Note: The Following Text duplicates the words in the images above, for clarity and audibility and readability. 

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

For February 2026

(Image Description: Fiery Red Glow of Kīlauea Volcano)

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! This park has drawn artists fascinated by its fire glows and lava flows since its inception in 1912. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few National Parks outside of Alaska and Yellowstone that are in active volcanic areas. Open to all artists, writers, musicians, or performance artists.

Now with $4000 stipend!!

LOCATION:  

HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

BIG ISLAND, HAWAI'I, USA

DATES:  February 2nd-26th, 2026

DEADLINE:  April 30th, 2025

NOTIFICATION:  November 14th, 2025

RESIDENCY TYPE:  ALL MEDIA

ARTISTS STIPEND: $4000

SINGLE ARTIST / COUPLES: YES 

GROUPS / FAMILY / HOUSEHOLD: YES                      

ARTIST EVENTS / WORKSHOPS: YES

NATIONAL MUSEUM / ARCHIVES DONATION: 

YES, FOR CONSIDERATION

(Image Description: National Parks Arts Foundation Logo)

To apply: $60 (single artist) $120 (couple or duo) $160 group (3 or more)

(Image Description: Highway shooting into the sea on the Big Island)

VOLCANO COUNTRY ON THE BIG ISLAND in HAWAIʻI

NPAF is again offering Hawaii Volcanoes National Park residencies, and close to some of the best beaches on the island. This one for a one-month term in February of 2026. The residency includes a $4000 stipend, a studio, housing, events, publicity, and much more…the chance of a lifetime for Artists!

ALL ARTISTIC MEDIA RESIDENCY

The Park boundaries include two legendary and sacred volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and mysterious and ever-changing active lava flows, as well as legendary lava tubes, active lava vents, and extensive greenscapes and rainforests. This is a unique dramatic environment for all artistic media to flourish and to inspire new breakthroughs in process and result. For artists, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, glimpses of rare flora and fauna, and a view into the sacred Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes. 

(Image Description: Living Room with Spiral Stair to Upstairs)

INCLUDES $4000 Stipend

Artists will stay at a spacious house just outside the park boundaries. Close to the beaches, 30 minutes by car to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Headquarters. Minutes to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit and less than 30 Miles to the Visitor Center. In an amazing two story 3 Bedroom, 3 bath home, with Kurzweil Baby Grand Piano, recording booth, meditation area and art studio conversion with panoramic views of the ocean. Watch pods of whales migrate as you create your art. 

The Artists will participate in a public event or presentation at the park and also a possible Art donation through NPAF to the NPS Collection at Hawaii Volcanoes. 

(Image Description: Unique Green Sand Beach with Lava Rocks)

This residency opportunity is open to Single Artists, Families, Artist Couples, artist collectives, or arts troupes.

For ease or coordination and communication with NPAF and the Park Service, Residents must schedule their arrival between 10-3 on Federal Work Days, and must have their own transportation for the month of the residency. A vehicle is strongly recommended. 

Potential Hazards at the Park include sudden Volcanic conditions which may be hazardous and change at any time. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, and avoid earth cracks and cliff edges. Do not enter closed areas. Hazardous volcanic gases, such as sulphur dioxide may be present out of the crater or vents and present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women. People sensitive to poor air quality should check air quality conditions. The summit of Kīlauea can be chilly at any time. Bring a rain jacket, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE. NPAF may also be partnering with the National Park Service, NPS Friends groups, the Volcano Art Center, recognized museums, galleries, schools and underserved peoples organizations to support and expand the reach of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence Program.

(Image Description: Steaming Caldera with Volcanic Cone in the Foreground)

THE FINE PRINT:

The artist(s) residency may be canceled or interrupted due to a government shutdown, artist nonparticipation, or during any hazardous weather conditions, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, fire danger, environmental concerns, or any unforeseen circumstances, natural or otherwise, to which NPAF and any affiliates will NOT be held accountable or responsible, no refunds will be issued. NPAF cannot guarantee or be held responsible for AIR interruptions, nonacceptance of AIR program, artists, artwork or cancellations, or delays because of Government decisions or natural causes. NPAF will try to make all efforts to reschedule a delayed residency, but cancellations do occur. The remainder of the residency term may be negotiated to be made up at a later date. 

(Image description: Ohelo Berries in foreground in a volcanic panorama)

PLEASE NOTE: Only selected artists will be contacted. It is the artists' own initiative to check the status of their proposal submission through accessing their proposal submission through the URL for which they applied. At request, through the URL, we will allow edits and additions up to ten days before the deadline. If you are contacted as a Resident, Finalist or Alternate & if our panelists feel that further detail is needed for the application — applicants will be asked to submit the required materials (such as a detailed proposal, etc) IN A PROMPT MANNER.

(Image description: Woman standing in giant broken lava field)

THE FINE PRINT, CONTINUED: 

NPAF is NOT responsible for and will not return any application fees, contributions, monies spent, monies owed or any funding if there is a natural occurrence, or any thing that interrupts, changes, delays or cancels the program in any way. NPAF cannot guarantee or be held responsible for AIR interruptions, nonacceptance of AIR program, artist non participation, artist non-response, artists, artwork or cancellations or delays because of Government decisions or natural causes, unforeseen circumstances, for any reason at all. The accepted artist will owe any funds spent or owed by/to NPAF as it pertains to the program if they (the artist(s)) cancels, delays or changes any part of the program. If the AiR program is terminated or interrupted, the artist(s) in residence may be directed to relocate from the park or hazardous area. The remainder residency term may be made up at a later date at the discretion of the NPAF.

All insurance is required of the selected artist(s) including automobile, health, accidental and insurance to cover all art, supplies, personal items and is the sole responsibility of the artist as any and all insurance will not be provided by NPAF or park Friends groups. Proof of insurances must be provided. Artist(s) will be responsible for all costs affiliated with the program if they are the selected artists(s) to the program, and then cancel, change or delay the program in any way, prior, during or post the residency term. Applicants grant use to NPAF of any and all pieces of their submitted application proposal materials to further the purpose of the program (and/or promoting the selected artist(s)) through television, radio, interviews, magazines, books, internet, newspapers, grants or endowment applications, presentations and any and all media.

Any terms herein may change without notice and are subject to the approval of the NPAF, or any governing entity. All AiR participants may be required to accept further conditions and contracts including but not limited to; Background checks, codes of conduct, Gift and/or donation agreements, images releases for their person and/or artwork, codes of conduct, special use permits, rules and regulations, housing agreements, volunteer in the parks contracts, J-1 visa application or other Visa application and acceptance (for international artists) and any other apparent and unforeseen agreements required of any governing entity, namely the NPAF, and all pertaining laws. All funding and acceptance to programs are subject to U.S and international laws. Any terms herein may change without notice and are subject to the approval of the NPAF or any lawful governing entity. Carefully read the full policies of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Residency found at: 

https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/hawaii-volcanoes-policies