Apply Now: Arizona State Parks Artist Residency

Overview

The Arizona State Parks Artist Residency Program is a collaborative initiative between Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Commission on the Arts designed to immerse Arizona-based artists in the state's natural ecosystems. The program provides artists with dedicated time, space, and resources to create work inspired by local landscapes, promoting aesthetic appreciation, environmental education, and community engagement.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• Oracle State Park residency: April 17 – May 1, 2027
• Rockin' River Ranch State Park residency: May 10 – May 23, 2027

Eligibility

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a resident of Arizona
• Have not received a residency through this program in the past 5 years
• Applicants may be practicing creatives in visual, performing, digital, literary, and multidisciplinary arts

Residency Locations & Accommodations

• Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr, Oracle, AZ: On-site cabin housing with fridge, microwave, AC, and WIFI; on-site workspace; full 24-hour access to park amenities
• Rockin' River Ranch State Park, 4513 S Salt Mine Rd, Camp Verde, AZ: 1950s Ranch House lodging with full kitchen and AC; private upstairs quarters; full 24-hour access to park amenities and Verde River recreational access

Resident Benefits

• $5,000 Artist Stipend
• $1,000 reimbursable materials budget
• On-site housing and dedicated workspace
• Full park access

Program Expectations

Resident artists are expected to participate in one required open studio session, have opportunities for public programming, and make connections with locals relevant to their work.

Application Requirements

Submit work samples completed in the last 10 years relevant to the opportunity, choosing the most appropriate format for your discipline: 5 minutes of recorded audio, 5 minutes of recorded video, 10 images, 5 pages of double-spaced text, or a combination (total review time should not exceed 5 minutes). For each work sample, provide title, date completed or premiered, location/site of exhibitions or presentations, dimensions if applicable, medium, and any collaborators. Do not submit promotional materials, event posters, social media stats, or reviews.

Application Narrative

Answer the following questions by typing your responses (each answer should be 250 words or less): (1) What about this park and program sparks your interest? How might this residency contribute to your growth as an artist and help you experiment with new ideas, techniques, or mediums and/or deepen community engagement and environmental awareness in your practice? (2) How do you describe your artistic practice? How do your past work or experiences inform and support what you hope to gain from the residency? Include a brief description for each work sample explaining how the work connects to your opportunity and its relevance to your proposal.

Evaluation Criteria

A panel of ASPT and Arts Commission staff will review applications based on: Artistic Vision and Alignment with Program Goals (the application should clearly articulate the applicant's artistic practice and how it aligns with the residency's goal); and Potential for Artistic Growth and Innovation (the application should demonstrate how the residency will facilitate the artist's growth and expand their artistic practice). The top scoring applications will be discussed by the panel and final selection will be made based on the needs of the park, community, and distinctiveness from previous residencies.