Big Bend Terms and Conditions

COVID-19 SAFETY: Face masks may be required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS buildings and facilities. Park operations vary based on local public health conditions. Before a residency, please check the park website to determine its operating status. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus

All artists are encouraged to apply, as the Big Bend National Park Artist in Residence program is designed for all artists to pursue their particular art form while surrounded by the inspiring landscape and history of Big Bend National Park. The prospective candidate must present a cohesive body of work, a complete application including their resume, biography and proposal of their residency project and how it reflects and may be inspired park resources. All candidates must have merit and/or experience in at least one of the following areas: two dimensional artwork, sculpture, music, linguistics, writing, performance art, film, and/or ethnographic fine art, or any other appropriate artist medium. The artist in residence will be granted lodging, and a venue for at least one workshop, lecture or concert and the possibility of an arts donation.

Artists will present, at minimum, one 1-hour public program, workshop, concert or lecture during their residency at Big Bend National Park. This can be presented either at the park facilities or another venue as deemed appropriate by NPAF and NPS (this venue may be online post-residency at NPAF/NPS discretion). Artists must provide their own supplies and equipment for these presentations. We also encourage artists to give more public presentations at the areas surrounding the park and in their own community about their residency experience in Big Bend National Park, to further broaden the reach of the program’s purpose and the goals of the NPS and NPS Centennial Objectives. These presentations may be recorded and the artist agrees to be photographed and or videoed for purposes of education and promotion. 

Artists need to provide all of their own insurance for liability, health, covering, but not limited to art supplies, equipment, personal items, reliable transportation and any insurances governing commercial permitting for required park permits. Neither NPAF nor NPS will provide any insurance for any part of the artist in residence program. Artists should be self-sufficient, independent and enjoy working in an isolated environment and able to commit to the full Artist in Residence (AIR) term. The AIR artist must remain accommodating to inquiring park visitors because of the thoroughfare of their location and/or workspace. The artist is expected to comply with all park regulations and policies governing park employees, volunteers and visitors.

The participating artists may donate an original piece of work inspired by their residency in Big Bend National Park. The donation of artwork will be coordinated by and through National Parks Arts Foundation. Donated work must be received no later than a year after the artist’s residency. Artists are required to provide copyright of donated artwork to NPS/NPAF. 

Admission to the residency program will take place as scheduled, and is open to people from all countries. All prospective candidates from outside of the United States must ensure their own proper documentation as it pertains to travel within and to the United States. Each applicant will be required to submit at least 3 pieces of artwork, audio or video files to be considered by renowned judges, Big Bend National Park staff and/or NPAF.

The artist-in-residence program may be canceled or interrupted due to a government shutdown, for unforeseen circumstances or during any hazardous weather conditions including, but not limited to, poor environmental levels, fire danger, etc. The remainder residency term may be negotiated to be made up at a later date, but NPAF cannot guarantee or be held responsible for AIR interruptions or cancelations because of Government decisions or natural causes.

All terms herein may change or be canceled without notice and are subject on the approval of the NPS, NPAF and other governing entities. All AIR participants may be required to accept further conditions, contracts and agreements including but not limited to; codes of conduct, special use permits, rules and regulations, housing agreements, volunteer in the parks contract and any other apparent and unforeseen agreements required of any governing entity, namely the NPS, NPAF and/or NPS concessionaires. THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, FROM TIME TO TIME IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION. WE WILL NOTIFY YOU OF AMENDMENTS TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS BY POSTING THEM TO THIS WEBSITE.