Call for Applications
Yearlong Photographic Residency at Cherokee Ranch & Castle
The Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, in partnership with the Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC), invites photographers to apply for a yearlong residency at this remarkable estate. Set amidst 3,400 acres of conservation land, historic architecture, and sweeping Colorado landscapes, this residency offers artists the opportunity to create new work rooted in land, legacy, and visual storytelling.
Submit by December 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time
Residency Theme:
“Land, Legacy, and Lens: Visual Narratives of Place”
We welcome thoughtful proposals that explore the architecture, natural environment, cultural heritage, or preservation legacy of the ranch – engaging with themes like conservation, memory, landscape, and sense of place.
Eligibility:
- Open to photographers at any career stage.
- Applicants from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Must be 21 or older and able to engage with the full residency term.
Residency Includes:
- Access to Cherokee Ranch & Castle grounds throughout 2026
- Exhibition printing support provided by CPAC: photographers will have access to CPAC’s printers and paper to produce work for the final exhibition, however the resident is responsible for printing their own images.
- A $1,000 artist stipend provided by Cherokee Ranch
- Support from CPAC and Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, including staff coordination, access assistance, and guidance throughout the residency
- A concluding solo exhibition and artist talk at Cherokee Ranch & Castle in March 2027 during the Month of Photography Denver
- Three check-ins with CPAC Executive Director & Curator Samantha Johnston to support the artist’s needs—this may include mentoring, project feedback, or review of works in progress
- Optional opportunities for public engagement or education programs
- Orientation by Cherokee Ranch and CPAC
- Note: Housing is not provided. Applicants should be able to visit the ranch regularly.
Application Requirements:
- Project Proposal (max 500 words): Explain how your work will engage with the site.
- Artist Statement (max 300 words)
- Resume/CV (up to 2 pages)
- Work Samples: 10–15 images (.jpg, max 2 MB each)
- Image List: Title, date, medium, dimensions
Timeline:
- Call Opens: November 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time
- Resident Announced: January 15, 2026
- Residency Begins: February 2026
Selection Process:
A panel of arts professionals, photographers, and Cherokee Ranch representatives will evaluate submissions based on artistic merit, relevance to the theme, feasibility, and originality.
Questions?
Contact: edu@cpacphoto.org
Accessibility & Equity Statement:
CPAC and Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation are committed to equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
