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 30 Artist-in-Residence programs throughout the National Park Service system.

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. 

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.

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, 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. 

These artist opportunities are designed to both engage and inform the public audience (through outreach programming), while providing 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 cabin on the rim for a three-week period in summer and early fall.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon is teeming with wildlife, park visitors and peerless vistas. The artist resides in a second-story apartment in the historic Verkamp’s Visitor Center overlooking the canyon for a three-week period.

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 is based on artistic merit as demonstrated by a complete application packet including:

• your work samples
• outreach program proposal
• printable application form pdf file (54.6 KB)
• willingness to accept the conditions of the national park residency

A panel of National Park Service representatives, artistic genre specialists, and art professionals chooses the artists and alternates.

Find more information here:

• North Rim accommodations and studio
• South Rim accommodations and studio
• Frequently Asked Questions
• printable brochure pdf file (333 KB) - help spread the word!

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. 

Calendar
Applications postmarked before or after these dates will not be considered.

North Rim:

North Rim program juries artists a full year in advance. 2009 artists are in-place; 2010 artist application deadline is past. Selections for the 2010 season will be made and artists will be notified by mid-August. Applications for the 2011 season will be accepted between February 1 and April 1, 2010


South Rim:

South Rim juries artists in 12-month cycles, with an October-September program calendar. New criteria, guidelines, and downloadable application for the 2009-2010 season will be available June 10th. Application postmark deadline is July 31st with artist notification by the end of August.

 

 

 

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Calendar
Applications postmarked before or after these dates will not be considered.

North Rim: 2011 Season
Application packets must be postmarked between February 1 and April 1, 2010. These selections are made a full year in advance of the residency opportunities.

Mail application to:

Robin Tellis, North Rim AiR coordinator

NPS Administration Building

North Rim, AZ 86052

Must be postmarked between February 1 and April 1, 2010

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South Rim: 2009-2010 Season

UPDATE:

The jury panel has made their selections for the 2009 - 2010 season and all artists have been notified of the results.

The South Rim received 62 very strong applications from artists working in an exciting variety of mediums and focuses - which made for a long and lively two days of deliberation on the part of our five jurors.  Congratulations to the selected artists and a big thank-you to the effort that each and every applicant put into their packet. It was an honor to review your work.

Please check back here by mid-October for a new page that will include information on the jury panel and this season's selected artists.

If you would like to be added to our email list, please  e-mail us and you will receive announcements of programming and other selected AiR opportunities.

Application packets must be postmarked between June 10 and July 31, 2009. South Rim selections are made for the following October to September period.

Mail application to:

Rene Westbrook, South Rim AiR coordinator

P.O. Box 129

Grand Canyon, AZ  86023

Must be postmarked between June 10 and July 31, 2009

For more information concerning the programs on either rim, contact South Rim AiR coordinator René Westbrook or call 

928-638-6483