Call Description

Located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Artist in Residence program at Grand Canyon National Park offers contemporary artists working in immersive, interactive, or social forms a special opportunity to live and work in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments for up to 8 weeks. 

In 2027, three artists will be selected to develop a place-based project that deepens the public and community understanding of and connection to Grand Canyon’s historical, cultural, and environmental significance.

In alignment with the National Park Service’s objectives for creative interpretation, the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Artist in Residence program is committed to supporting a broad range of voices, especially those frequently underrepresented.

Residency Period

Selected artists will live and work on site at the South Rim of Grand Canyon for 4-8 weeks while pursuing the completion of a project on site. Artists are encouraged to provide an average of two meaningful public interactions for every week on-site, with equal attention given to the creation of work and the artist's well-being. 

Artists may indicate their preferred dates and potential scheduling conflicts, though not all preferred dates can be accommodated. Artists are often invited to contribute to these events: 

• May – Grand Gathering GCC Donor Event
• Aug – May – Grand Canyon K-12 School in Session (no school June-July)
• Sept – Celebration of Art Festival

Please note that we do not typically host residents between December 15 and February 15 due to weather challenges. 

Provided Resources

Artists selected for a 2027 residency will receive a weekly stipend of $800, a travel subsidy of $500, up to $300 for project supplies, free private or shared accommodations, special park access, staff support, marketing exposure, and opportunities to work with Grand Canyon School, as well as engage with Conservancy leadership and donors. Alumni are invited to participate in additional opportunities, including online alumni gatherings, proposal review, webinars, blog posts, mentorship, and return visits. *Accessible and family-friendly housing is available if required.

Application Requirements

Artists should prepare to provide the following by the deadline in Call for Entry. Application materials may not be submitted by email or after the deadline.  If you are struggling to use the application software or application form, please reach out to Call for Entry directly.  

GENERAL INFO 

Ethnicity, gender, online account information (website, social media handles, etc.), communication preferences, accessibility needs, experience with the Grand Canyon and/or the Southwest, and preferred residency dates. 

*If applying as a team of two, please provide info for the primary contact. See more information about applying as a duo or group here.

ARTIST MATERIALS 

• Short Bio (under 1000 characters including spaces)
• Artist Statement (upload)
• CV or Resume (optional upload)
• Press / Media: Articles, publications, relevant media (optional upload)

RESIDENCY PROJECT PROPOSAL

This is an artist-run residency, so we understand that ideas change and projects evolve. Do your best to provide a detailed project description so we understand what you plan to do. We fully anticipate the evolution of your project once you’ve arrived on site and begin working with the site and its “materials.” We will support you in that evolution.

• Project Title  (under 1000 characters including spaces)
• Short Description: 2-3 sentence marketing description for the public. (under 1000 characters including spaces)
• Long Description: Illustrating the various components of the project for peer review understanding. Please include answers to the following questions:
  • What does the project look like? When and where does it happen, and for what duration?
  • How will a person interact with your project?
  • What aspects of Grand Canyon National Park will the work explore, and why is this important?
  • Will there be any stand-alone artwork produced as a result of this project?  (i.e., pamphlets, photos, paintings, sculptures, sound files, videos)
  • For a collaborative duo or group: How will you work together to produce the work?

Response to the following question:

How has your previous experience prepared you for this project?

DOCUMENTATION

Please provide documentation of previous work that demonstrates your ability to complete your proposed project (up to 20 portfolio items):

• 5 - 15 portfolio images with titles, dates, medium, and descriptions.
• Up to 3 video/audio clips (at 3 minutes max each) with titles, dates, medium, and descriptions.
• Text (up to 3 poems and/or 10 pages of prose or nonfiction) with notes for context if needed.

APPLICATION FEE

Because we are a non-profit organization, we request that applicants pay the nominal fee of $25.00. This covers a portion of the application software and administrative hours required for the proposal process. We will waive the fee for Indigenous artists of Grand Canyon’s 11 associated Tribal Nations with proof of membership. If this applies to you, please email us with your membership at residency@grandcanyon.org.

Eligibility Criteria

Annually, a peer review panel selects three project proposals for the coming year. Artist proposals are selected for the maturity of their previous work, success with the public, and potential impact that their proposed project can make on the interpretation, preservation, and celebration of Grand Canyon both during and after their residency.

Grand Canyon Conservancy receives 300+ applications for the Artist in Residence program annually. Priority is given to:

• Artists who explore concepts, perspectives, and narratives that have been traditionally underrepresented.
• Projects that are clearly well researched, specific to Grand Canyon, and can meaningfully engage our community.
• Artists with demonstrated success in engaging groups of people with their work.
• Artists whose work reaches beyond representation and engages people in an experience.
• Projects that can evolve over time and extend beyond in-park audiences.

Please note: Applications open May 15, 2026.