Artists in National ParksArt and national parks have gone hand in hand for generations. Thomas Moran’s paintings of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone helped lead to the creation of the world’s first national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park. Now 431 national park units exist in the United States and inspire millions of visitors every year to continue to preserve and protect this land. Program OverviewThe Carlsbad Caverns National Park AIR Program is open to all tangible media including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. With the creative studio set in a national park, artists must respect park rules and regulations, such as leave no trace principles and wilderness zone restrictions. Our artists are restricted to these tangible media forms for a few reasons: we desire the artist to be available to speak with the public while creating their work and we have strict protections in place for inside the cavern that limit other types of art media. 
Nick Hristov Eligibility and the Selection ProcessThe goal of the park's AIR program is to promote the creative means of connecting park visitors with the park's cultural and natural resources through an artistic lens while providing artists time and space to explore and develop their craft. Emerging and established artists over the age of 18 are encouraged to apply.The Carlsbad Caverns National Park AIR committee will make the final candidate selections based on the artist’s statement of intent, public outreach program plan, and submitted portfolio images. The committee will consider applications based on merit and relevance to the mission of the NPS and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The panel will focus on the following questions during the selection process: will the artwork help broaden diversity and add to the story of the park? Is the public outreach proposal engaging and will it provide visitors with new ways to experience the park? Will an AIR program in Carlsbad Caverns National Park help further the applicant’s artistic practice? Selections will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, marital status, or age. Only submitted materials will be judged. Site DescriptionCarlsbad Caverns National Park is located 27 miles from the city of Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico. The Park, at an elevation of 4400 feet, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine, low humidity, and approximately 10 inches of rainfall per year. The town of Carlsbad, (population 29,000), has all amenities and services including medical and dental facilities, motels, banks, restaurants, churches, grocery stores, department stores, and several recreation facilities. Information about Carlsbad and the Carlsbad area can be found at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce website, Carlsbad New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Schools include K-12, and the New Mexico State University - Carlsbad Campus. Other services can be found in Roswell (77 miles), El Paso, Texas (170 miles), Lubbock, Texas (180 miles), or Midland/Odessa, Texas (150 miles). Recreation opportunities are plentiful with Guadalupe Mountains National Park located 50 miles from the city of Carlsbad, two state parks (Brantley Lake and Living Desert Zoo), and the Lincoln National Forest within an hour's drive.Accommodations and Working ConditionsArtists will be housed in a private apartment unit, located near park headquarters. The unit will include a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, with all basic furniture supplied. A public for-fee laundry facility exists in the town of White’s City, about a 10-minute drive from the housing unit. A one-time, $500 stipend will be given to the artist that may be used to help pay for meals, supplies, or whatever else the artist may need. While housing is free, the artist is responsible for transportation. One spouse or partner may accompany the artist. No pets, only service animals are allowed.There is not a formal studio available, but artists are intended to use the cavern or visitor center for their creative space and inspiration. 
NPS Donation of WorkUpon completion of the 2–4-week residency, artists are expected to donate at least 1 piece of artwork to Carlsbad Caverns National Park to be displayed within our Visitor Center, with proper credit to the artist. We also require artists share high quality digital images/ files of work produced during their time in the park within 2 months of the end of their residency. The artist understands these images will be used for park media and presentations, for education, outreach, and promoting the AIR program with credit given to the artist any time the work is reproduced for this purpose.The artist retains all ownership of any secondary work they create during the residency, aside from the one donated piece of work. Artists can promote their work but are not allowed to sell items while in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Outreach ActivitiesProposals for artist outreach programs should be specific to Carlsbad Caverns and consider the mission of the National Park Service, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and topics related to ecology, history, culture, wilderness, etc.The artist is required to present 1 public program during their art residency in the park Visitor Center. Programs can vary from a presentation to a hands-on workshop to a demonstration. Artists are not required to host programs that involve personally supplying participants with material for hands on activities. The park’s Visual Information Specialist will aid artists in advertising the outreach program through creating Visitor Center fliers and updates to our social media platforms. 
Program LimitationsBesides park housing, entry into the park, and the $500 stipend, no other expenses are covered by the park. Due to its remoteness, artists will need to provide their own transportation and vehicle for the duration of their stay. If flying, the closest airport is in Roswell and Hobbs, NM and in Midland and El Paso, TX.How to Apply
1. Statement of Intent |
Last updated: February 14, 2025