Rabbit Island Residency Program. This year we anticipate awarding three residencies that will take place between June and September. With the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and continued contributions from donors we are excited to offer successful applicants the following:
- $3,000 (USD) unrestricted honorarium
- 3 week residency on Rabbit Island
- Exhibition in the annual Rabbit Island publication and online archive
- Connections to partner institutions for exhibition and performance opportunities
- Mainland housing as needed
Further award details, requirements, and a comprehensive Application Guide, are available on the Artist Residency page at the link below.
The deadline for application is March 31, 2023, at 11:59pm EST.
Adopt one of Rabbit Island's young White pines in your name or in the name of a loved one. Each of these landmark trees on the island provide an important perch or home for our family of Bald eagles, countless other birds, and a variety of insect life. We will issue a certificate that you can print out featuring a photo of the White pine and its coordinates on the island.
Adopting a white pine is processed as a donation. The Rabbit Island Foundation is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible.
Limited to 50 White pines.
Dance x Rabbit Island print.
Nico Lemery Nantel, photographer. Marian Sell, lighting. Rob Gorski, creative director.
16x20 inch archival quality digital print on Hahnemühle Fine Art Photo Rag, 308gsm.
Edition of 50.
The exhibition catalogue featuring poetry, essays, research, and artwork by our 2016 residents F. Daniel Rzicznek, Walter van Broekhuizen, Luce Choules, and the three-person collective comprised of Jack Forinash, Kelly Gregory, and Mary Rothlisberger.
Designed by Edwin Carter and published by the DeVos Art Museum to coincide with the 2016 exhibition.
Edition of 150.
2015 exhibition catalogue featuring essays and artwork by our 2015 residents Eugene Birman and Scott Diel, Beau Carey, Noam Enbar, and Josefina Muñoz.
Designed by Edwin Carter and published by the DeVos Art Museum to coincide with the 2015 exhibition.
Edition of 150.
The exhibition catalogue featuring essays and artwork by our 2014 residents Elvia Wilk, Nich McElroy, Nicholas Brown, Dylan Miner, Suzanne Morrissette, and Julie Nagam.
Designed by Edwin Carter and published by the DeVos Art Museum to coincide with the 2014 exhibition.
Edition of 150.
Following United States Geological Survey guidelines and adhering to National Map Accuracy standards, artist-in-residence and program co-founder Andrew Ranville created a traditional topographic quadrangle map of Rabbit Island from scratch. Far more detailed than what is currently available from the USGS, the 1.5-minute map uses data recorded over a series of explorations of the island in 2011 and 2012. There is much more information about the creation of the map at this Rabbit Island post.
16.25in x 24in (410mm x 610mm) 5 spot color lithographic print on NewPage Anthem 70lb matte.
Edition of 275 with artist proofs.