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.   

Please note that the live/workspace has quiet hours from approximately 8 am to 7 pm daily. Sound and movement are limited as a result. Other spaces may be provided for rehearsals when available.  

Application Requirements

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Brief Bio (up to 200 words)
2. Cover Letter (optional)
3. Artist Statement
4. Work Samples: up to 10 images, pages, and/or minutes of media that show the depth and breadth of your current creative practice with titles, dates, medium, and descriptions.
5. Press / Media Coverage (optional)
6. Responses to the following questions:

• Why Grand Canyon National Park? (up to 100 words)
• How do you anticipate spending your time while on-site? (up to 200 words)
• How might your work connect people emotionally and intellectually to Grand Canyon? (up to 500 words)
• Briefly describe two different public programs you'd like to facilitate, including a title and a short 1-2 sentence marketing description for each. Please specify what audience you have in mind (visitors, staff, residents, youth) and what kind of location would be ideal. Limited staff assistance and equipment are available for public programs.

APPLICATION FEE 

The application fee is $45.  

Five no-fee hardship grants will be awarded to those who exhibit the need on a first-come-first-served basis. Please send an email briefly explaining why you require a hardship grant to the Residency Program Manager, Clover Morell, at cmorell@grandcanyon.org.  

American Indigenous artists with recognized tribal affiliations may apply for free. Please send your name and tribal affiliation to cmorell@grandcanyon.org in advance of completing an application to receive a coupon. 

DECISIONS 

Artists are reviewed by a panel of peer professionals. They rate each application based on the following criteria:  

• Gives visibility and voice to the environment and/or communities of the Grand Canyon
• Focuses on narrative or conceptual perspectives that have otherwise been excluded, hidden, unknown, untold, or under-emphasized
• Exhibits concepts beyond realistic visual representations of the land and/or sky
• Shows technical skill and knowledge of the chosen medium
• Shows demonstrated commitment to creative practice. (i.e., strong body of work, exhibition history, education, gallery representation, professional affiliations, and/or 5+ years of practice)
• Strong, clear public program ideas
• Inclusive, accessible, family-friendly, and environmentally conscious work
• Resonates emotionally and intellectually with the viewer and/or participant
• Proposed on-site work is clearly aligned with previous work

We are especially interested in artists from under-represented backgrounds with recent work samples and experience working with the public. Final decisions are made with an effort to represent a diversity of artists from varying backgrounds and disciplines.  

Three residencies are available in 2024. Applicants will be notified of decisions by September 15, 2023. 

PLEASE NOTE: Artists offered a residency in 2024 may not defer to another year.  

For any questions, please contact Clover Morell, Residency Program Manager, at cmorell@grandcanyon.org or 928-638-7154 (calls only, no texts). 

Eligibility Criteria

Any artist over 18 is welcome to apply.