NELTJE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY & THE ARTS

located just south of sheridan, wy

Come Be Creative With Us

 

The Neltje Center provides a sanctuary for UW students, faculty and other creatives to unleash their imagination in one of the most scenic areas of Wyoming, near the Bighorns just south of Sheridan.

 

It's a place where writers, painters, and creators of all kinds can find inspiration in the natural beauty and incredible artwork that surrounds them. In this unique environment, artists are empowered to push the boundaries of their craft, experiment with new ideas, and create works that challenge the status quo.

 

The center is named after Neltje (pronounced Nell-Jee) who founded the Jentel Artist Residency in 2001. A renowned artist and philanthropist, Neltje was a one-woman force in the Sheridan area and state-wide. Wyoming is richer for her vision and leadership.

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OUR CORE PROGRAMS

Faculty-Student Mini-Residencies

At the core of the Neltje Center’s programming is our Faculty-Student Mini-Residency initiative, which welcomes UW students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds for focused periods of study, collaboration, or multi-day workshops. The program continues Neltje’s legacy of opening her home as a space for inspiration, exchange, and creative growth.

Learn more + Apply

Located just outside Sheridan, our thoughtfully designed indoor spaces and expansive grounds are ideal for retreats, meetings, workshops, and gatherings of all kinds. Whether you’re bringing people together to reflect, collaborate, or celebrate, the Neltje Center provides a memorable backdrop where ideas—and relationships—can flourish.

DETAILS

Jentel provides professional development for visual artists, writers, and composers in a serene, one-of-a-kind environment. Neltje founded the residency in 2001 and following her passing it was gifted to the University of Wyoming along with the Neltje Center. Applications deadlines are Jan 15 and Sept 15.

JENTEL WEBSITE

The Neltje Center’s Visiting Artist Program is rooted in deep community engagement and meaningful exchange. Rather than arriving, performing, and leaving, visiting artists spend time building connections—sharing their processes, perspectives, and experiences. This approach creates unique opportunities for lasting insight, learning, and genuine connection between artists and our community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our events and workshops invite participants behind the scenes of the creative process, offering insight into how artists think, work, and create. Through nontraditional programming—including hands-on experiences and shared meals—we foster accessible, welcoming spaces where conversation flows easily and creative skills can be explored and applied in everyday life.

UPCOMiNG EVENTS

We support artists, students, and educators through residencies, hands-on training, and professional development. By connecting creative practitioners with university resources, funding opportunities, and community partnerships, the Center helps build sustainable careers and a resilient creative workforce across the state.

LEARN MORE

Nestled within a stunning landscape and housed in the art-filled former home and studio of the artist Neltje, the Center offers a warm, inspiring environment for gatherings that value connection, creativity, and intention. 

Exchange vows beneath the clear open sky, make toasts in a brilliant Wyoming sunset, and dance the night away under the stars.

MORE DETAILS

Faculty-Student Mini-Residencies

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crayton class
Hands-On Training for Students

Through hands-on experiences—from 3D scanning and digital tools to performance and production opportunities—our programs equip students with real-world skills and professional experience that directly support career readiness.

an artist painting their canvas on the floor
Providing a First Residency Experience for Rural Artists at Jentel

Jentel provides many rural and often isolated Wyoming artists with their first residency experience, connecting them to a professional cohort and critical resources. This investment strengthens individual artistic practices while contributing to the growth of Wyoming’s creative economy and workforce.

a group at a table show instructional material
K-12 Art Teacher Professional Development

In partnership with the UW Art Museum, the Neltje Center delivers essential professional development for Wyoming’s K–12 art teachers, expanding instructional capacity and enriching arts education across the state.

an event takes place at the neltje center
Generating Over a Million Dollars in Grant FundingThe Neltje Center’s Grantwriting Retreats, led by Alyson Hagy and Bethann Merkle, have supported faculty in developing competitive proposals, resulting in numerous successful awards and significant funding to both the university and faculty/staff.
a large group of people gather outdoors to watch an orchestra play
Community Connections

Our workshops and public programs extend the University’s presence in the region while fostering meaningful community relationships, using creative exploration as a bridge between academic resources and local audiences.

DISCOVER THE NELTJE CENTER

PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT
Find Forms to Complete, Driving Directions, What to Bring, Facility Details, etc.

APPLY

Learn about our mini-residency, workshop, and retreat opportunities and submit an application today!

 

SUPPORT

Make an impact on the health of Wyoming's arts and culture sector today!

 

OUR FEES

Check out our fees for programs and rentals.

 

STAFF

The magic of the Neltje Center is made possible every day by a dedicated team whose creativity, care, and hard work bring our vision to life.

 

 

200+
UW Students & Faculty have attended programming at the Neltje Center
$1300000000
$1.3 Billion Arts & Culture Sector Contribution to the State Economy, Growing at a rate of 8.9%!
1650+
Alumni from the Jentel Artist Residency since 2001

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Different But Same Promo Collective Arts Festival 2026 logo
More Details More Details
Friday 6/19 from 5-7:30pm
At the UW Neltje Center

Saturday 8/8 

Whitney Commons Park in Sheridan, WY

Join us for a special evening at the Neltje Center, presented in partnership with SAGE Community Arts as part of the six-week exhibition Different but SAME. 

Different but SAME: In Our Own Words — Spoken Word & Songs brings together spoken word artists Lena Sunada-Matsumura Newlin and Christopher D. Sims alongside Wyoming musician J Shogren for a dynamic and intimate gathering. Rooted in the exhibition’s theme, 'Distinct Voices. Shared Humanity.', this program explores how personal narratives can reveal shared experiences across identity, memory, and place. 

 

In recognition of Juneteenth, this program honors traditions of oral storytelling, resilience, and creative expression as tools for reflection, connection, and community building. 

 

Doors open at 5pm, performance at 5:30.

The evening concludes with refreshments and conversation. 

 

 

This free, family-friendly event will include music and dance performances, art demos literary and poetry readings, children’s art activities, artisan booths, as well as food trucks and a beer garden!

 

Collective Arts Festival is presented by the Bighorn Arts Collective, an organization committed to enriching the arts and growing the creative economy in Sheridan County and across the region. Through meaningful collaboration with the community’s art entities and artists, Bighorn Arts Collective seeks to leverage the impact of all endeavors, ensuring that the arts thrive and remain an integral part of our community's identity.

 

Bighorn Arts Collective comprises The Brinton Museum, Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts, SAGE Community Arts, Sheridan Public Arts Committee, Ucross Foundation, and the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center.