An innovative pilot residency celebrating art, ecology, and Indigenous cultural revitalization
The Mariposa County Arts Council, in partnership with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Mariposa County Parks & Recreation and Planning Department, is excited to announce the launch of the Mariposa Creek Parkway Artist-in-Residency (AiR) Program. This groundbreaking pilot initiative invites artists to engage with the unique cultural, ecological, and wildfire resilience challenges of the Mariposa Creek Parkway, a vital community space along the western edge of Mariposa.
The residency program is designed to embed artists deeply within the landscape and local communities, offering three residency tracks: Visiting Artists from across California, Local Artists from Mariposa County, and a year-round Traditional Arts Residency led by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation. Selected artists will receive stipends, housing (for visiting artists), workspace, and access to local experts, while creating art that highlights the intertwined themes of Indigenous cultural heritage, ecological restoration, and climate resilience.
The residency will feature public engagement opportunities including exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, and performances. Artists will interpret and amplify stories of land stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and climate adaptation, contributing to a vibrant cultural legacy along the Parkway.
Call for Artists
The Mariposa County Arts Council, in partnership with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, and Mariposa County Planning Department, invites artists to apply for the inaugural Mariposa Creek Parkway Artist-in-Residency Program — a unique opportunity to create site-specific work that celebrates Indigenous culture, ecological restoration, and community resilience.
About the Residency
This pilot program offers three residency tracks:
Visiting Artist Residency
Open to California-based artists interested in place-based, socially engaged, and ecological art practices. Includes stipend, studio space, housing, and community connections.
Local Artist Residency
Open to Mariposa County-based artists interested in place-based, socially engaged, and ecological art practices. Includes stipend, studio space, and community connections.
Traditional Arts Residency
Co-developed by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, supporting Indigenous cultural practices, land stewardship, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Residency Details:
Duration: 2–3 weeks (Visiting Artists), 2 weeks (Local Artists), Year-round (Traditional Arts)
Dates:
Visiting Artist Residency #1: March 21–April 10, 2026
Visiting Artist Residency #2: April 12–May 2, 2026
Local Artist Residency #1: May 3–16, 2026
Local Artist Residency #2: May 17–30, 2026
Support: All inclusive compensation (Stipend plus materials. Travel expenses for visiting artists)
Outcomes: Public exhibitions, workshops, talks, performances, or installations connected to the Mariposa Creek Parkway
Who Should Apply?
Artists working in visual, cultural, media, performing, or literary arts who are passionate about community engagement, Indigenous sovereignty, ecological restoration, and creative wildfire resilience.
How to Apply:
The application period will be December 8, 2025 – January 11, 2026 for spring residencies. Emerging, mid-career, and distinguished artists working across visual, performing, media, literary, and traditional cultural arts are encouraged to apply.
Download our Eligibility Criteria & Selection Guidelines to review eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and submission deadlines.
Join us in shaping a vibrant creative legacy that uplifts culture, heals the land, and connects community through art!
If you have questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions and if you need further assistance, contact Cara Goger – goger@mariposaartscouncil.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Artists
General Program Information
What is the Mariposa Creek Parkway Artist-in-Residency Program?
The AiR Program is a place-based residency inviting artists to live, work, and create within the landscape of the Mariposa Creek Parkway; a site of ecological restoration, Indigenous cultural revitalization, and rural climate resilience. The program supports artists across disciplines while offering the public new ways to connect with the land and community.
What makes this residency unique?
This program is rooted in the intersection of art, land stewardship, and cultural practice. It centers artists as contributors to environmental care, cultural sovereignty, and civic imagination. It also includes a year-round Cultural Residency governed by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, honoring Indigenous leadership and autonomy.
Who administers the program?
The program is led by the Mariposa County Arts Council in partnership with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, the Mariposa County Planning Department, and the Sierra Foothill Conservancy.
Eligibility and Applications
Who can apply?
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older. There are two open residency pathways:
Visiting Artist Residency: Open to California-based artists living outside Mariposa County.
