Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program

Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program 2012
“The Artists’ Journey”

Deadline: Feburary 3, 2012

Together, the Yukon Arts Centre, Parks Canada and the US National Park Service are seeking submissions for 2 visual artists – one from Canada and one from the United States to participate in an international creative journey within the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, Alaska and the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, British Columbia.

In 2012 the artists will hike the entire Chilkoot Trail during a 2 week backpacking trip, spending several days at multiple locations. Each artist will be required to provide and carry all of their backpacking gear, food and art supplies for the journey. In order to facilitate the trip each artist may be accompanied by up to a maximum of 2 support people (friends or family) to help share the load and enhance your safety while traveling, camping and working in bear country.

This residency is open to Canadian and American visual artists.

Download the Call for Submissions here in English or en français

Deadline: Febuary 3, 2012.
All submissions must be postmarked by this date.

Background: Creating Connections through Art

Artist in residence programs have an enduring history with Canada’s national parks and national historic sites. Their roots go back to the 1880’s when Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) saw art as an inspirational means to promote mountain tourism and western settlement. CPR provided travel, lodging and other benefits to artists who came to the Rockies to paint and photograph mountain landscapes. Artists such as John Fraser, Frederick M Bell Smith, and Thomas Martin Mower primarily used water colour to paint picturesque, romantic views that reflected the scale and grandeur of Canadian landscapes. Banff and other mountain parks continued to draw artists and photographers throughout the 20th century. With the inception of the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1935 Banff National Park became a magnet for artists from across Canada.

The Group of Seven were artists, who were committed to exploring the unique character of the Canadian landscape. They developed a unique painting style that broke with English tradition. Two of the Group Of Seven , Jackson and Harris, taught at the Banff School of fine Arts and two other members painted in the mountain parks. Contemporary artists continue to paint in many of our national parks and historic sites. Their paintings are modern interpretations that capture the mystery and beauty of our protected areas.

Currently Artist in Residence Programs exists in Ivvavik, Gros Morne, Riding Mountain, and Gwaii Haanas National Parks as well as the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. These programs have been developed to help connect people and Parks Canada’s national parks and historic sites through art. Artists go beyond just making art; they also act as translators, inviting people to share their experiences at these special places through paintings, sculptures, photography or other mediums.

Artists have had a major impact on the creation and development of America's national parks since the beginning of the national park movement. Dramatic nineteenth century paintings of the western landscape raised public consciousness about the natural wonders of the West and helped stimulate interest in their preservation. Public response to Thomas Moran's splendid landscape paintings from the Hayden U.S. Geological Survey of the Yellowstone region in 1871 led directly to the creation of America's first national park.

The residency program holds a joint goal for the US National Park Service and Parks Canada, to build an increased awareness of the Chilkoot Trail, both nationally and internationally. By creating work from their experiences on the Trail, artists can inspire Canadians and Americans to the legacy of the Trail. Local residents, visitors, staff and audiences beyond the site boundaries will have the opportunity to experience the Chilkoot Trail through the eyes of a contemporary artist.

For the Yukon Arts Centre, the residencies are a way of fostering the Yukon’s creative and cultural economy by developing programmatic ties with tourism, extending its programs to remote areas of our territory; bringing new and broader audiences into contact with contemporary artists; providing a stimulating working experience for artists; and encouraging art making that explores and even challenges ideas and issues in landscape art.

The 2011 Artist in Residency program was situated at Lindeman Lake, British Columbia on the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. The 2012 international residency will entail a journey starting from Dyea in Alaska and ending at Bennett Lake in British Columbia.

Program information:

