At the southernmost tip of Florida lies the Everglades National Park, the only subtropical wilderness in North America. The residency program offered here (AIRIE), for visual artists, composers and writers is more rugged than most and requires residents to be almost entirely self-sufficient.

It is hoped that the artists will give a unique voice to the Everglades for present and future generations and that the public will come to know the area through the eyes of the artists. Residents are expected to have an environmental awareness and a sense of connection to AIRIE’s mission. They should also be committed to sharing their experiences in a practical way with visitors and staff.

Accepted applicants are provided with a combination living and work space in the Royal Palm area, which is near Park Headquarters, the Visitor Center, and the Anhinga Trail. The Anhinga Trail is one of the most popular in the park because of it's abundance of wildlife, and is a favorite hiking trail for residents. This location allows for easy access to the city of Homestead as well as the 1.5 million acres that comprise the Everglades.

Residents must bring personal supplies, food and equipment needed for their artistic endeavor. Stipends for transportation are not generally provided. However, micro grants are available on a case by case basis, which can be used to fund to fund expenses and travel.

Residents volunteer for a few hours during the course of their residency interacting with a variety of visitors and staff. This may involve informal interactions or more formal presentations such as lectures, demonstrations or short workshops. The resident can also create their own unique type of project to engage visitors and staff members. Examples might include photography or sketching walks or walks that pass features or landmarks which served as the inspiration for writing scenes.

Following the completion of the residency, each resident is expected to contribute one work to the park, which reflects their efforts during their stay in the Everglades. Residencies last for up to a month and are granted to individuals who want to contribute to the public comprehension and appreciation of the park and the Everglades.

Twelve artists are accepted each year. Dates of the residency are a joint decision between the resident and the residency director. AIRIE always seeks to identify special events or opportunities for their residents and resident dates take this into consideration. Applications are due June 15th.