Community Artist Program - How to Apply

The Community Artist in the Parks (CAIP) serves from April 1st through November 30th, with additional required training in late February/early March. The minimum time requirement is six park visits per month and time spent in each of the four park units during your tenure. The CAIP is also required to conduct at least one community outreach event (e.g. a lecture or workshop). This is a volunteer position, but there is the opportunity to sell your work in Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA) outlets (specific sales arrangements will be made between the Community Artist in the Parks and CNHA). You are responsible for transportation and materials costs. You also receive excellent exposure and a yearly entrance pass to the Southeast Utah Group (SEUG) of NPS units: Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.

The CAIP visits locations throughout the SEUG and creates art on-site. It is also possible to create/display work at the visitor centers. Your medium must be such that you can transport materials to foot-accessed locations in a reasonable manner. For example, Chad Niehaus (2009) created linoleum block prints during his tenure and was able to pack his entire materials kit into a small backpack. Pete Apicella (2010) worked with bold colored markers, colored pencils and found paper. Kathy Cooney (2011) created watercolors plein air and at the Arches Visitor Center. Logan Hansen (2012) photographed both popular and lesser-known park locations, then created unique composite images back in his studio.

It is important for the CAIP to be comfortable explaining his/her medium, process, and inspiration. This isn't easy for every artist. You will be asked fairly frequently why you do the things you do, how you do them, etc. Ask yourself if you are interested in this element of the artistic process. If you are, you will enjoy the CAIP program tremendously.

Looking for More?

Read about "A Day in the Life" of a community artist, or checkout some frequently asked questions.

Application Criteria

The successful applicant will:

• be a Grand or San Juan County resident (Utah),
• have a portable medium,
• create an approachable, interaction-friendly atmosphere,
• commit to at least six site visits per month from April through November,
• commit to attending a two hour orientation and four days of training,
• provide a detailed schedule of locations and dates, short artist statement and photograph to NPS and CNHA staff in advance, and be able stick to the proposed schedule as firmly as possible,
• conduct a minimum of one community outreach event,
• create a short video for the park website (with help if needed), and
• provide art product(s) for sale at CNHA outlets.

To Apply

Please prepare written answers to the following questions:

1. What is your medium? Why would this medium work in the Community Artist in the Parks context?
2. What specific experience do you have as an artist working with the public?
3. How do you envision your interactions with the visiting public playing out?
4. What ideas do you have for a community outreach event?
5. How would you rate your knowledge level of local flora, fauna, and places? Feel free to expand.
6. What would your proposed schedule be as a Community Artist in the Parks?
7. What items would you like to sell in CNHA outlets? Please give specific examples, including price ranges.

Additionally, please include the following with your application packet:

1. Samples of your work - the more representative of your proposed medium as CAIP, the better. (Color photographs are acceptable.)
2. Artist bio and photograph (of you)

Send your application materials to:

Sharon Brussell, CAIP Coordinator
2282 SW Resource Blvd
Moab, UT 84532
[phone]
sharon_brussell(at)nps.gov

Application packets for the 2014 season must be received by July 31, 2013.