Breathtaking from the moment you first cast eyes on it, Grand Canyon is just that–Grand. The natural and cultural significance of Grand Canyon makes it one of the Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a sacred place of serenity and reflection that invites exploration and adventure, instilling both gratitude and humility. Grand Canyon is a cultural touchstone for those who came before and those who have yet to come.
Grand Canyon Conservancy's Artist-in-Residence program supports contemporary solo artists who wish to contribute to the cultural and aesthetic legacy of Grand Canyon. The Artist-in-Residence program is directly tied to the National Park Service's priority of expanding equity and inclusion through storytelling and the Grand Canyon Conservancy's mission "to inspire generations of park champions and to cherish and support the natural and cultural wonder of Grand Canyon." We define "storytelling" as the aesthetic or conceptual interpretation of a site through any artistic medium.
Solo contemporary artists exploring concepts of conservation, cultural identity, or community through any discipline are encouraged to apply. We prioritize artists whose work and outreach programs best fit the park's Interpretation and Education goals of telling stories that have been excluded, hidden, unknown, untold, or under-emphasized. Applications should show continuity between your previous practice and proposed work on-site.
The residency embraces an artist-focused, open-ended model that prioritizes on-site research and exploration to create exciting new work and deepen relationships between the public and Grand Canyon. The residency is highly immersive, and while community outreach is important, artists are free to work independently and spend time on-site as they wish. Working on-site requires a resourceful, adventurous, and flexible attitude and can bring many first-time challenges. We wish to provide a life-changing opportunity for our artists and look forward to the artistic output that is generated as a result.
Selected artists live and work at the Grand Canyon South Rim in Arizona for up to eight weeks in a private one-bedroom apartment above the historic Verkamp's Visitor Center overlooking the Canyon. In addition to free live/work space, a weekly stipend of approximately $400 is offered to offset the costs of travel, food, and supplies. Residents will have first-hand access to the natural beauty of Grand Canyon National Park, park leadership, staff expertise, on-site resources, archives, and visitors from around the world. Each artist is asked to provide at least two public programs lasting a minimum of 45 minutes each during their stay. These can be experiential workshops, presentations, or interactive art projects that connect people with the Grand Canyon, its land, skies, and/or community.