Our very first artist residency at The Joshua Tree House was back in 2016 in Joshua Tree, CA. It started simply with a love for quiet days of unhurried observation spent in the desert spent creating. Almost 10 years later, this year will be the first that our entire inn in Tucson will be taken over by artists of all kinds for the week of August 11th-18th, 2025 for this year’s JTH Artist Residency. We couldn’t be more excited to share that applications are now open for the residency, with submissions due by May 12th.
Our Summer Artist Residency Program
In the spirit of slowing down and connecting deeply with the natural world, we’ve created a special space for artists to reflect, reset, and create in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Our week-long residency program offers creators the unique opportunity to develop their artistic practice while being fully immersed in the desert landscape that has inspired us since day one.
A Week of Creative Inspiration
Selected artists will find themselves in a thoughtfully designed environment that celebrates both nature and design—a space where ordinary moments are celebrated. Your stay includes:
– Private accommodation at JTH Tucson, where every window frames the desert like a living artwork
– A dedicated workspace flooded with natural light (each room or suite will be adapted to meet selected artists needs)
– Full access to our grounds, where saguaros stand as ancient sentinels
– A rejuvenating session in our bath house, complete with cold plunge and sauna
– A welcome dinner under the stars with fellow resident artists
The Desert as Muse
We’re seeking artists whose work challenges our collective detachment from the natural world. This residency is an invitation to slow down, to observe the subtle changes in light across the desert floor, to appreciate the misunderstood creatures, and to translate these experiences into your creative practice.
The unhurried pace of desert life becomes part of the creative process, allowing for deeper observation and more meaningful connections with both the landscape and fellow artists.
Community & Connection
While the desert offers solitude perfect for focused creation, the residency also provides opportunities to connect with fellow artists. Share insights over morning coffee, exchange ideas during sunset walks, or collaborate on projects inspired by the surrounding landscape.
We are also excited to share some of our favorite experiences during monsoon season with you—harvesting prickly pear fruit to make fresh juice, watching the afternoon rains and rainbows roll in, and evening walks under the light of the moon.
We believe that by creating space for artists to engage meaningfully with the natural world, we can inspire work that helps others reconnect with nature in their own ways.
Join Us
We look forward to welcoming artists who share our vision of celebrating both design and nature, who find inspiration in quiet moments, and who are ready to let the desert’s rhythm guide their creative journey.
Applications for the Summer Artist Residency program are now open. We can’t wait to see how you’ll interpret the magic of the desert.
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