Artist-in-Residence

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The application period for the fall 2025 Artist-in-Residence program is now open! Applications will be accepted through March 1st, 2025. Application instructions are at the bottom of this page.

Be an Oregon Caves Artist-in-Residence

The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve invites established and emerging artists to pursue their particular art form surrounded by the beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains and the unique environs of the park. Artists are provided housing in the rustic Oregon Caves Chalet to live and to work on projects. Writers, sculptors, photographers, painters, cinematographers, musicians, sculptors, and composers are invited to apply for this opportunity to draw upon the many aspects of the park for inspiration.

The park is located in rural southwestern Oregon, deep within the rugged Siskiyou Mountains, 20 miles south of the small town of Cave Junction. Over 4,000 acres in size, the park features some 9-miles of trails through old growth forest situated in an area of tremendous geologic complexity and bio-diversity. The cave offers an opportunity to experience all of this from the inside out. Housing is in an historic chalet, which is just one feature of a National Historic District that includes the Oregon Caves Chateau, a National Historic Landmark. The chalet can serve as a base from which to experience the historic district, hike the trails, and the cave.

Goals of the Artist-In-Residence Program:

We look to the artist to capture some aspect of the park’s unique beauty with high quality art that interprets the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve experience. The intent is for the artist to translate the park’s purpose as a place of pleasure and preservation through creations that bring enjoyment and a deeper understanding of national parks for the public.

Living Arrangments:

No stipend is available for the position, but rent is paid for by the park. The artist will be housed in a rustic apartment within an historic three-story structure built in 1948. The apartment is on the third floor. It features a small living room, bedroom, and restroom. A communal kitchen is located on the second floor. Wifi is not available in the apartment, though a slow wifi connection is possible in other areas of the building. Much of the building serves as a dorm and workspace for ranger staff. The ground floor is the Oregon Caves Visitor Center. We cannot offer a stipend of any kind, but apartment rent is paid for by the park.

Eligibility and Selection Process:

The Artist-in-Residence program is open to both established and emerging artists, including writers, composers, sculptors and visual artists. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. All projects must abide by National Park Service policies.

Calendar:

The spring residence will be available late April through early June. The length of the residence is negotiable within this time frame. Please note, snow and ice still occur in late April. The fall residence will be available early September through end of October.

Eligibility and Selection Process:

The Artist-in-Residence program is open to both established and emerging artists, including writers, composers, sculptors and visual artists. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. A committee of park staff will review application materials. All projects must abide by National Park Service policies.

Expectations of the Artist:

In return for their stay the artist is asked to provide high quality digital Images of work within one year of the residency and the right to use those digital images in park media and presentations for education, outreach and marketing activities. The artist’s name will be cited in any use. The artist may be asked to present a public educational program within the park during their residency and/or participate in other activities as agreed upon mutually with park staff. Artists are encouraged to showcase their work. Artists are not required to donate work to the park or to park partners. Should they choose to, the park cannot guarantee that the work will be displayed or stored in park facilities.

Artists will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic quality and merit of the work submitted for review.
• Statement of Intent, including importance of an Oregon Caves NMP experience to creating the artist’s work.
• The artist’s proposed plans to ‘give back’ to the park and community through the sharing of artistic creation.

How to Apply:

Please provide the following application materials:

1. Brief resume
2. Three to five samples of work in electronic format
3. A brief statement of intent, approximately100 words, sharing what you hope to achieve from a residency at Oregon Caves. This is an opportunity to share your passion

This year's spring residence deadline is January 03, 2025. Email materials to: George_Herring@nps.gov