Interested in Applying to be an Artist-in-Residence

NPS Photo: Claudia Borfiga, Visual Artist and an RMNP 2024-Artist in Residence seen leading a screenprinting program at Fall River Visitor Center.

Interested in Applying to be an Artist-in-Residence in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Applications are now closed for the 2025 Artist-in-Residence program. Submitted applications are currently being reviewed. Selected applicants will be notified and announced in April 2025.

If interested in applying for Rocky's Artist-in-Residence program in the future, see the application details listed below:

Rocky Mountain National Park and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy's Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program is open to artists of all creative disciplines. Selected artists will serve in a two-week residency within Rocky Mountain National Park. During their residency, selected artists will reside in a rustic cabin located inside Rocky Mountain National Park where they can gain inspiration and create artistic works.

RMNP's residency will take place during a two-week window scheduled sometime during the summer season, from mid-May through mid-October, weather and conditions permitting. Selected artists will be able to choose a preferred date from a list of available options. The park's AIR program is not active during the winter season.

Have questions? Email us at [e-mail] and park staff will get back with you as soon as possible.

Artist-in-Residence Application Instructions:

To apply for RMNP's AIR program, there is a two-part application process:

Step 1: Interested artists must first fill out an online web application form (this form is not currently open, as the application window for 2025 is now closed).

Step 2: Interested artists must also submit three supplemental PDF documents via email (the application window for 2025 is now closed). These documents must include the following:

Document 1: a PDF containing a Resume and Summary of Creative Works
Document 2: a PDF containing a Statement of Purpose and Public Program Concepts
Document 3: a PDF containing Samples of Recent Works

PDF 1: What should be included with a Resume and Summary of Creative Works?

Section A - Resume (1 page, 12 point font):

In your resume, please outline your experience as an artist. Include experience that would be relevant to the AIR program (such as experience public speaking, interacting with public audiences, lecturing/instructing a large number of people at once, etc.). Do not include headshots or any other images. Resumes with photos included cannot be considered.

Section B - Summary of Creative Works (up to 1 page, 12 point font):

In this section, include a summary listing your creative works demonstrating your skills as an artists. Please list examples of past exhibits, gallery showings, film screenings, public performances, sound recordings, published written works, etc.

PDF 2: What Should Your Statement of Purpose and Public Program Concepts Include?

Section A - Statement of Purpose (Up to 300 words, 12 point font):

In this document, share in your own words why you are interested in serving as an Artist-In-Residence. Please describe what you hope to gain from this experience, how you expect to grow as an artist, and how your work contributes to the National Park Service values of stewardship, education, recreation and preservation. Describe what environmental issues you are interested in exploring through your art and how your art contributes to Rocky Mountain National Park's "sense of place".

Section B - Public Programs Concept Proposal (up to 500 words, 12 point font):

Selected applicants will be asked to provide two different public programs during their residency. One program will be a 1-hour, lecture-style program hosted indoors inside the park's Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium. You will have access to a projector for a presentation or slideshow and lav mic.

The second public program will be a 4-hour, interactive, drop-in style program hosted at the Fall River Visitor Center. Expect repeated interactions as members of the public drop in and spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour in length with you. There is an open activity room and tables and chairs are available. During this interactive program, many park visitors will cycle through and experience your art through a hands-on activity. Members of the public should be able to enjoy your programs with no prior experience. This program offers artists the opportunity to engage with members of the public in group or one-on-one settings as they come to learn more about an artist and their medium of art.

Provide a brief description for what you would do when hosting both style of programs (as an Artist-in-Residence, you will be required to offer two programs - one of each style).

In your program outline, also list any materials that would be necessary and what materials you are able to provide. RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy will help purchase supplies (as appropriate) for use by members of the public. For instance, if screenprinting, the artist will be responsible for providing a printing screen and squeegee. RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy would purchase paper and ink used by the public during the program.

Optional Section C - 3^rd Public Program in an Outdoor Setting

An additional 3rd program hosted in an outdoor setting inside RMNP can be scheduled after approval from RMNP's AIR Program Coordinator and Rocky Mountain Conservancy. This program could include a guided walk, a half or full day workshop, and/or an outdoor performance. An outdoor program cannot be used as a substitute for the two required lecture and drop-in style programs. If you are interested in offering a third public program, provide a brief public program concept describing your program or activity.

PDF 3: Samples of Recent Works
In one PDF document include up to six samples of your artistic works.

• Please combine all six into a single file while maintaining high image quality/resolution.
• Submit only works that you wish to be considered as part of your application; these are the only works that will be considered during jury selection. See below for medium-based instructions.
• We cannot accept any files shared via any cloud storage platforms. Files shared as cloud storage links will not be considered. Do not send zip files or shared links.

Medium-based Instructions for Sample of Works Submission:

Visual, Textile, & Sculpture Artists:
Provide up to six images embedded within one PDF document. Clearly label each image with your name and the work's title. Images must be high resolution and should focus only on the actual artwork; extraneous backgrounds, mattes, or frames should not be included.

For each work, clearly list name of work, medium, and dimensions.

Language Artists:
Provide up to six short works or 1 longer work within one PDF document. Examples include up to 6 short poems or other short writing samples of artistic merit (no more than 1 page each) or one short story, essay, or manuscript excerpt (no more than 6 pages). Clearly label each work with your name and its title.

• Note for non-fiction writers: creative non-fiction for this program does not include science writing (studies, research papers, articles, etc.) travelogues, journalistic features, interviews, or job-related documents such as memos or legal briefs. Such submissions will not be considered.

Musicians, Composers, Performing Artists, Videographers:
Provide up to six short selections (no more than six minutes total) or 1 long selection (no more than eight minutes total). Upload your submission to YouTube/Vimeo or share an existing YouTube/Vimeo link embedded within a PDF document. Uploads may be public or private.

Please describe each link with title and description of sample and clearly label each work with your name and its title.

 

Kait Evensen, Textile Artist and an RMNP 2024 Artist-in-Residence, displaying embroidery at a drop-in program at Fall River Visitor Center

NPS Photo

Additional Program Details:

Within one year from the completion of their residency, selected AIRs will donate a fully furnished piece of work representative of their stay to the park’s unofficial collection managed by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Rocky Mountain Conservancy will hold the rights to the piece of work and the National Park Service will have the rights to share the donated works with the public.

 

"Paddle" by Jeremy Shellhorn

Why Does Rocky Mountain National Park Host an Artist-in-Residence Program?

Art has played a major role in the creation of our national parks and in the preservation of our country’s wild spaces. Artists like George Catlin, Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, Ansel Adams, and more helped to share the beauty and wonders of the natural world with people around the globe.

Since the 1800s, artistic works have inspired people to travel, dream, explore, and visit their national parks and other public lands.

Today, creative arts continue to play a major role in our national parks. Artists of various mediums - like painters, photographers, sculptors, authors, poets, musicians, composers, videographers, dancers, playwrights and more - help capture a moment in time and inspire others. People come to national parks for many different reasons and Artists-In-Residence programs provide opportunities for artists to connect with some of America's most treasured places.

The National Park Service recognizes the importance of art in our lives and helps to support artists by offering Artist-In-Residence programs. Through their residency, artists have time to be inspired, create artistic works, and share their vision with the public through presentations.

Rocky Mountain National Park, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, is one of over 50 NPS sites that currently host an Artist-In-Residence program. The AIR program looks different at each participating/hosting park, so be sure to check the park's official website for specific program details.