The program provides an opportunity for established and aspiring visual artists to pursue their own work amidst the cultural and natural environment of the Chilkoot Trail.
Artists will be expected to participate in 2 campground programs during their residency (ie exploring your art experience on the Chilkoot Trail), one program on the US and one on the Canadian section of the trail. In addition the artists will provide a short evening presentation in Skagway prior to commencing the hike, and another at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site in Whitehorse shortly after completion of the hike
The artist may be asked to give media interviews, or to be photographed.
Artists will sign a photo release form allowing images taken of them during the residency to be used in Parks Canada promotional materials.
The artists will sign volunteer agreements with Parks Canada and the United States National Park Service.
The artists will be responsible for obtaining the required international work permits and/or visas.
Artists are highly recommended to purchase extended health insurance.
Each artist is expected to provide Parks Canada/Yukon Arts Centre/US National Park Service with: a “Sketch book concept”, (perhaps: Several pages of a journalistic record of your trip – this could be in the form of or a combination of sketches, photos, writing. It is a working record – providing an understanding of the creative process of an artist. This would be accompanied by a brief description (format to be chosen by artist) and will be placed on the Yukon Art Centre, Parks Canada and USNPS websites. This may also be used for information, display and publicity purposes, internal documents, program records and as a reference tool for future exhibitions. This is to be received within 6 months of the residency.
Each artist is expected to provide Parks Canada/Yukon Arts Centre/US National Parks Service with a high resolution digital image of a finished piece of work that was initiated during the residency, which will be used for information, display and publicity purposes, internal documents, program records and as a reference tool for future exhibitions. This digital image is to be received within one year of the residency.
Each artist is also expected to provide Parks Canada/Yukon Arts Centre/US National Park Service with digital images and/or a list of finished works produced as a result of the residency.
Artists will be responsible for providing their own food, hiking/camping equipment and working materials.
Work must be carried out in a manner that respects the national historic site regulations.
Residencies will be 2 weeks in duration.

Artist Support:

Yukon Arts Centre Support

$1000 honorarium per artist
Management of application and selection process.
Future exhibition/publication opportunities pending funding.

Parks Canada’s Support

Hiking permits for the CTNHs (support people included)
Contact with Parks Canada staff prior to and during the residency
Train fare from Bennett to Carcross or Fraser for the artists
Chilkoot Trail Orientation – at the Trail Centre in Skagway
A bear spray for use on the trail for each artist.
Use of 1 Parks Canada radio for the group and radio communication training
Advertising for public programs and logistical support for presentations if required
Special camping permits for specified camping sites
Placement of food in caches along the trail
One night accommodation for the artist in Whitehorse upon completion of the residency ( prior to their presentation at the SSKlondike)

US National Park Service Support

One night accommodation in Skagway prior to the start of the trip.
Chilkoot Trail Orientation – at the Trail Centre in Skagway
Contact with US National Park Service staff prior to and during the residency
Advertising for public programs and logistical support for presentations if required.
Special camping permits for specified camping sites if required

Skagway Arts Council Support

$300.00 for each artist
Management of application and selection process.
Future exhibition/publication opportunities pending funding.

Application Information:

Please download the full Call for Submissions as it includes the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site Hiker Preparation Guide. Please consider its information to help you decide whether this style of artist in residence program is the right one for you.

Applications should include

Artist resume
Biography for promotional purposes
10 – 15 digital images (or other visual support material)
Image list with complete description of works
Statement of interest and a description of work to be carried out during the residency. The applicant should also describe why he/she wishes to do the residency, and what particular perspective he/she will bring to the program.
Brief description of your experience interacting with the public. This could include but is not limited to teaching, presenting artist talks or demonstrations, hosting open studios, or participating in arts and craft fairs.
A ranking of your preferred time to hike the trail (1-2) As well, please identify times that you are not available.
- June 26 – July 10, 2012
- July 12 – July 16, 2012
  - There may be flexibility in the dates (i.e. a few days at either end). You may or may not be offered your first choice.
A summary of your outdoor experiences in particular: trail hikes, camping, extended backpacking trips, and ability to hike over mountainous terrain (non-technical).

All applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from the Yukon Art Centre, Parks Canada, US National Park Service and the Skagway Arts Council. Selections will be made within 4 weeks after the deadline.

Deadline: Febuary 3, 2012.
All submissions must be postmarked by this date.

Canadian Applicants Mail/courier/deliver your application to:
Yukon Arts Centre
ATT: Mary Bradshaw, Gallery Director
Box 16, 300 College Dr. Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5X9
Tel (867) 667-8485 Fax (867) 393-6300 Email gallerydirector [AT] yac.ca

American Applicants Mail/Courier/deliver your application to:
Skagway Arts Council
ATT: Katherine Wassman, Point of contact
Box 517, Skagway, Alaska
Tel (907) 983-9213 Fax (907) 983-9249 Email Katherine_wassman [AT] nps.gov