Studio/Work space And Residence
Verkamp’s is a stunning historical building perched on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In 1906, John Verkamp opened a store in this building, while housing his family in the second floor quarters. Sales items focused on regional Native American arts and crafts. Verkamp’s was run by multiple generations of the Verkamp family until 2008.
Today Verkamp’s hosts a downstairs visitor center and museum store that features a history of the Grand Canyon community, as well as a bookstore run by the Grand Canyon Association. The upstairs apartment has become the housing for the year-round Artist-in-Residence program, offering not only unique views of the Canyon from its private balcony, but also an unparallel work space sure to inspire visiting artists.
The selected artists will share the Verkamp’s apartment with one Volunteer in Park staff member who works in the visitor center downstairs. The apartment has a large sunny living room, full kitchen and bath, one large bedroom (for the Volunteer), one small bedroom (for the artist) and a 15′ X 15′ studio/work space overlooking the canyon. Because the space is shared with a staff member who will be keeping traditional work hours, the artist is expected to be flexible and accommodating regarding noise level during visitor center hours and after 10:00 p.m. A shared-housing agreement will be provided to the selected artists with their informational packets and an artist signature is expected upon arrival.
Since the second floor is reached by stairs, the apartment is not wheelchair accessible. Optional accommodations may be available during the winter months to selected artists with special needs; the alternative accommodations will be in the Grand Canyon community and will be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Please call René for more information, if you are in need of a wheelchair accessibility residence and she will advise you on availability.
Basic kitchen gear is provided including pots and pans, utensils, microwave, coffee maker, and tableware. Bed linens, towels and pillows will be provided. As of the time of this posting, no oven is available but there is a four-burner stove.
Artists are expected to provide their own materials for their studio and provide their own food. Your work should require no technical support equipment as there are limited resources in our little community. WIFI and public computers are available in our public library and around the community but not in the residence. Please bring your cell phone. Artists should come prepared with everything that they will need in studio. If you are a selected artist, you will get comprehensive information on what is available in the community before your arrival so that you can plan accordingly.
Please know that the studio/work space provided for the incoming artists will have a minimum of support furniture. No kiln, casting, printing press, power tools, film or photography equipment or other specialty items are available. If you work in a medium that is not easily transported, please consider proposing a project that is in development or smaller scale suitable to the facilities. If you are interested in any category of art not listed here, please contact René or Robin to discuss whether your project is a good fit for the residency program.
A bicycle will be provided for the resident’s use (loaned bikes require the use of helmets, also provided by the park). No vehicle will be available, but there are many friendly locals who have lined-up to assist the artists with all aspects of their residency including grocery store runs and recreational offerings. René and Robin will facilitate the residencies, help coordinate your programming and be available to the artists as support staff
