Unseen California, a research initiative at UC Santa Cruz, supports artists through an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program that fosters creative engagement with California’s evolving landscapes. In collaboration with the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) and UCSC’s Norris Center for Natural History, the program provides artists with unique field sites, public programming, and opportunities to explore pressing environmental issues. Our Mission Unseen California empowers emerging and mid-career artists, highlighting their vital role in deepening ecological understanding and addressing climate challenges. By activating UCNRS lands as artistic spaces, the program encourages creative research on topics such as climate change, Indigenous relearning, land stewardship, and biodiversity.

Approved