Artist in Residence

Late summer scene of sunflowers in the shortgrass prairie

NPS

Since Thomas Moran and William Henry Jackson, whose paintings and photographs influenced Congress to establish Yellowstone National Park, artists have continued to impact the formation, expansion and direction of our National Park system. Today’s visual artists document the landscape and cultural features of our parklands, following both traditional techniques and contemporary approaches that stir the imaginations and wanderlust of visitors from around the world. Writers, musicians, composers, sculptors, story tellers, dancers and other performing artists draw inspiration from and focus the attention of new generations on our national treasures. Artists translate the purposes of the National Parks—places of pleasure, places for preservation and for the enlightenment even of those who may never have the opportunity to visit many of their parks in person. Capulin Volcano is proud to continue this tradition.

What an Artist-in-Residence Does

The Artist-in-Residence program at Capulin Volcano National Monument offers professional writers, composers, visual and performing artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline in the park’s inspiring and stimulating environment. Artists are selected by a jury of park employees based solely on the quality of that year’s applicants’ presentations from all disciplines. However, in any given year, the park may choose to stipulate (or limit) the disciplines from which it accepts applications, based on compatibility with current programming objectives and needs. A volunteer form will be filled out by the selected applicants and submitted for approval. Selected artists stay in fully furnished housing located within Capulin Volcano National Monument. If the artist prefers to use their own trailer or RV, there are spaces at Capulin Volcano with full hookups. No application fee is required and no stipend is provided.

The Artist-in-Residence Program Benefits the Artist and the Park.

The primary purpose of the program is to give qualified artists an opportunity to live and practice their chosen discipline, following their own inspirations, in a National Park. In return for the opportunity, the artist agrees to contribute to Capulin Volcano’s mission through at least one public program while pursuing their own artistic growth and donating one piece they have created inspired by their stay at Capulin.

 

Shortgrass prairie sunset

NPS

Program on Hold For 2026

We are currently working on a new program and have decided to not take applications for 2026. Artists are always welcome to come to Capulin and visit, and to take inspiration from our amazing volcanic landscape.

For additional information, please contact us at e-mail us