Help us Spread the Word

Are you passionate about art and water?

Join us for an exciting opportunity to be part of the MRG Urban Waters Partnership Artist-in-Residence Program, a collaboration between EPA, the Urban Waters Partnership, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We plan to offer a 12 to 18 month stipend beginning in early 2025, providing the selectd artist (or artists) a unique platform within the community to showcase their talents and highlight our urban waterways through art.

Artist in Residence Program Overview

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Artist in Residence (AIR) pilot initiative to address critical water quality challenges was developed in response to President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) on Arts and Humanities (EO 14084 Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services, October 5, 2022). The EO is designed to spur investment and alignment of arts and culture across the federal government, make art more accessible and understandable to people from underserved communities, elevate new voices through the arts and humanities, and expand opportunities for artists and scholars. Ultimately, through the AIR pilot, the EPA intends to support selected National Estuary Program (NEP) and Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations in their efforts to demonstrate how arts and culture can help inform efforts to work more effectively with communities, build understanding of water quality and other environmental concerns, build stronger connections between communities and natural resources, and better meet communities’ unique needs.

The EPA AIR pilot, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will support a broad range of local artists and culture bearers in six geographic areas within National Estuary Programs (NEP) and Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) locations. These locations include:

1. The Passaic River and Bronx and Harlem Rivers Urban Waters Federal Partnerships: New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary Program
2. The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership
3. The Greater Philadelphia Area/Delaware River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
4. The Green-Duwamish Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership: Puget Sound Partnership
5. The Middle Rio Grande/Albuquerque Urban Waters Federal Partnership
6. The Middle Rio Grande River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership: Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership

MRG Artist in Residence Program

The Middle Rio Grande River Artist in Residence program will consist of an investigatory phase, during which the artist will be embedded in Ciudad’s organization to get to know our work, our watershed, and our communities. During the investigatory phase, the artist will propose a creative project based on their experience. Once accepted, the artist will have up to fifteen months to implement the creative project. Throughout the residency, artists are expected to participate in and generate community engagement activities.

During the implementation phase, the artist will be responsible for producing the artwork and carrying out the community engagement plan with support from Ciudad and regular check-ins with the project team.

At this time, Ciudad expects that the artist’s creative project aligns with one or more of our project improvement areas and could be permanent, temporary, or ephemeral in nature.

Budget: Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District has $158,000 for the Artist in Residency program. The budget is all-inclusive and will be allocated towards all phases of the project. The budget includes the artist design fee, stipend, travel to Washington D.C., and all costs associated with the implementation of the creative project. Implementation may include, but is not limited to, fabrication, production, assistants, studio rental, and transportation. The program does not provide lodging for artists at any phase of the project. All additional travel costs are the responsibility of the artist through the project budget. 

The budget breakdown is as follows: A budget of $29,891 will be available for supplies as needed for construction or fabrication (i.e., steel, wood, paint, all other parts of finished art piece, etc.) of the artist’s project. A budget of $1,240 will be provided for travel to Washington D.C. to meet other Artist in Residence artists and EPA program officials. The remaining $126,869 will cover the artist design fee and stipend and stipends for finalists.

Artists will be paid on a monthly basis during all phases of the project. The exact fee will be determined by the artist and Ciudad. This fee includes the development of the creative project concept.

Elgibility: The AIR program is open to all visual, literary, and performing artists. Artist teams or collaboratives of up to two people may apply. Eligible artists must be…

• New Mexico Residents
• Able to commit for the full duration of the AIR program with Ciudad between February 2025 and Summer 2026
• Experienced in creating community-engaged and/or public art
• Experienced working in and with communities and interested in the environment and sustainability
• Able to independently travel within the Middle Rio Grande Watershed
• Experienced with managing budgets and implementation of creative projects
• Ciudad has a preference for artists with…
  • Understanding and appreciation for the diverse cultural and geographic landscape of the Middle Rio Grande River Watershed
  • Experience working on creative projects with diverse groups

The Middle Rio Grande River watershed is one of the most diverse watersheds in New Mexico. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds - representative of our rich diversity - to apply.

How can you prepare to apply?

We will be recieving applications soon! During our first round of applications we will be asking for a current resume, an artist statement, and examples of past work. Our Request for Qualifications (estimated release November 22nd) will outline all additional application and contractual requirements.  Keep an eye out for this official call for applications! We apologize for any confusion as we are still working out the details for recruitment of artists. More details to come soon!

1. Resume

A current résumé demonstrating relevant work experience and education, including public art or otherwise. Copies of published magazine or newspaper articles, letters of recommendation, etc., may be included, but should not exceed three pages.  

Up to three professional or personal references that have intimate knowledge of the artist’s work and working methods. The list must include complete and current addresses and telephone number(s), or e-mail.

2. Artist Statement (PDF format)

Please provide a brief statement (5000 character limit). This should be a brief description of your artwork style, inspiration, the themes of your work, experience with community engagement and other relevant information.

3. Samples of Previous Work (PDF and MP4 format)

Please choose up to three digital samples of your previous work and submit in PDF format. You may also include one video of a previous project or performance in MP4 format. Provide a numbered image key of each submitted image including artist’s name, artwork title, dimension/size, media, and date of completion in PDF format. 

If you have any questions, please contact annie@ciudadswcd.org

Round 2 Applications:

Three finalists from Round 1 will be selected for interviews. Finalists will be giving a stipend of up to $1,000 for their time completing their proposal and interviewing with the Selection Committtee. Finalists will be selected no later than December 31st. 

Projected Program Timeline: This is an estimate! We are currently NOT accepting applications. 

• November 22nd - December 31st 2024 - Accepting Applications 
• January 1st - 15th - Artist Qualification Review and Selection by Committee 
• January 15th - 30th - Finalist Presentation/Interviews
• February 1st - Cohort of Artists Announced
• February 2025- Summer 2025- Onboarding and Investigatory Phase
• Summer 2025 - Summer 2026- Implementation Phase