Courtesy of the Clark Family, Tooele, Utah

John B. Fairbanks painting Zion Canyon

The Zion National Park Artist-in-Residence Program offers professional artists the opportunity to live and work in beautiful Zion Canyon. The works completed during this program contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of Zion National Park and reflect the National Park Service’s commitment to the preservation of cultural and natural resources.

The Artist-in-Residence Program invites selected artists for a four-week period in the fall and spring. The primary residence is a historic house located on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Artists may also use a campsite in Zion Canyon, if preferred. The furnished house is large enough to provide adequate studio space. Artists must be self-sufficient, able to work independently in an isolated environment, and comply with all park regulations and policies.

As part of the residency, artists will present two, one-hour public programs. One program will be presented for the Southern Utah University’s Art Insights speaker series and the other will be presented at the Zion Lodge. Artists are also encouraged to give public presentations in their own communities to broaden the impact of the program.
 
Participating artists are required to donate, at the park’s choosing, an original piece of work from, and representative of, their residency in Zion National Park. Donated work must be received no later than six months after the artist’s residency. Artists are also required to provide the copyright for this artwork to the National Park Service. The artist will retain a royalty-free, non-exclusive use license. Zion National Park will own the rights to reproduce the artwork and the work may be used in exhibits and for educational purposes.

Selected artists will have the chance to translate the beauty of Zion into works that may bring new insights, enjoyment, and understanding of this desert sanctuary.

Selection Process

A jury of representatives from Zion National Park and the Southern Utah University Department of Art and Design will review submitted materials and interview the top candidates. Selections will be made on the basis of merit and understanding of the mission of the National Park Service. The superintendent of Zion National Park will have final approval of all selections. Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, or national origin.

The Artist in Residence program will invite professional writers, composers, and all visual artists to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park.

How to Apply
The 2012 selection process has concluded. Application and instructions for 2013 will be available May 2012.

For additional information, please contact the Artist-in-Residence Program coordinator by email at Zion_Artist_in_Residence@nps.gov or by phone at 435-772-0184.