Numerous National Parks in America have begun Artist-in-Residence programs since 1984. With the establishment of this program, Denali National Park joins the list of those parks which seek to recognize and support the role played by artists in preservation and interpretation of the country's natural wonders.

The artist-in-residence program is dedicated to exploring new ways for visitors to experience Denali. From hundreds of competitive applications each year, about a half-dozen accomplished artists, writers, and composers are invited by the park superintendent to spend ten days in Denali at their own expense the following winter or summer. Visits include a permit for limited access along the Denali Park Road and time alone at a historic ranger patrol cabin.

The music composition residency draws upon successful foundations in Composing in the Wilderness and Denali Music Festival programs which emphasize contemporary classical music. The final product should be a notated chamber piece for traditional instruments found in classical orchestral repertoire (with optional use of electronics and/or projection). The park hopes that the completed piece will be premiered at the Denali Music Festival in a subsequent year, and the selected composer will consult with park staff to ensure that the instrumentation and technical requirements are appropriate for that setting.

Within this general framework, there are no stylistic requirements.

During the winter period, the residency hosts one writer and one visual artist. In summer, the residency hosts one writer, one composer and two visual artists.