Ucross Foundation facts for kids
| Nickname | Ucross |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1981 |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Purpose | Artist residencies in the High Plains, art gallery, land stewardship of historic 20,000-acre ranch |
| Location |
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| Website | https://www.ucrossfoundation.org |
The Ucross Foundation is a special place in Ucross, Wyoming. It's a nonprofit group that helps artists, writers, musicians, and dancers. They offer a quiet place for creative people to work.
Contents
History of Ucross Foundation
When Ucross Started
The Ucross Foundation was started in 1981 by a person named Raymond Plank. It is located on a very large 20,000-acre ranch. This ranch is in northeastern Wyoming and is still used for cattle today.
The Big Red Ranch Complex
The main buildings at Ucross are called the Big Red Ranch Complex. These buildings are very old, built in 1882. They are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex includes the Foundation's offices and a public art gallery.
How Ucross Got Its Name
The name "Ucross" comes from an old cattle brand. In the 1880s, the Pratt and Ferris Cattle Company used a brand that looked like a "U" with a cross underneath it. This company had its main office at the Big Red Ranch.
What Ucross Does for Artists
Artist Residency Program
The Ucross Foundation offers a special program called an artist residency. This means they give artists, writers, composers, and choreographers a place to live and work. They get their own studio space and quiet time to focus on their art. These residencies usually last from two to six weeks.
Studios and Accommodations
Up to ten creative people can stay at Ucross at one time. The Foundation has different studios for different types of art. There are four studios for writers and four for visual artists. There are also two studios for composers. The Lauren Anderson Dance Studio is named after a famous dancer.
Artists live in their studios or in renovated historic buildings. These include the old Ucross School House and the Clearmont Train Depot. Each building has bedrooms, a dining area, a living area, and a kitchen. More than 2,600 artists from all over the world have stayed at Ucross.
Working with Other Arts Groups
Ucross works with many other arts organizations. These include the Sundance Institute Theatre Program and the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts. They also partner with the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel. Other groups they work with are the Alley Theatre, Yale University, and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
The Ucross Art Gallery
The Ucross Art Gallery is in the historic Big Red Barn. It is open all year round, and it's free to visit. The gallery often shows art made by artists who have been part of the Ucross program. In 2005, the Foundation won the Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Notable Artists at Ucross
Many famous and talented people have been Ucross Fellows. These are artists who have completed a residency there.
Award-Winning Artists
Some well-known writers include Annie Proulx, Terry Tempest Williams, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Tayari Jones. National Book Award winners like Susan Choi, Sigrid Nunez, and Sarah M. Broom have also stayed at Ucross.
Artists who have won major awards include:
- Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who won Academy Awards and Tony Awards.
- Billy Porter, an Emmy Award winner.
- Michael R. Jackson and Colson Whitehead, who won Pulitzer Prizes.
- Joy Harjo, who was the United States Poet Laureate three times.
Other Talented Fellows
Many other creative people have been Ucross Fellows. This list includes writers like Ron Carlson and Francisco Goldman. Musicians like Ricky Ian Gordon and Adam Guettel have also been there. Visual artists such as Theaster Gates and Anthony Hernandez have worked at Ucross.
Caring for the Land
Conservation Efforts
Ucross also works to protect the environment. They have planted thousands of trees on the ranch. They also placed a special agreement, called a conservation easement, on over 12,000 acres of the ranch. This agreement helps protect the land with the Wyoming Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
Awards for Land Care
In 2010, the Ucross Ranch was a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award. This award is given for excellent land stewardship. The ranch is currently leased by the Apache Foundation.
The Park at Ucross
A newer project at Ucross is creating a community park. It is called The Park at Ucross. This park has a small chapel for different faiths. It also has The Raymond Plank Center. This modern building hosts art shows, artists in residence, and conferences.
