Artist-in-Residence Opportunities
- National Park Service: Be an Artist-in-Residence
Artists have created art in national parks since the late 19th century when famed Hudson River painters captured the majestic views of our nation’s western parks. Today, the sights and sounds in national parks continue to inspire artists in more than 50 residency programs across the country.Whether staying in a remote wilderness cabin at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, or contemplating history at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa, or working in a contemporary studio overlooking the stone-lined fields at Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut, these programs provide artists with unique opportunities to create works of art in varied natural and cultural settings.
There are programs for visual artists, writers, musicians and other creative media. Programs vary, but residencies are typically 2-4 weeks in length and most include lodging. Often artists are invited to participate in park programs by sharing their art with the public.
Many parks offer programs and each park manages its own process. Click here to see a directory of parks.
- Ragdale, Lake Forest, IL
Not specifically for botanical artists but a wonderful place none the less, Ragdale is one of the premier interdisciplinary artists communities in the country and hosts up to 200 artists, writers, and composers each year. It is located 30 miles north of Chicago, on the beautiful country estate of Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. The gardens open onto 55 acres of pristine preserved prairie – what a treat!
These resources are listed for information only. No endorsement of any program or instructor is implied.