Carrizozo Artists-in-Residence

Carrizozo AIR application cycle is closed

Please check back in 2025 for 2026 application guidelines

Mission

The mission of the Carrizozo AIR is to provide space and time to focus on chosen projects in the arts. With a broad definition of ‘artist,’ the Carrizozo AIR is open to a wide range of artistic mediums and creative ventures. Individuals, couples, friends, collaborative teams, and families are welcome. The Residency promises solitude as well as interaction with Carrizozo’s public, community organizations, and artists.

History

In 2015 Warren & Joan Malkerson and MoMAZoZo combined their efforts to create the Carrizozo AIR. We welcomed our first artists in 2016. Since then over 89 individuals have participated in the program.

In 2005 Joan and Warren Malkerson opened Gallery 408 and Sculpture Garden on Twelfth Street. Joan, an artist herself, envisioned adding diversity and quality to a growing art community in Carrizozo. The Malkersons purchased and renovated several other buildings on Twelfth Street to actualize that vision. In 2014 The Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography opened in the old 1917 Lutz Mercantile Building. It is the largest photography gallery in New Mexico.

Artists Paula Wilson and Mike Lagg founded their arts organization called MoMAZoZo in 2010. MoMAZoZo helps promote the artistic exchange of ideas in an interactive fashion that brings excitement and aesthetic nourishment to Carrizozo. In 2016 they purchased a suite of buildings on Twelfth Street which they named the Lyric ComplexU, now MoMAZoZo’s headquarters.

In 2024, Lisa Wilson, became an Angel Donor to the program providing a thousand dollars to each artist or artist group to support their time in residence. Limina Arts Foundation facilities the distribution of these funds.

Location

Carrizozo is an old railroad town of 976 people in the High Desert Plains of New Mexico. Located in the Tularosa Basin, it is surrounded by mountains on three sides with a volcanic field to the west. The town is 45 minutes to Ruidoso and Alamogordo, and two and a half hours to the urban centers of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and El Paso.

The town boasts: a library, four restaurants, a food cart, art supply store, two gas stations, four city parks, community gardens, pickle ball courts, disc golf, dispensary, apothecary, health clinic, and a municipal airport.
Art venues and museums: Gallery 408, Heart of the Raven Clay, Tularosa Basin Photography Gallery, MoMAZoZo, and The Heritage Museum.

Day trips include: White Sands National Monument, Three Rivers Petroglyphs, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Ruidoso’s Ski Apache and Casino, The Valley of Fires, Bosque del Apache, New Mexico Museum of Space History, The Toy Train Depot, Smokey the Bear Museum, Hurd/Wyeth Gallery, historic Lincoln, White Oaks, The Trinity Site (open only on the first Saturday in April and October), Truth or Consequences (hot springs), and Roswell.

The Basics

We provide two living quarters and studio spaces accommodating two artists or groups per month. Each artist or artist group will receive one thousand dollars to support their time in Residence. The artist provide their own transportation, supplies, Internet, and food during the residency.

Carrizozo AIR is open to a variety of artistic mediums with a broad definition of ‘artist.’ Mediums include but are not limited to: painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, installation, film, sculpture, book arts, design, sound, performance, dance, literary arts, philosophy, and curatorial studies.

The Carrizozo Artists-in-Residence program encourages individuals, couples, friends, collaborative teams, or families to design their residency period together. No pets please.

Residency sessions are one month except for two weeks in December. Available months are: January, February, March, April, November, December.

Facilities

The Carrizozo AIR provides accommodation and studio facilities.

Carrizozo AIR Building: The ground floor houses two (500 square foot plus) art studios. Another studio is upstairs with a balcony contiguous to the apartment. There is a large semi-private backyard behind the building. — ***Carrizozo AIR Building:*** The ground floor houses two (500 square foot plus) art studios. There is a large semi-private backyard behind the building.

Residence Space 1, (Carrizozo AIR Building, Second Floor): Located directly on historic Twelfth Street this large apartment, with a kitchen, bath, and three bedrooms (two queen beds and one twin) comfortably sleeps three-five people. This residence … — ***Residence Space 1, (The Apartment, Second Floor):*** Located directly on historic Twelfth Street this large apartment, with a kitchen, bath, and three bedrooms (two queen beds and one twin) comfortably sleeps three-five people. This residence is furnished including appliances (hot plate, microwave, toaster oven (no stove), linens, and kitchenware. There is a balcony contiguous to the apartment.

Residence Space 2, (The Casita) : The Casita is located behind Gallery 408 on Twelfth Street. This residence is a small adobe, about three hundred and fifty square feet, with a kitchen, bath, and a bedroom. There is one double bed and one single bed… — *Residence Space 2, (The Casita)* : The Casita is located behind Gallery 408 on Twelfth Street. This residence is a small adobe, about three hundred and fifty square feet, with a kitchen, bath, and a bedroom. There is one double bed and one single bed. This residence is comfortably furnished including appliances, an oven, linens, and kitchenware. No smoking or pets please.

WIFI:

Carrizozo AIR does not provide the Internet. We suggest enabling a hot spot or other transportable WiFi and extending your cell phone’s data limit. Cell phone reception is good in town.

The Four Winds Restaurants in town have free WiFi in addition to the Carrizozo Library during open hours-- Wednesday 2-6pm, Thursday 2-6pm, Friday & Saturday 10-3.

Opportunities

The Carrizozo AIR is open to facilitating the interests of the artists which may include an exhibition, public talk, workshop, or open studio. There are no requirements for any presentations.

Malkerson Gallery 408, The Tularosa Basin Photography Gallery, the Lyric Theater, and MoMAZoZo are possible venues for hosting events.

Contact Information

Paula Wilson: paulajwilson(at)gmail.com, Joan Malkerson: joanmalk8816(at)gmail.com

Links

www.joanmalkerson.com

www.photozozo.org

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the cost of the Carrizozo AIR?

There is no cost for attending the Carrizozo AIR. The residents provide their own transportation, supplies, Internet, and food during the residency. Each artist or artist group will receive one thousand dollars to support their time in Residence. The artist provide their own transportation, supplies, Internet, and food during the residency.

Does the studio space have any easels or any other material that can be used?

The studios are have dry wall surfaces with sawhorse tables and chairs. Residents have access to a woodshop and the ability to borrow a wide range of tools as needed.

How many residents do you take at a time? Is there enough space for everyone in the studio to be able to work comfortably?

We welcome two artist groupings at a time. This can be two individuals, two couples, a family or a collaborative team.

Is there any public transportation in Carrizozo or to Carrizozo?

Being a rural community a car is preferable to take full advantage of the area. However, past residents have been accommodated through sharing rides and local resources. There is no public transport from the ABQ airport to Carrizozo. There is a shuttle from the El Paso Airport to Alamogordo, NM from which we can arrange rides. Currently, there is an Uber and Lyft service available. We can provide contact information for this driver.

I do not have a website, how can I best share my art for the application?

The selection committee depends on your website or other online sources to view images, read sample texts, and access CVs. If you cannot represent your work in this way, you may add images and other information to your pdf.

Is there a way to apply through mail?

Yes— mail your application via the USPS to: Carrizozo AIR, PO Box 1141, Carrizozo, NM, 88301.