Acadia National Park Artist-in-Residence Open Call for 2022

The Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park encourages artists to create fresh and innovative new ways for visitors to experience the park through the arts. In exchange for 14 nights in park-provided housing over a residency year, participants are asked to host a public outreach activity with park visitors and donate one finished work of art that depicts a new perspective of Acadia drawn from their own experience. Pieces donated to the program collection are included in a permanent online catalog on the park website and displayed seasonally in public spaces within the park, surrounding communities, and beyond.

The program typically accepts about eight participants each year across four categories: four for Visual Arts (painting, textiles, sculpture, fine art photography, etc.), two for Writing (essays, poetry, drama, etc.), and two for "At-Large" categories (music, dance, indigenous arts, emerging technologies, etc.). Applications are reviewed by juries consisting of past program participants, subject matter experts, local community members, and park staff. Selections are based upon prior professional achievement and broader program goals to foster innovation, diversity, and relevance with new audiences. A required application fee of $25 benefits program operational costs.

Each residency lasts 14 nights, which participants may break up over multiple visits and seasons. Housing options include an apartment at the Schoodic Institute (available year-round), a room in a historic carriage road gatehouse on Mount Desert Island (typically November through March), or a rustic ranger cabin on Isle au Haut (typically June through September). Wheelchair-accessible housing is available. Participants must possess a valid driver's license and personal vehicle, as local transportation is not provided. There is no stipend beyond park housing. Selected artists travel to and participate at their own expense at the invitation of the park superintendent. Each public outreach activity is planned on a case-by-case basis and may be reimbursed up to $150 with receipts for supplies and materials. Donated artworks are limited to 48 inches on any side for two-dimensional pieces and roughly 18 inches square for three-dimensional pieces intended for indoor display. Artists retain copyright ownership but grant permission for limited ongoing use by the park for program promotion, public outreach, and development of sales items in park bookstores, with proceeds benefiting program operational costs.