Local Artist Residency: Open to artists who reside in Mariposa County or nearby foothill communities.
Are there any restrictions on artistic discipline or career stage?
No. Artists of all disciplines and career stages are welcome to apply. We are particularly interested in those with place-based, community-centered, ecological, or socially engaged practices.
Is there a separate application for the Cultural Residency?
No. The Cultural Residency is designed and managed by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation. Participation is determined through community nomination and Tribal leadership, not through the public application process.
What are the criteria used to evaluate applications?
Applications are reviewed for:
– Artistic merit
– Relevance to the site and program goals
– Experience with place-based or community work
– Interest in public engagement
– Capacity for collaboration and cultural responsiveness
Residency Logistics
When do residencies take place?
Visiting Artist Residency #1: March 21–April 10, 2026
Visiting Artist Residency #2: April 12–May 2, 2026
Local Artist Residency #1: May 3–16, 2026
Local Artist Residency #2: May 17–30, 2026
How long is the residency?
Visiting Artist Residencies: 2-3 weeks, depending on what works best for the artist.
Local Artist Residencies: 2 weeks
Cultural Residencies follow a year-round model determined by Tribal participants.
What support is provided to artists?
Artists receive a generous support package that may include:
– Private housing (for visiting artists)
– Stipends and materials budget
– One daily meal and transportation support
– Workspace (indoor/outdoor)
– Orientation and logistical support
– Connections to restoration and cultural practitioners
– Documentation and outreach support.
Artists will receive $1,000 per week ($2,000 total for local artists and up to $3,000 for visiting artists), plus $500 for materials and supplies, and up to $500 in travel support for visiting artists.
Is housing ADA accessible?
Yes. We are committed to ADA-compliant planning and accommodations. Please let us know about specific access needs during the application process.
Public Engagement and Community Work
What kind of public engagement is expected?
Artists are invited to create an accessible, community-facing program aligned with their practice, such as an artist talks, pop-up exhibits, walks, workshops, performances, or storytelling events.
Do I need to create a finished artwork during the residency?
Not necessarily. While public engagement is required, we value process as much as product. Artists can focus on research, experimentation, or works-in-progress as long as their engagement offers the community a meaningful point of connection.
Can artists collaborate with local residents or organizations during the residency?
Yes! We encourage cross-sector collaboration and will help connect you to local partners, land managers, and community leaders where appropriate.
Cultural Responsibility
How is Indigenous knowledge shared or protected in this program?
Cultural knowledge held by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation is sovereign. Artists will not be granted access to sacred or sensitive knowledge unless explicitly invited by Tribal leaders. We ask all applicants to approach this residency with humility, respect, and a willingness to listen.
How does the program ensure respectful engagement with the land and community?
All artists will receive a detailed orientation that includes ecological, cultural, and historical context. The program emphasizes reciprocal relationships, consent-based participation, and clear boundaries around cultural and environmental care.
Other Questions
Can I bring my family or pets?
If you like, your partner can join you for the residency and share your accommodation. However, due to limited housing and program capacity, the residency cannot currently accommodate multiple family members or pets. This may evolve in the future.
What if I have more questions or need help applying?
Reach out to Cara Goger at the Mariposa County Arts Council at goger@mariposaartscouncil.org. We’re happy to support you throughout the application process and discuss accommodations or clarifications as needed.
Funders and Sponsors
Program Partner – Arts in California Parks
This program is made possible with funding from California Parks, who are on a mission to bring people, communities, and nature closer together across our beautiful state. Together, we’re painting a brighter, more connected California!
Program Sponsor – Historic Tourist Homes
Historic Tourist Homes provide discounted accommodation for the Artist in Residence program. Tourist Homes is a charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of downtown Mariposa, California. Offering the perfect retreat for your mountain getaway, our hotel blends modern comfort with vintage charm. Originally built in the 1930s, this historic gem has been lovingly restored to recapture its former glory while providing a cozy and stylish escape for today’s travelers.
