The Bureau of Land Management is encouraging interested artists to grab a camera, sketch pad, paints or any other artistic tool and prepare to capture the beautiful landscapes found at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument during the artists-in-residence program.

Proposals for the 2014 residency must be submitted by Friday, May 16, 2014. Two talented people will spend at least one week developing artwork inspired by and representative of the monument.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is filled with both scenic beauty and unique human stories that will inspire any artist. There are as many as 30,000 archaeological sites within the monument including 13 Ancestral Puebloan sites currently identified and located for visitors. Winning proposals should promote an appreciation of the landscape, raise awareness of its unique value and inspire conduct that helps preserve its fragile resources.

At the conclusion of the residency, each artist will present a program to provide opportunities for the public to learn about their artwork and the value of public lands. The artists will also donate at least one digital image of their completed artwork to the BLM. The copyright will remain with the artists with permission granted to the BLM for promotional and educational reproduction.

Resident-artists must provide their own lodging or shelter. Applicants with vehicles such as campers or RVs are welcome. There are no developed campgrounds, water, or electricity available within Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, although dispersed camping is allowed in most locations. The staff can assist artists with finding a suitable location for a base camp.

The program provides quality, uninterrupted time for artists to pursue their work. Informal interaction with Monument visitors and the artist's public presentation at the end of the residency provide opportunities for learning and dialogue about the value of public lands resources.

Further information, guidelines and applications are available at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm/artist_in_residence.html. For more information, contact the Artist-in-Residence Coordinator at 970-882-5600.