Frequently Asked Questions:
Grand Canyon artist-in-residence program
Q: What are the upcoming due dates for the North Rim and South Rim program applications?
A: Both rims will be accepting applications this year between February 1st and April 1st, 2012. We will be using the WESTAF CaFe electronic application process, and will only accept electronic applications.
Q: How do I apply through the WESTAF CaFe system?
A: First, go to their website, HERE. Access is free. This site allows you to download your images or other work samples, and has an interactive application form specific to our call. You will need to register as a user before you can access our application. Once you are registered you can click on Apply to Calls and explore all the listed artist opportunities, or go directly to our application HERE.
This CaFE system is very user-friendly and self-explanatory, but if you hit a snag click on the help button and you will be directed to their FAQ page.
Q: What are the timelines for the North Rim residency program?
A: Applications are submitted over a full year prior to the residency dates. If you are submitting an application in the year 2012, this is for artist opportunities between MAY AND OCTOBER, 2013. Same-year selections have already been made. Selections will be made by a jury panel of professional artists and National Park Service specialists in mid-summer and both selected and non-selected artists will be notified by the end August.
Q: What are the timelines for the South Rim residency program?
A: Applications are submitted for the same year of the residency dates. If you are submitting an application in the year 2012, it is for artist opportunities BEGINNING THE SAME YEAR; OCTOBER 2012 through - SEPTEMBER 2013. Selections will be made by a jury panel of professional artists and National Park Service specialists in May and both selected and non-selected artists will be notified by the middle of June.
Q: I want to apply to both rims. Is there a different application process for that?
A: No, unless you are submitting two distinctly different proposals. If your applications are identical for both the north and south rim simply create a WESTAF CaFe account, find our application announcement and fill out the form, attach your downloads, and each rim's panel will be able to access your packet. IMPORTANT! Due to limitations in the application system, if you are applying to both rims, you will have to fill out the CaFE form twice, and submit an application fee ($30.00) twice. IF your application is different for each rim, you simply create two different applications. There is virtually no overlap in the north and south rim selection processes.
Q: May I apply to participate in both rims in any given year?
A: Yes. Inclusion in one rim's program will not affect consideration of your application on the other rim.
Q: Will I be a part of the National Park Service staff while in-residence?
A: The artist-in-residence is classified as a Volunteer under the VIP program (Volunteers in the Parks). Your role with the National Park Service will be limited to the time you are working in your outreach program but you will serve as an emissary to both the Park Service and as an arts advocate. No training is necessary! Just your enthusiasm, your commitment to your art form, your willingness to communicate your program to your intended audience and your interest in the Grand Canyon will inform your contacts with Park visitors, locals and your outreach program participants. VIP paperwork will be sent to artists who are selected to participate in the program after we receive confirmation that you are available and interested for the month that we are inviting you.
Q: What if I am accepted to the program but my availability changes?
A: We will do our best to accommodate artist's schedule changes (for instance if you can only be here for 2 weeks rather than 3) but all artist slots will be offered immediately after jurying has taken place. If you should find yourself unavailable during the time that you have been awarded a residency and there is no other open slot we can offer you during the season, we will replace you with an alternate. You are of course welcome to apply again for another opportunity in subsequent years. Deferred residencies may be able to be arranged, should your availability change drastically between the time you apply and the time you're offered an opportunity, and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with the specific rim's AiR coordinator.
Q: Can I reapply if I have already done a residency at the Grand Canyon?
A: We are interested in all applications and you are welcome to reapply after doing a residency with us. Please know that this is a very competitive process and if you score in-range of another artist who has not participated in our program then we will take into account your past participation. New artists may be given priority placement in the interest of providing a new artistic perspective to the program.
Q: What is the application fee and in what form do you accept payment?
A: The fees are $30/rim and payment is accepted at the time you submit your application, via the WESTAF CaFe site. Our call is set-up to accept all major credit cards, which are processed through the CaFE system. Once you have filled out your application form, entered payment information and hit the "submit" button, you're done! You'll receive an electronic receipt of this transaction, sent to the email address you provide when registering for CaFE.
Q: What will the non-refundable entry fee be used for?
A: The program that you have applied for will use the funds specifically in support of the AiR program. This fund will pay for items such as household supplies and gear for the artist accommodations, underwriting the cost of supplies for artist outreach programming and for general support of the Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence programs.
Q: Where can I get art supplies locally?
A: There are limited opportunities for purchase of speciality supplies at either rim. It's best if each artist plans on bringing with them everything that they can anticipate needing while in-residence. Selected artists can also ship equipment, tools and supplies in advance of their residency; this can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Please talk with Robin or Rene for specific information on shipping methods and carriers.
Q: Do you only accept artists who are creating art that is representative or traditional?
A: Both rims welcome the opportunity to host artists in all genre and disciplines - traditional, folk and contemporary. Having said that, your work and outreach proposal should be written and designed keeping in mind that we're a National Park with many and varied visitors of diverse cultures. We ask that your proposal is appropriate to an all-ages audience and that political art focus on relevant issues to the Parks (such as the environment or preservation). A successful application will be sensitive to the Park's Interpretive Themes but also can be challenging and exciting to the public. If you are unsure if your art or proposal will be considered appropriate to the Park's program, please contact Rene or Robin and we'll be glad to give you feed-back.
