October 2019 Monthly Theme: Arts in Parks

Row of four drawings of various prehistoric life
The annual National Fossil Day Art Contest challenges youth of all ages to interpret prehistoric life through art.

Artwork by National Fossil Day Art Contest contestants

Whether shaped by nature or preserving the legacy of people (or both!), parks are works of art that in turn inspire artists. How can people find their muse in parks and public lands?

Find your muse in parks during National Arts & Humanities Month! Parks have been and continue to be the inspiration and refuge of many preservationists, writers, and artists of all kinds. This month for our monthly theme, parks, NPS programs, and partnerships can share art stories, masterpieces, and opportunities to create art.

For parks, NPS programs, and our partners, here are some thoughts to inspire you!

  • Showcase your park, program, or partnership’s connection to the arts, including how arts were used in the past or today.

  • Host art events, such as plein art painting, Instameets, writing workshops, or poetry slams.

  • Invite people to find their muse and share art inspired by your park or program.

  • Create physical or virtual galleries on your website or social media of art created by your own staff, visitors, or school programs.

  • Introduce employees, interns, and volunteers that create or preserve artwork, including Artists-in-Residence.

  • Tell a story through the arts using an online gallery or articles featuring art in your collections.

  • Share or create lesson plans and kids programs about artists or the arts.

  • Plot out a trip itinerary (thing to do or trip idea) centered around the arts in your park or region.

Social Media

Social media hashtags for our monthly theme are #ArtsInParks and #NPSMuse. Don’t forget to use #FindYourPark / #EncuentratuParque so the NPS national accounts and the National Park Foundation can easily find and possibly share your posts!

Where appropriate, link back to these pages or park websites on NPS.gov:

Other October Themes & Activities

Can you find ways to connect any of these additional themes and activities to the monthly servicewide theme or yearlong themes of encouraging recreational opportunities and tackling deferred maintenance? Throughout the month, there are many other themes and celebrations that NPS parks, programs, and partners can join in. Find more information about these topics related to the NPS and common social media hashtags to use for a few of the other things happening in October:

Last updated: June 26, 2019