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Artists have long drawn inspiration from national parks, creating works that showcase their beauty, foster cultural understanding, and deepen connections to nature and community. Since the 19th Century, their art has contributed to the cultural and historical legacy of the National Park Service and illuminated the importance of preserving these special places. At Chamizal National Memorial, the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program continues this tradition by using art to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of the US-Mexico border. The program invites artists from diverse disciplines—visual arts, performing arts, writing, and music composition—to create works that reflect the park’s themes of diplomatic resolution and cross-cultural cooperation. Through public engagement and creative expression, resident artists connect visitors with the enduring story of Chamizal and its role in fostering goodwill and understanding. AIR at Chamizal National MemorialThe AIR program welcomes professional artists from diverse disciplines, including composers, writers, stage performers, craftspeople, and visual artists. It provides an opportunity to work within Chamizal National Memorial, drawing inspiration from the rich US-Mexico border history and the unique landscape shaped by the Rio Grande. Rather than offering a place to reside, the residency centers on providing a creative space for artists to be an active part of this living memorial and engage in the park’s cultural and historical environment. Residencies are two months long and take place in spring and fall. The program welcomes accomplished artists with proven expertise in their field, emphasizing works that reflect Chamizal's primary interpretive themes. This opportunity is designed for established artists working within a defined discipline, rather than those experimenting with new mediums. Artists can choose from various creative spaces:
Each space has capacity to support and showcase the artist's work, providing a platform to engage with the public and highlight Chamizal as a living memorial. Artist RequirementsArtists are required to dedicate a minimum of 85 hours during the two-month residency, contributing to public engagement, creative work, and collaboration with park staff. Responsibilities are tailored to the artist’s discipline and chosen workspace. Create: The artist-in-residence will spend time in the park elaborating one or more works in your specified medium. Lead Public Programs: Conduct multiple 1- to 2-hour interactive programs, for a total of 4 hours, to engage park visitors. Your application will include your ideas for this activity; the actual program will be planned and conducted in collaboration with park staff. Provide Materials and Supplies: Chamizal will supply materials for public programs only. Artists are responsible for their personal materials for creative work during the residency. Collaborate with Park Staff: (approximately 8 hours)
Follow Guidelines: Communicate regularly with park staff and adhere to guidelines for the use of park spaces to ensure alignment with program goals. Share Your Experience: Work with park staff to provide a statement or interview that can be used to share with the public what you learned or gained from your experience. Keep Open “Studio”: Maintain a consistent schedule during core park visitation hours, typically Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule adjustments may be approved with at least one week’s notice to park staff. Creative work is performed in a publicly accessible space. Park visitors may watch and wish to engage. Park staff will be present to facilitate. Strike Exhibit: Artists may exhibit artwork in the Franklin G. Smith Gallery for one month during residency. It is the artist’s responsibility to remove all art by the close out date. Any shipping of artwork will be at the artist’s expense. Present Theater Performance(s): Showcase at least one performance in the theater; number of performances to be determined in coordination with park staff. Artistic design, casting, rehearsals, and directing are the artist’s responsibility. Chamizal provides technical support, including lighting, sound, and stage management. Creative Leadership: Oversee all aspects of production, from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with the agreed-upon schedule and program objectives. CompensationThe artist-in-residence receives $2,000 for 85 hours of work during a two-month residency. Supplies needed for the required public programs—including sets, costumes, and props—may be provided by the park. The park prefers to process payment via charge card. If this is not possible, artists must register with SAM.gov to receive electronic payments. How to ApplyApplications for the Fall season are accepted from August 1 to August 31, and for the Spring season from January 1 to January 31. Please send your application via email to CHAM_information@nps.gov, with the subject line “AIR Application.” A complete application must include the following:
Applicants must also select one of the following art forms and include the specific requirements in their application:
Selection ProcessApplications are evaluated using a scoring rubric with the following criteria: Artistic Merit
Thematic Relevance
Public Engagement Potential
Feasibility
Selections are tentative until a background investigation is favorably completed. Artists selected for the program must complete this investigation before working independently. Until the process is finished, any artist without a completed background investigation must be supervised at all times while inside the federal building. If you need more information, please email your questions and contact information to the AIR Coordinator with the subject line, “AIR Application." |
Last updated: March 29, 2025