News Release

Announcing Application Cycle for Salinas’ Artist-in-Residence Program

"Sunset at Abo," by 2021 Artist-in-Residence Karen Dressler Argeanas

Karen Dressler Argeanas, copyright. 

News Release Date: May 2, 2025

Contact: Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services, [phone]

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is excited to announce that the application cycle for this year’s Artist-in-Residence Program is currently open! Applications will be open from May 1 through May 16. Interested participants are invited to apply through https://www.volunteer.gov

The Artist-in-Residence Program at Salinas is a partnership between the park and the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions (FSPM). The mission of the FSPM is to promote public support for the care, preservation, and educational opportunities of Salinas Pueblo Missions. And thanks to the financial support of FSPM, this year’s Artist-in-Residence Program offers a stipend for the selected artist to support their residency!

As an innovative and fast-paced park, Salinas Pueblo Missions is looking for an artist with a strong background/skill set in photography. As the park’s 2025 Artist-in-Residence, the selected artist will create a visually attractive photo portfolio showcasing the park’s cultural and natural resources, including the park’s pristine dark skies. The work of the selected artist will be featured as promotional and educational outreach materials on the park’s website and social media.

This year the Artist-in-Residence Program will run from July 7 through August 8, 2025. The Photographer-in-Residence will be expected to complete a five-week residency while at Salinas Pueblo Missions. The selected artist will also be expected to participate in the park’s scheduled Dark Sky July event and lead a Dark Sky Photography Workshop; lead one guided hike for visitors to introduce the basics of outdoor photography; and host a presentation to park staff and FSPM to showcase their completed portfolio. In turn, the selected artist will have the opportunity to live and practice their chosen discipline in a national park or surrounding community; gain extensive access to park resources to better inform the development of their art; contribute to the park’s and the National Park Service's photo libraries; and become a key member of the Salinas Pueblo Missions team.

To apply for the program, interested applicants should: 

1. First, apply via Volunteer.gov (SEARCH Salinas Pueblo Missions). Note: The application period is open May 1 – May 16, 2025. 
2. After submitting the Volunteer.gov application, interested applicants must send in the following documents to [e-mail] 

• Your Resume (4 pages maximum; do not include personal photographs).
• Summary of Creative Works (2 pages maximum). Examples include exhibits, galleries, performances, recordings, publications, shows, etc.
• Statement of Purpose (2 pages maximum). Share why you are interested in serving as an artist-in-residence at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, what you hope to gain from the experience, how you expect to grow as an artist, how your work contributes to the National Park Service values of stewardship, education, recreation, and preservation, and describe your ability to live in a rural setting.
• Public Program Concept (1 page). The selected artist will be asked to provide a photography workshop for visitors during their residency as part of the Art in the Park program. The workshop is expected to last 60-90 minutes in length and will include an introduction to photography, hands-on instruction, discussion, and a demonstration of your work. Please provide a brief concept outline of your public program.
• Samples of Recent Works. Provide up to 10 images embedded within a Word or PDF document. Images should include samples of dark sky photography. Clearly label each image with your name, the work’s title, medium, and dimensions. Images should focus on the actual artwork; extraneous backgrounds, mattes, or frames should not be included.

To learn more about the program and the application requirements, we invite interested participants to visit our website at https://www.nps.gov/sapu/getinvolved/artists-in-residence-2025.htm