Great Basin National Park Artist in Residence 2026

Artists have played an important role in the formation, preservation, and enjoyment of national parks. Artist interpretation of park landscapes through many types of media connects people to these special places, which is an essential part of the preservation and protection of America's national parks.

At Great Basin National Park, artists will be surrounded by natural beauty from the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the depths of Lehman Caves. The Park offers solitude, wilderness, and renowned dark-sky stargazing. Great Basin National Park is very remote; the closest town is Baker with few amenities. Amenities are available in Ely, Nevada, 60 miles away.

Four individuals will be selected for residencies in 2026. Summer residencies (2-3 weeks in July-August) are camping-based with most gear provided; artists must be confident with camping. Fall residencies (2-3 weeks in September camping or November housing) are available, with September coinciding with the Park's Astronomy Festival. Winter residencies (2-3 weeks in January-February) include Park housing with furnished private bedrooms in shared living spaces. Internet service is unavailable at all residencies; cell service is limited and varies by carrier. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Selected artists will be awarded housing but no other stipend; they must pay for travel, food, and other expenditures.

One regional Artist-in-Residence (AIR) will be selected from artists living and working in Nevada or Utah. Each AIR must present at least one public program during their residency and provide a digital portfolio of work created during the residency. Each AIR will donate one physical artistic piece (if applicable) with a digital representation within one year of residency. Artists will be selected based on their ability to interpret Great Basin National Park to the public, artistic integrity, and ability to reside in a remote location.

All artists must submit a professional resume, personal statement addressing "Why Great Basin National Park?" and a public program concept, and work samples: visual artists provide 6-12 images; writers/poets provide 6-12 short works or 1 long work; composers, musicians, performing artists, video, and film artists provide no more than six short selections (about 6 minutes total) or 1 long selection (about 10 minutes total). All materials must be submitted through the online process. Residencies are open to visual artists, literary artists, musicians, and other creative media artists nationwide, with one spot reserved annually for a regional artist from Nevada or Utah.