Well known by visual artists as the "Gift of Time", the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program was established in 1967 to provide gifted studio based visual artists with the unique opportunity to concentrate on their work in a supportive, collegial environment for a whole year. This "gift of time" allows artists to work without distraction in an effort to break new ground and focus on individual goals. The Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program’s interest is in strengthening the vitality of the visual art in New Mexico and has been a catalyst in broadening community understanding of contemporary art for over fifty years.