Artist-in-Residence Program

Administering Organizations: National Park Service, California State Parks, and Redwood Parks Conservancy

Program Description: The Artist-in-Residence program provides an opportunity for eligible artists to spend two to four weeks at Redwood National and State Parks to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape. The program welcomes writers, sculptors, photographers, painters, dancers, cinematographers, musicians, composers, and other visual and performing artists.

Geographic Scope

• Location: Redwood National and State Parks, California

Eligibility

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Established and emerging artists welcome
• International artists may apply, but the park cannot facilitate visas
• Must pass a federal background check to access NPS facilities
• Must apply as an individual, not on behalf of a group

Program Focus Areas

Art should address the park's primary themes:

• The ancient redwood forest and its universal, spiritual significance
• Coastal redwood forests as icons of the modern conservation movement and their representation of cultural and social values over time
• Rare forests, watersheds, marine environments, and their role as refuges for rare and endangered species; ecosystem restoration
• The journeys of Tolowa, Yurok, Chilula, and Hupa peoples; cultural history and human rights lessons
• Geologically active landscapes shaped by earth movements, water events, and climate change
• Hope and restoration themes, including amplifying traditional voices and forest restoration

Financial Support

Stipend: Up to $5,000 provided to facilitate logistical needs

• 50% awarded upon arrival at Redwood National and State Park
• 50% awarded upon receipt of the donated artwork to Redwood Parks Conservancy

Expectations

• Selected artist must donate an original piece of art representative of their style and reflecting the residency experience within six months of the stay
• Donation goes directly to Redwood Parks Conservancy for fundraising purposes
• Work will NOT be accessioned into NPS museum collection
• Must present a public program during residency
• Artist must provide their own supplies and transportation
• Limited indoor space for storage or work may be available
• Must abide by all park rules and regulations, including prohibitions against collecting items, installing anything, or climbing/attaching to trees

Selection Process

Application Limit: Only the first 25 complete applications will be accepted

Selection Committee: Comprised of park partners and community arts leaders

Selection Criteria:

• Degree of integrity, artistic maturity, and professionalism
• Quality of work
• Appropriateness to the residency as illustrated by the particular art form and its connection to park resources
• Artist's personal statement of desire to participate, viewing the stay as a serious opportunity for enrichment and personal development

How to Apply

Complete application materials must be submitted. Only the first 25 complete applications will be accepted.

Required Materials:

• Artist's personal statement of desire to participate in the residency, viewing the stay as a serious opportunity for enrichment and personal development as an artist
• Portfolio or work samples demonstrating the artist's practice
• Artist biography and CV
• Proof of age (18 or older)

Note: Specific submission format and additional required materials are not detailed in the available content. Contact Redwood Parks Conservancy directly for complete application instructions and submission guidelines.