Can couples apply? Yes, but only one person applying is required to be an artist. That is the only way to get this residency. We insist that only a pair of artists (either a couple and/or artist duo) apply at this location. This is for reasons of caution and safety.  Even if you were the strongest and most capable person alive, a Survivor TV show winner, we would still insist on at least two people. Because of the isolated location, in case of an accident, a single person could lie there for an unacceptable amount of time before rescue.

How competitive is the application process? It varies from year to year and depends on the residence. We have more recently had 25 to almost 400 applicants many years ago. We simply never know and, as far as we can tell, unpredictable.

When will applicants be notified of their acceptance to be the Dry Tortugas National Park Artist in Residence? Because of the high volume of applications, if you have not received a notice of acceptance or alternate status, then unfortunately you have not been selected this year. On the occasion that the decision has been delayed, we will email our applicants to give notice of this.
 
What are the housing arrangements? Artists’ housing is in Loggerhead Key, as follows: there is a good-sized house with a master bedroom and large living room which past artists have used as a studio. You may on rare occasions share the house with a visiting NPS employee, scientist, or anyone the park approves. However, the last artists have not had to share the house except when the NPAF Founder and film crew for a documentary on the artists came to visit for a few nights. There are no housekeeping services, obviously.  Occupants are responsible for daily cleaning and final cleaning. This house is OFF THE GRID. However, there is solar power and you will have the most modern amenities including a washer and dryer, hot water, and power.

Question: Is a vehicle required for this residency? No. This is a tiny key and there are no drivable roads, and the frigate birds would laugh at you. However,  Artists must have their own transportation to Fort Jefferson, and be responsible for any stay on Key West in the days prior to or after the residency. You will, however, have to make arrangements to get to-from the residency and this includes scheduling with the NPS and/or concessioner when to transfer you from the islands. We will notify you if the concessioner(s) can participate in transportation.

 Can an applicant apply for other NPAF Artist in Residence programs and workshops simultaneously? Yes. You can even apply with the exact same proposal but adapted for a different park or monument- who knows it may work better in other parks.

May an applicant apply with their Nom-de-Plume, pseudonym, faux-nom, or exhibit name? No. The name on the application must be the individual’s legal name. However, please include the above on your application if you prefer to be addressed and credited by them/it.

How do I apply?

https://nationalparksartsfoundation.submittable.com/submit/

What are the guidelines for submitting my digital images? We basically accept most file types and are looking for files no more than a resolution of 72 PPI, no more than 3MB, and no less than 1920 pixels. We basically need to see them clearly on a full screen.

Does NPAF only select artists whose work is specifically about the park? No. We are interested in artists being inspired by the park and, as our past artists, it is impossible not to be inspired in some way by the majestic beauty of the park. A performance artist with good artwork has just as much a chance at being selected as does someone who has been plein-air painting in the park for fifty years. We have a full panel of judges, who are at the top of the arts professions looking at the portfolios. This is not about taste or any agenda, it is about great artwork and giving an artist a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create fine art in a National Park.

Are the artists selected judged strictly on a scoring scale? Our curators, judges, and panelists are at the top of their profession in the arts and their names may be posted on the website. We may also consider input from cultural experts and the NPS. So, the answer is, no, because knowing and judging what art is and choosing appropriate candidates, goes far beyond just knowing a numbers scoring system.

Is there a stipend or other incentive for this AiR? Yes, we're able to give a $2,000 stipend to cover costs associated with the residence. This will occur AFTER the residency.

Do you accept international artists? Yes, but they must have all of the proper paperwork for the program of their own accord, though we will help them as much as possible.

I want to include more pieces of art because I feel like only a few works don’t represent my body of work. If you were to submit only one fabulous piece of work, its greatness would be recognized and not overlooked. You are not judged on volume. On the other hand, you can consider presenting an under the three-minute video if you so choose. Whatever you do, please present a cohesive body of work that represents your excellence in style.

Why can’t you just go to my website, Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook page, instead of my having to do all of this? Good point, but we don’t like to be influenced negatively by the anti-aesthetic platforms and social media contextualized artwork. Certainly, they can be viewed there but placement in social media or obscure curation is an influential factor, and we would like to see it standing on its own.

Will I be considered an employee of the National Park service while I am there? The NPAF works on a Partnership Model for its AiR programs and the park may ask you to sign a “VIP” or Volunteer in the Park paperwork. In that case, you are classified and registered as a volunteer.

What if I am accepted to the program but my availability changes? Unfortunately, because the NPS and NPAF have scheduled other dependent things around an artist committing to the AiR,(including funding and news/media) we will not be able to change our schedule and will have to ask one of the alternate selected artists to be the Dry Tortugas Artist in Residence.

Can I reapply even if I have been accepted in previous years? Yes.

Can I apply to other NPAF programs and while participating in them put me “ahead” for the AiR program? Yes, you can apply and though it doesn’t guarantee you will be accepted into our other NPAF programs such as AiRs, workshops, or museum exhibitions, our teachers are top of their field in showing you how to present your most cohesive body of work and be successful at it.

Will there be chances to display my artwork outside of the Artist in Residence time period? Yes, we are planning exhibits at many parks through the NPS and NPS concessionaires. The work you donate to the park will be automatically included in that park museum collections and archived. This AiR may present many opportunities.

Don’t hesitate to email questions to: info@nationalparksartsfoundation.org