NPS Accepting Applications for 2011 Artist-in-Residence Program

Date: February 7, 2011
Contact: Amy Vanderbilt, 406 888-5838

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Glacier National Park announces that it is currently accepting applications for the 2011 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program. Artists-in-Residence stimulate and foster the artistic exploration of Glacier’s natural and cultural treasures and share their inspiration with the public through educational programs and exhibits.

Artists-in-Residence live at the park for four weeks over the summer between mid-June and Labor Day and produce original materials which are donated to the National Park Service for use at Glacier National Park; the donation also includes publishing and reproduction rights. No stipend is available. Lodging is provided; however, artists must provide their own transportation and are responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of their accommodations.

To support the park’s environmental education program, two artists are selected each year based on their abilities to produce artistic material suitable for use with elementary school children. The compositions can take many forms and thus, the 2011 AIR program is open to painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, poets, composers, and musicians."

Once selections are made, the artists and park education staff agree upon a final product (i.e. kid-friendly illustrations of park wildlife, stories about park animals in winter, poems about the beauty of the park or park history, child-appropriate songs and lyrics about park resources, etc.) that will be produced during the residency. The original work is shared with the public through exhibition, publication or other appropriate means.

Graves remarked, "While the NPS cannot provide a stipend to the selected artists, lodging is furnished for a four-week period during the summer in order to allow artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form here at the park, and to develop materials for use in the park’s education program. This is an excellent opportunity to share your talents and to inspire children about the park’s resources and the environment."

Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Applications should be mailed to: Artist-in-Residence Coordinator, P.O. Box 128, 1 Going-to-the-Sun Road (FedEx or UPS,) West Glacier, MT 59936. For details on the application process, visit Glacier’s AIR Web site at https://www.nps.gov/glac/supportyourpark/air.htm or call Matt Graves [phone] or email.