Artist In Residence

Mural painted by local artist Brother Boko

NPS Photo / David Lee Cook

 

Program Information

The Artist-in-Residence Program offers professional writers, composers, and all visual/performing artists the opportunity to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of the park. The program is intended for artists working in a variety of mediums. One or more artists may be selected each year for our residency program. Professional two-dimensional visual artists, sculptors, musicians, writers, crafts persons, and photographers are encouraged to apply.

 

Interested in applying?

Selection is based on artistic merit as demonstrated by the examples submitted, the ideas expressed in the statement of purpose, and the willingness to accept the conditions of the national park residency opportunity. 

The summer residency is reserved for emerging artists (less than five years of professional experience). The spring and fall residencies are open to both established and emerging artists. Artists are encouraged to stay four weeks, but a two week minimum is still acceptable. A panel of National Park Service and community representatives chooses the artists and alternates.

The selection committee will evaluate the artist's proposal and submitted work using the following criteria:

Artistic Merit

Artistic quality and merit of the work submitted.

Opportunities for Public Enjoyment

The artist’s proposed plans to “give back” to the park and community.     Presentations that involve audience participation are preferred.

National Park Service (NPS) Mission and Primary Interpretive Themes

Artists’ proposals should be site specific to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, support the park’s interpretive themes, and focus on issues such as ecology, the environment, conservation, historic and/or cultural topics, and other themes relevant to the park.

National Park Service Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Primary Interpretive Themes 

• Geology. Guadalupe Mountains National Park preserves the western terminus of the Capitan Reef, a fossil reef that contains some of the best studied Middle Permian geological formations. The formations are well exposed and have extraordinary scientific and scenic values.
• Paleontology. Fossils recovered from the rocks tell the story of life in the Permian sea. Changes in fossil types and abundances illustrate the response of paleocommunities to changes in sea level driven by climate change and plate tectonics and document evolutionary changes in taxa through time.
• Ecological Communities. Four major ecological communities—montane forest, desert shrub, desert grasslands, and riparian—are present in the park. Diverse plants and animals exist because of the interaction of physical geography, latitude, climate, and hydrologic processes.
• Environmental Protection. Park ecological communities are inseparable from those of surrounding areas; the health and survival of natural and human communities are linked in complex and shifting relationships. Issues such as air pollution, habitat fragmentation and loss, climate change, and decreasing biodiversity concern park visitors, some of the park’s neighbors, and challenges park managers.
• Cultural History. The park preserves resources from thousands of years of human occupation and activities, including American Indian, African American, and European American exploration, settlement, transportation, and trade. Oral traditions document diverse livelihoods, stewardship practices, adaptations, and spiritual connections to the mountains and offer invaluable perspectives to inform contemporary management choices.
• Wilderness. The park manages its designated wilderness to retain its primitive character and enhance its natural condition. This wilderness provides a foundation for healthy, diverse ecosystems and offers humans opportunities for reflection, challenge, research, respite, and renewal.

Statement of Intent

The quality of the artist’s Statement of Intent including the importance of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park experience to the artist’s work.

To Apply

For consideration, applications for each seasonal residency must be received by the park on or before the following deadlines. Please email the park to begin the application process or for any questions related to the program.

Spring 2023

Application Deadline: November 2, 2022.

Residency Period: mid-April through mid-May

Summer 2023

Application Deadline: February 2, 2023

Residency Period: July

Emerging artists (less than 5 years professional experience) will receive priority consideration for this period.

Fall 2023

Application Deadline: April 2, 2023

Residency Period: mid-October to mid-November