Artist-in-Residence Program at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Explore Creativity in a Cultural Landscape

The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM), in collaboration with the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA), invites artists to partake in a transformative residency amidst one of the United States’ richest cultural landscapes. This unique Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program offers a profound connection between art, history, and nature, fostering creativity and inspiration in an extraordinary setting.

About the Monument

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, designated in 2000, encompasses 174,000 acres of awe-inspiring high desert terrain, holding the highest density of cultural sites in the country. These sites, estimated to number around 30,000, reflect human habitation spanning over 10,000 years. The monument is the ancestral home to 26 Associated Tribes and Pueblos, preserving their cultural heritage and traditions within its rugged beauty.

Program Highlights

• Residency Period: Two weeks, with flexible options for longer stays.
• Location: Nestled in the Four Corners Region of Southwest Colorado, near Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park.
• Stipend: $600, generously provided by SCCA.
• Exhibition: Showcase your work at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum.

Residency Seasons

• Summer Residency (Indigenous Applicants Only): This two-week summer residency is dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists, providing a meaningful opportunity to explore creative expression rooted in Indigenous heritage, cultural identity, and connection to the land. The residency culminates with a public presentation by the Artist-in-Residence during the Four Corners Indigenous Art Market, held on the fourth Saturday of June at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum.
• Winter Residency (Open to All Applicants): Open to artists of all backgrounds, the winter residency invites creative individuals to engage with the unique cultural and natural landscape of the Canyons of the Ancients region. This inclusive two-week program offers space for reflection, artistic exploration, and dialogue across diverse perspectives. Residencies are scheduled for January or February, with exact dates coordinated in collaboration with the selected artist.

Your Experience

Artists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural and natural wonders of CANM, engaging with its extensive collections through guided tours and research opportunities. You will host one public event, contribute at least a digital copy of an original artwork to the CANM/SCCA AiR collection (original works are warmly welcomed but not required), and embody the principles of responsible stewardship and conservation.

Accommodations

Application Requirements

• Application Form
• 2 to 5 digital samples of work
• Public event proposal
• Application questions about your motivation and goals for the residency
• Donation to SCCA (optional)

Click here to apply 

Click here for full program details 

For more information, contact:

Markleigh Swanson
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance
Executive Director
swcocanyons@gmail.com