Art and Natural Resources Residency

The Call for Artists is now OPEN for the 2024 residency opportunity! Apply before February 6, 2024.

Project Overview

The Art and Natural Resources Residency (ANRR) is a short-term residency program to engage a local artist and allow them to embed with the JCPRD Natural Resource team to learn, respond artistically, and amplify this important work. The 2024 Art and Natural Resources Residency (ANRR) will focus on the role of water in Johnson County and the importance of clean water and quality watersheds as part of our regional ecosystem’s resilience. The art will respond to this theme and be placed somewhere along the Mill Creek Steamway within JCPRD.

Artist Eligibility:

This public art opportunity is open to professional artists residing in the Kansas City region within one of the following nine counties: Cass, Clay, Douglas, Jackson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Platte, Wyandotte. We also invite artists who work in other professional disciplines to consider applying, such as architects, environmentalists, ecologists, etc.

Learn More Before You Apply!

Join us for a virtual open house / information session via Zoom on Thursday, December 7 from 11 - 11:30 AM.

JCPRD will host an optional virtual open house / informational session for all prospective applicants to provide an overview of the park, the goals for the project, a review of the application process, and field any questions. Although the session will not be recorded, questions and answers will be compiled and shared on this page.

Submittal of Qualifications

Interested artists should submit their qualifications via the requirements outlined below by Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM via the JCPRD website.

A letter of interest that indicates your interest in the project and how you might approach the residency (no more than 2 pages)
A CV/resume with current contact information and past/current experience (no more than 3 pages)
Names and contact information for 3 professional references
Up to 10 sample images of previous artwork or projects
A corresponding image list with artwork title, medium, dimensions, brief description, location, date of work, commissioning entity and budget/price

The ANRR Art Selection Committee includes:

Cloey Adrian, City of Overland Park
Kim Bellemere, Friends of the Kaw
Kelly Fry, WaterOne
Lesley Rigney, Johnson County Stormwater Management Program
Ryan Bell, JCPRD Fine Arts Coordinator
Chuck Dvorak, JCPRD Central Region Assistant Park Manager
Matt Garrett, JCPRD Natural Resource Manager
Susan Mong, JCPRD Superintendent of Culture
Shelly Trewolla, JCPRD Public Art Committee
Jen Newell, non-voting, administrative support

"Restoring Refuge" by Cydney Ross and Alix Daniel

Visit this installation at Kill Creek Park!

Cydney Ross and Alix Daniel are the artists in residence for the Art and Natural Resource Residency with Johnson County Park & Recreation District. The residency includes an immersive experience with the JCPRD Natural Resources Team at Kill Creek Park, the creation of an ephemeral public art piece, and an artist-led community engagement project on May 6th, 2023.

Snaking its way across the prairie, "Restoring Refuge" speaks to celebrating and protecting our prairies. As artists and naturalists, we consider what it means to be displaced from home. We also want you to think about what refuge means for wildlife and people alike. Inspiration comes from ongoing visits to Kill Creek Park with natural resource staff and guest conservationists. Hibernaculum, which house overwintering wildlife, and stacked stone structures are only a couple references in this installation.

Alternating cedar poles and dry plant material, the elongated structure stretches across the prairie. Native seeds, clay, and soil are used for small sculptures and details. Windows allow visitors to view prairie-inspired sculptures made during the community engagement workshop.

This sculpture will experience all types of weather, prescribed burns, and break down. Over time, the sown seed installation will contribute to prairie restoration efforts. Our hope is that we all consider our impact on natural areas and how we can better steward the land. A companion exhibit will be on display at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center in May 2023.

Where to See It:

Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, KS 66061

A map, as well as virtual walk to the artwork location, can be found below. This sculpture will never be "deinstalled" -- it will experience all types of weather, prescribed burns, and break down into the land. Over time, the sown seed installation will contribute to prairie restoration efforts.