land line: artist residency program

Land Line artists in residence use Denver Botanic Gardens’ collections, landscapes, and other resources to create artworks that explore nature and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Land Line has a unique low-residency format: artists create most of their work independently in their own studio spaces during the residency timeframe (which lasts a full calendar year) but are required to visit the Gardens at least once within a predetermined two-month timeframe called a Focus Period. Time spent on-site at the Gardens during the Focus Period is geared towards meeting with staff collaborators, exploring gardens and collections, conducting research, and conceptualizing work. Artists may work on their projects before and after their Focus Period but should concentrate their engagement with Gardens staff and resources during the identified Focus Period.

Artists are additionally required to attend four virtual cohort meetings during the residency year to share progress and connect with other artists, including a meeting to share their completed work at the close of the residency. At least one artwork must be completed by the end of the residency year. As part of the residency, Denver Botanic Gardens may acquire one artwork, which is proposed by the artist for consideration. Though DBG may exhibit acquired artworks in the future, the Land Line residency does not culminate in an exhibition. Land Line does not accept applications proposing onsite installations, public programming or exhibitions.

Land Line artists select a residency theme and will be paired with a staff collaborator working in that field to serve as a knowledge resource for the artist’s research and project. Artists can select one of the following thematic areas for their work and explorations:

1. Colorado Native Plants: Working with native plants in any region is important for ecosystem health, but here in Colorado native plants are uniquely adapted to our semi-arid climate and/or alpine environments.
2. Biodiversity: Whether maintaining relationships between plants and animals, ensuring food security, or resisting the effects of climate change, biological diversity is a crucial element of a healthy natural world.
3. Scientific and botanical illustration: The exacting discipline of botanical illustration portrays the beauty of nature for scientific purposes. Artists who select Scientific and Botanical Illustration will be paired with a staff member from the School of Botanical Art & Illustration.