Apply now to serve as an artist-in-residence with NASA’s and the University of Maryland’s Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System (GEODES) team. This position is open to any artist (can be, but not limited to a visual artist, writer, poet, composer, or dancer/choreographer.)
The selected candidate will travel with the GEODES project to the San Francisco Volcanic Field outside of Flagstaff, Arizona from August 1–10, 2023. The artist will be immersed with the GEODES team and its fieldwork, taking part in scientific group activities and even aiding in data collection. Prior to the trip, the selected candidate must attend travel and safety briefings and abide by the GEODES Code of Conduct. During the trip, if appropriate, the artist will give a talk or presentation of their artwork. Following the trip, the artist will create a work of art inspired by geoscience data, field work, and the landscape, due by July 1, 2024.
About GEODES
GEODES (Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System) is a team within the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. The team investigates the Moon, near-Earth asteroids, and the moons of Mars with geophysics methods to enable the exploration of their surfaces. They test geophysics methods, including seismic and ground penetrating radar surveying, on Earth to study and refine how these methods can best be used on the lunar surface. In addition, based on field research and remote sensing data, the team develops numerical and statistical models to characterize the surfaces of our defined planetary targets.
Qualifications
- Any artist over the age of eighteen may apply, including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and members of the public.
- An interest in natural sciences, geology, engineering, or space sciences.
- Comfort in an outdoor environment. Training and accommodations will be provided.
- There will be hotel lodging and driving to and from locations, but much of the work takes place outside.
Compensation
- The selected candidate will receive a $3,000 honorarium and retain ownership over the produced work, with licensing available to GEODES.
- Travel fees, housing, and a per diem during the artist-in-residency field experience will be provided.
Application Requirements
- 3 work samples (any format)
- 3 references (contact information only)
- A one-page proposal that addresses the following questions:
- What interests you about this opportunity?
- What type of artwork would you create, with the understanding that this will of course be influenced by your experience
- How would this project align or build on your previous work?
- Resume
To Apply
Please send your application to arts@umd.edu. Applications are due May 1, 2023 by 5PM.
Details on a Field Expedition
A field expedition can be like a summer camp. Field days will be long (often sunrise to sunset) and primarily outdoors, with some mild hiking and physical exertion to some locations.
During the field expedition, the selected artist will stay in a hotel or lodge with other members of the GEODES team, and room sharing is possible. Most meals and transportation will be with the entire group, with a possible mix of cooked meals and dining out. We can accommodate almost all dietary needs. For safety reasons, a ‘buddy system’ is required while at the field site.
Flagstaff in August will be temperate, with highs in the 60s – 80s. The setting is moderate to high-altitude, so please take precautions, and be aware of sensitivity to lower pressure conditions. The team will provide instruction on appropriate clothing and field gear.
Everyone’s safety and comfort are the utmost importance to the GEODES team and accommodations will be made for disabilities and individual needs. All members of the field expedition are required to sign and abide by our Code of Conduct.
If you have items that you would like to bring to the field (art supplies, instruments, etc.) the GEODES team can provide shipping and/or reasonable rental fees.
For more information about GEODES, visit geodes.umd.edu
To see an example of a week with the GEODES team in the field, check out this Twitter moment: https://twitter.com/i/events/1545468169233612806?s=20