Big Bend 2025 Artists-In-ResidenceCurrently Accepting ApplicationsDeadline to Apply: January 31, 2025!Artists in National ParksArt and National Parks go hand in hand from the very beginning. Thomas Moran’s paintings of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone helped lead to the creation of the world’s first national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park. Now 431 national park units exist in the United States and inspire millions of visitors every year to continue to preserve and protect this land. The purpose of the NPS Artist in Residence program is to allow artists of all mediums a unique opportunity to stay in a park and develop their art practice through deeper exploration of the park. Their interpretation of the cultural, historical, and natural resources will provide a unique perspective and deeper appreciation to those who visit. Today, there are 50 or so art residencies spread out across the United States in various park units and each one is as unique as the park itself. Meet the Artists!Previous Big Bend Artists in ResidenceCheck the Activity Calendar for any upcoming artist presentations 
Program OverviewThanks to the generous support of the Big Bend Natural History Association, the Big Bend National Park Artist in Residence Program (AiR) is open to all art mediums including but not limited to painters, sculptors, photographers, writers, poets, musicians, composers, dancers, etc., Being in a national park, artists must respect park rules such as leave no trace and wilderness zone restrictions. Artists can apply for either 2 or 4 week sessions with the program running May, June, July. The park will provide free housing, advertise the artist and their public outreach program, and support the artist during their stay. While most of the artists time will be devoted to their own art practice, they will be required to lead 1 public outreach program. This will be held in the Panther Junction Community Room and should be a presentation, demo, or workshop. Eligibility and the Selection ProcessThe goal of the Big Bend AiR is to promote a creative means of connecting park visitors with the park’s cultural and natural resources through an artistic lens while providing artists time and space to explore and develop their own practice. Emerging and established artists over the age of 18 are encouraged to apply. A panel of Big Bend National Park staff and Big Bend Natural History Association employees will make the final selections based on the artists statement of intent, public outreach program, and submitted images. The panel will consider applications based on merit and understanding of the mission of the National Park Service and Big Bend National Park. The panel will focus on the following questions during the selection process: Will the artwork help broaden, diversify, and add to the story of what has been created previously in the park? Is the public outreach proposal interesting and will it provide visitors with new ways to experience Big Bend? Will an artist in residence program in Big Bend help further the applicants artistic practice? Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, marital status, or age. Only submitted materials will be judged. 
Site DescriptionLocated in West Texas, Big Bend National Park is about as remote as one can get! If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat in the desert, complete silence, and unencumbered views of the night sky, Big Bend is what you seek. Big Bend is known as one of the most outstanding places in North America for stargazing. In fact, it has the least light pollution of any other national park unit in the lower 48 states. In 2012, Big Bend National Park was awarded International Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark-Sky Association. Big Bend is 800,000 acres of prime wilderness with 150 miles of trails, river float trips along the Rio Grande, backcountry camping, and primitive roads. Inside Big Bend is a Port of Entry into Mexico. If interested in visiting Boquillos, MX, artists must bring their passport. There is a diversity of landscape between the Chisos mountains (highest peak 7,832ft) to the cactus lined desert to the towering river canyons. Temperatures in the summer range from 70s at night to over 110 in the day (115 or more by the river). Artists are encouraged to hike only in the early morning. 
Accommodations and Working ConditionsArtists will be housed in a park housing unit in the Panther Junction housing area, located in the center of the park and near park headquarters. The unit will include a kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, and shared laundry facility down the road. While housing is free, the artist is responsible for all other expenses such as meals, transportation, and personal art supplies. One spouse or partner may accompany the artist. No pets, only service animals are allowed. Panther Junction is located at the foothills of the Chisos Mountains at 3,720 feet. The artist will enjoy desert views from the front door and the Chisos mountain range in their backyard. As an International Dark Sky Park, the milky way can easily be seen right out the backdoor. No designated studio is available but artists can use the living space or the community room (located half a mile away) when not in use for public events. Donation of WorkCurrently, physical work is not being collected. Instead, artists are asked to share high quality digital images/ files of work produced during their time in the park within one year of their residency. The artist understands the images will be used for park media and presentations for education, marketing, outreach, and promoting the AiR program with credit given to the artist any time the work is reproduced for this purpose. The artist retains all ownership of any work they create during the residency. Artists can promote their work but are not allowed to sell items while in Big Bend National Park. 
Outreach ActivitiesProposals for artist outreach programs should be specific to Big Bend and consider the mission of the National Park Service, Big Bend National Park's Interpretive Themes, and issues related to ecology, history, culture, wilderness, etc., The artist is required to present 1 public program on the middle Thursday or Friday during their art residency in the Panther Junction Community Room. Programs can range from a presentation, a hands-on workshop, or a demonstration. Artists can be reimbursed the cost of art supplies used in public programs up to $100. Artists are not required to host programs that involve personally supplying participants with material for hands on activities. Program LimitationsBesides park housing and entry into the park, no other expenses or stipends are covered by the park. Due to its remoteness, artists will need to provide their own transportation and vehicle for the duration of their stay. If flying, the closest airport is 4 hours away in Midland, TX. How to ApplyPlease submit the following to the volunteer coordinator at jessie_knirsch@nps.gov Subject line of the email: 2025 Artist in Residence “Artist Last Name, First Name”. 1. Statement of Intent a. Describe your art practice, what you hope to gain from an art residency b. Provide top three residency dates you are interested, 2 or 4 week periods. Artists can choose one 2 week session or combine 2 for a total of 4 weeks.* Check in is on Mondays, Check out on Saturdays. 2. Public Outreach Proposal, limit 250 words 3. Artist Resume a. Max of 2 pages. Summary of creative works 4. Work Samples a. Visual Artists- 5 jpg images (up to 1 MB each) i. Label each image: LastName_FirstName_Title_Medium_Size_Year.JPG. b. Writing Samples (short story, poetry, screenplay, etc.,)- 3-5 pages c. Time Based (music, film, performance, etc.,) -links to 5-10 minute excerpts *Schedule of sessions:
Application Opens: December 1, 2024 Application Closes: January 31, 2025 Applicants notified of acceptance/rejection: March 1, 2025 
The Big Bend Artist in Residence Program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Big Bend Natural History Association.Thank You! |
Last updated: December 13, 2024