Grand Canyon's Artist-in-Residence Programs
Desert View Watchtower by Gunnar Widforss The parks have always welcomed artistic interpretations in support of land advocacy. Thomas Moran's evocative and astounding paintings directly influenced the establishment of our first National Park (Yellowstone, 1872). This tradition continues today with more than 40 Artist-in-Residence programs throughout the National Park Service system. 
Emery Kolb at Work Ellsworth Kolb photo With changing times come bold new visions of what art can contribute to our conversation about preservation, environmental issues, and park (and arts) advocacy. Grand Canyon National Park's Artist-in-Residence Program seeks artists whose work is engaged in issues that are relevant to the Park Interpretative Themes, while also challenging the visitor to become an active participant in preservation and environmental and cultural advocacy. We are pleased to host artists who communicate complex and contemporary issues through their chosen medium. Artists in all genres and in all disciplines, contemporary, traditional, or folk who have a genuine interest in contributing to our on-going national discussion on these issues will be of special interest to our program. 
Thomas Moran and his Daughters photographer unknown Whether you are a traditionalist in the vein of Thomas Moran or a contemporary artist creating new paths towards understanding both environmental and cultural issues, you are welcome here. The Artist-in-Residence Program offers professional artists the opportunity to spend three weeks on either the North or South Rim of Grand Canyon in housing provided by the National Park Service. The North Rim AiR program is seasonal, with six residencies during the spring, summer, and fall. The South Rim AiR program is year-round, providing twelve artist opportunities. 
Grand Canyon Hues Hand-colored wood engraving print on paper Artist opportunities: Contemporary, folk and traditional forms, including but not limited to: Visual arts: painters, sculptors, printmakers, new media artists, muralists, designers, ceramicists, artisans, multi-discipline artists, fiber artists, mixed media artists, jewelers Media: photographers, film makers, videographers Writers: fiction and non-nonfiction writers, poets, playwrights Performing arts: composers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, performance artists, storytellers, dramatic artists
AiR artist proposals should be site-specific to Grand Canyon National Park, support the park's Interpretative Themes, and will focus on such issues as ecology, the environment, park advocacy, conservation and other themes relevant to the parks. 
Arc Oil on canvas The application for next season's consideration is now closed. This year we had over 400 applications for the 18 available north and south rim residencies. All artists who apply will be notified of the outcome of their proposal. The south rim juries in early June, with artist notifications going out by the end of that month, and the north rim juries in July, with artist notification by the end of August. The next round of applications will be available in late January 2014, for opportunities on the south rim October 2014 - September 2015, and for the May - October 2015 seasonal north rim program. Next season's deadline will be on or around March 1st, 2014. If you would like to be added to our email list in order to receive updates, announcements and information about future residency opportunities, please drop us an email HERE. ~ A new website that warehouses links to all National Park Service Artist-in-Residence program information system-wide has been published! You can find that HERE There soon will be an online juried exhibit featuring art that has come out of NPS Artist-in-Residence programs. Check back here for a link to that exhibit, scheduled to be published in June 2013. Thanks for your interest in Grand Canyon National Park's artist-in-residence program! 
Dot 18 Site-specific, found objects, temporary installations, this is one of 40 pieces inspired by Grand Canyon "You Are Here" dots on maps These artist opportunities are designed to both engage and inform the public audience (through outreach programming), and provide quality uninterrupted time for artists to pursue their own body of work. The North Rim of Grand Canyon, much of it true wilderness, offers unparalleled inspiration and unspoiled solitude for artists. The artist resides in a small historic cabin on the rim for a three-week period in summer and early fall. The North Rim offers seasonal AiR opportunities for 4 - 6 artist or artist couples during the May - October season. The South Rim of Grand Canyon is teeming with wildlife, park visitors and peerless vistas. The artist(s) reside in a large and sunny two-bedroom (with third bedroom possiblity) second-story apartment in the historic Verkamp's visitor Center, overlooking the Canyon. The south rim hosts a year-round program and can host up to 3 artists who wish to work as collaborative teams or share their residency experience. 
Flutist and Poet Linda Chase performs on the rim SR AiR Linda Chase - August 2012
Application fees this year will be $30/rim, and payments will be accepted ONLY through our electronic process. In exchange for the adventure of living and working in a national park, the resident artist has the opportunity to create works that generate understanding and dialogue about the need to preserve this national treasure-one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Selection Process Selection of artists is based on a scoring system that includes evaluating excellence of art work within genre, an artist statement about what this experience will do for personal development as an artist, and proposed public programming. A jury panel of artistic genre specialists, art professionals and National Park specialists choose the artists and alternates. Find more information here: PLEASE NOTE: No honorarium is available at this time to off-set the expenses that the artists accrue while in residence. Currently both programs on both rims provide a furnished living space, focused studio time, and public outreach and presentation opportunities for selected artists. 
Milky Way Over Shoshone Night Sky Photography Calendar Both the South Rim and the North Rim programs accept applications electronically submitted between February 1 and March This could be subject to change, so please check back for exact dates, or request to be added to our email list, HERE, and you'll receive updated information in a timely way each season. You are welcome to submit an application to both the North and South Rim programs or choose one program that is of special interest to you. Applications will not be able to be submitted before or after the open application dates. SEE FAQ PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION. For more information concerning the programs on either rim, contact South Rim AiR coordinator René Westbrook or leave a messsage at 928-638-7324 |
Did You Know?
In November of 1934, the Grand Canyon Civilian Conservation Corps began working on a trans-canyon telephone line. Starting at Indian Garden, they progressed downward to the Colorado River. It was necessary to complete this portion of the line first before the onset of extreme summer heat. More...