Art+Science

At NCEAS, we believe Art and Science play key roles in nurturing the innovative thinking we need to deal with the complex changes we are currently experiencing across the globe.

While they each communicate the complexity of our world differently - science with data and facts, art with the imagination and feelings - both entail a process of asking new questions and exposing possible answers.

Our Art+Science initiative is structured around three different programs: an artist-in-residence program, gallery space and events for local artists, and embedding artists into working group research.

Artist in Residence program

Our artist-in-residence program is a unique opportunity for artists and environmental scientists to come together to work in dialogue and inspire each other. Our goal is to unleash new levels of creativity and innovation in the ways we think about, communicate, and solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

This opportunity is open to artists of all sorts, such as painters, poets, musicians, photographers, illustrators, printmakers, playwrights, digital artists, and more. Artist residents will be able to work at our headquarters and interact with our resident and visiting researchers.

Benefits of the residency

• Up to three months of accommodation provided by 'PrismaVera', a charming artists retreat located in Santa Barbara.
• Office space at NCEAS, located in downtown Santa Barbara.
• Funding for travel and supplies.
• Interactions with a diversity of scientists spanning a range of environmental topics.
• Opportunities to give on-campus lectures at NCEAS & UC Santa Barbara’s main campus.
• A Downtown Santa Barbara 'First Thursday' exhibition on September 4, 2025.

How to apply

Read our 2025 Call for Proposals and apply by sending the following to air@nceas.ucsb.edu before 5pm PDT, January 13, 2025:

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the residency and what you would hope to gain from it;
2. Digital images, or links to digital files, of three pieces you are most proud of. Feel free to send additional links to your broader body of work if you’d like, but you must identify separately the three pieces you want to highlight.
3. Anticipated timing for residency and needs for economy travel, materials (up to $1,000) and/or stipend (up to $1,000) – please keep in mind that cost will be one of the evaluation criteria.

We are exploring ways to support projects to embed artists within a working group setting to allow for more focused and sustained dialogue, and resources to study and evaluate that process and its outcomes

We periodically host environmental science-themed exhibitions by local artists at our office in downtown Santa Barbara.

Murals by 2023 artist Leila Youssefi