The Mariposa County Arts Council, in partnership with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Sierra Foothill Conservancy and Mariposa County Planning Department, has announced 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.
“This residency program is built on the belief that artists are powerful contributors to community well-being, cultural vitality, and climate resilience,” said Cara Goger, Executive Director of the Mariposa County Arts Council.
“By embedding artists in the ecological restoration of the Mariposa Creek Parkway and centering the leadership of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, we’re creating space for creative expression, cultural stewardship and public engagement to thrive together. Our hope is that this pilot serves as a scalable model for how the arts can be integrated into land management and public sector work in meaningful, lasting ways.”
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.
The application period will be Dec. 8 – Jan. 11 for 2026 spring residencies.
Emerging, mid-career and distinguished artists working across visual, performing, media, literary and traditional cultural arts are encouraged to apply.
For detailed application information and guidelines, visit www.mariposaartscouncil.org
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