Q: Why is there no stipend or traveling fund for the artist-in-residence?
A: The Parks, along with all other government agencies, are feeling the squeeze of the economic climate that the US is currently experiencing. We wish to continue our Artist-in-Residence program whether we are able to off-set artist expenses or not. Unfortunately that means that as of right now we do not have any funds in support of the artists. We know that this might be a burden for applicants and ask that you seriously consider whether this is affordable for you at this time. Please know that Grand Canyon National Park is committed to artist advocacy and that all funding opportunities that become available will be pursued. For now the programs simply do not have money for the artists.
Q: I'm an Environmental Earth Works artist. Is my work appropriate for your program?
A: Any medium that involves collection or altering park resources would be in conflict with national park preservation goals and would be deemed inappropriate for a residency. Having said that, if you are in-development on a project that will be installed in another location, you are welcome to submit your proposal. Please make it clear in your application that you intend to work only on project development while in-residence at the Canyon. Earthworks projects are very appealing to a broad audience so please consider presenting a lecture or slide show/power point on your project as one of your outreach program proposals. In that way you can present your in-process project without violating any of the Park's goals.
Q: Do you accept international artists in your program?
A: Yes, the Grand Canyon is delighted to host international artists. To facilitate international artist participation, we will charge all foreign artists a very nominal fee for staying in the residency space. This fee is set at $1.00/day not to exceed $21, and will be collected from the artist before they depart at the end of their residency. This mechanism has been arranged through our international VIP Coordinator and provides the easiest way to help selected international artists avoid having to go through the lengthy and expensive J Visa application process. Please contact Rene with any specific questions you have regarding this issue prior to applying to the program.
Q: Will my own studio/work time be private?
A: Artists are encouraged to take full advantage of the broad audience and wonderful environment of Grand Canyon by being out in the public as much as possible. If you are an artist who needs solitude to be productive, that's okay too. We ask only that you provide the minimum of visitor contact programs that are in our guidelines. However, the artist-in-residence program is a great draw to the general public and many Park visitors will seek you out and perhaps find you during your own work time. If you are not an artist who requires solitude for your work, consider working outside on the Rim, walking the trails, soaking up the experience and interacting with the public. You'll take so much back to your own work if you take advantage of this opportunity to communicate and interact with the Park visitors and experience the Canyon as much as possible.
Q: Will there be any opportunity to exhibit or present my art during my residency, outside of my public programs?
A: On the south rim a modest exhibit opportunity has been developed, with limited display pedestals and lucite cubes, approximately 18 linear wall feet, display easels, and a flatscreen TV/DVD player. This area is ideal for small exhibits during your residency. The exhibit space is in a relatively low visitor traffic building - at Park Headquarters. Having said that, this is also the administrative building for NPS employees and supervisors, provides free WIFI for park visitors, and houses the Park library, so while it does not get the heavy foot traffic of a visitor center, it's a good space in which to present your work. Selected artists should talk with Rene about this opportunity and we'll co-develop an exhibit. If you do decide to present an exhibit, the park can pay for return shipping that is able to be shipped via USPS.
There is no exhibit opportunity at the North Rim at this time.
Q: Do I need to have a car?
A: If you are flying to Arizona to participate in our AiR program, you may want to consider renting a car. South rim services are limited and art supplies and other support materials are only available in Flagstaff (85 miles). The north rim is even more isolated. However, many artists have been quite happy here for 3 weeks without a vehicle; using the bikes provided by both the north and south rim programs and riding the free shuttle bus system around the Park. If you prefer being very mobile, it's best to bring your own vehicle. Groceries are available here at the Canyon, so you will not have to go without if you don't have a vehicle, but there is of course a wider availability of goods in nearby communities. If you're coming into a South Rim residency, transportation from the Flagstaff or Phoenix airport is easily arranged through Rene. North Rim residencies are somewhat more isolated and should be discussed with Robin on a case-by-case basis. Selected artists will receive complete community and travel information well in advance to their residency so they can plan accordingly.
Q: Can I bring my family or pet?
A: Family members may visit the artist during the residency for a short period of time as long as the number of occupants does not exceed the occupancy limits of the apartment and cabin. Our main concern outside of safety issues is to guard the selected artists focused art time, since time is the one thing that artists rarely have enough of. We would like to give you the opportunity to claim your solo time for the most productive and enriching experience possible. Please discuss the accommodation issues and restrictions with us before you make any plans. Pets are not permitted.
Q: Why are you no longer requiring donations of art to the collection as part of the residency requirements?
A: Grand Canyon collections staff and administrators are in the process of reviewing and rewriting the criteria for accessioning work into the permanent collection. Because the south rim program is now year-round, and because we welcome artists working in new genres, space and new media preservation concerns have changed dramatically. As a result, the park as decided to indefinitely suspend adding to the collection. This policy should be considered in-flux and all artists who have participated in the program in the past or hope to in the future will be kept updated as new policy is finalized and implemented.
