Art has been part of the history of national parks since the 1870s when Hudson River School painters captured majestic Western landscapes. Through their awe-inspiring works, the public came to see these special places in America for the first time. The works captured their imaginations, spurring them to preserve these lands for future generations.
Today art continues to thrive in our national parks. Explore online galleries of works by artists-in-residence and discover the role of parks in telling the story of art.
A Setting for Inspiration
The new "100 Years of Arts in the Parks" video series celebrates how artists inspired the creation of the national parks and are helping to re-imagine the parks for the 21st century.

Stories of Art in the Parks
Discover the people, places, and stories of art—both past and present—that portray the wonder of our national parks.

Artist-in-Residence Programs
Check out a list of residencies across the nation.

100 Years of Arts in the Parks
Check out the new 100 Years of Arts in the Parks videos
Last updated: November 2, 2016