Artist-in-Residence Program

Selected artists will be provided a stipend of up to $5,000 to facilitate their logistical needs. Half of the amount will be awarded upon arrival at Redwood National and State Park. The second half will be awarded upon receipt of the donated artwork to Redwood Parks Conservancy.

A committee of park partners and community arts leaders will review application materials and select the artist.

• The selection criteria include:
  • 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 the park resources. Art should address the park’s primary themes of:
    • The ancient redwood forest evokes a near-universal experience that provokes the human spirit, but challenges human description.
    • As icons of and inspiration for the modern conservation movement, the coastal redwood forest represents a living example of our changing (and sometimes competing) cultural and social values over time.
    • These rare forests, watersheds, and marine environments are home to an interrelated biotic community of plants and animals and provide increasingly important refuges for a number of rare and endangered species. The restoration of these ecosystems offers hope for the future of these irreplaceable species and the human capacity for inspiration, stewardship, and sustainability.
    • The journeys of Tolowa, Yurok, Chilula, and Hupa peoples, who continue to inhabit these rich and diverse lands, reveal cultural clashes of sometimes horrific proportion and stories of human resilience that provide enduring lessons about human rights, resourcefulness, interdependence, and respect for life.
    • One of the most geologically active areas in the world, the dynamic landscapes of Redwood National and State Parks are shaped by powerful earth movements, dramatic water events, and a changing climate. These same forces continue to shape the entire Earth, and instill in us an awareness of the interconnectedness, overwhelming power, and resilience of nature.
    • Redwood National and State Parks is a place of hope and restoration. Amplifying traditional voices, restoring forests, and the reintroduction of the California condor are some of the pieces needed to restore the puzzle of the north-coast redwoods.
  • 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

Include first and last name, mailing address, email address, and phone number

Your cover letter must include the following three parts:

1. A description of your practice and how you view the stay as an opportunity for enrichment and personal development as an artist.
2. A statement that you understand and agree to the following: 1) one piece of art created during the residency will be donated to Redwood Parks Conservancy for use at their discretion, 2) RPC will also have joint copyright of the donated item to use at their discetion, and 3) that you will abide by all park rules and regulations.
3. A note about how you intend to interpret Redwood National and State Parks, as well as your proposal to meet the park’s AIR program themes of:

• The ancient redwood forest evokes a near-universal experience that provokes the human spirit, but challenges human description.
• As icons of and inspiration for the modern conservation movement, the coastal redwood forest represents a living example of our changing (and sometimes competing) cultural and social values over time.
• These rare forests, watersheds, and marine environments are home to an interrelated biotic community of plants and animals and provide increasingly important refuges for a number of rare and endangered species. The restoration of these ecosystems offers hope for the future of these irreplaceable species and the human capacity for inspiration, stewardship, and sustainability.
• The journeys of Tolowa, Yurok, Chilula, and Hupa peoples, who continue to inhabit these rich and diverse lands, reveal cultural clashes of sometimes horrific proportion and stories of human resilience that provide enduring lessons about human rights, resourcefulness, interdependence, and respect for life.
• One of the most geologically active areas in the world, the dynamic landscapes of Redwood National and State Parks are shaped by powerful earth movements, dramatic water events, and a changing climate. These same forces continue to shape the entire Earth, and instill in us an awareness of the interconnectedness, overwhelming power, and resilience of nature.
• Redwood National and State Parks is a place of hope and restoration. Amplifying traditional voices, restoring forests, and the reintroduction of the California condor are some of the pieces needed to restore the puzzle of the north-coast redwoods.

Include a brief (no more than two pages) resume explaining your background, past exhibitions, education, and experience.

Include one to three references who can speak to your creative work.

• Visual artists: At least three but no more than 10 images, each image no more than 5MB in jpeg format.
• Writers: Any number of samples not to exceed a total length of 5 pages. Excerpts from longer pieces, with a general explanation of the original piece will be accepted
• Musicians: Audio or Digital media: No more than three examples, not to exceed a total duration of 15 minutes. Excerpts from longer works, with a brief written explanation of the original piece will be accepted.