Call to Artists

Term

Residencies are 3 months. There is no fee to use the space.

Applications are accepted for 3 month blocks, beginning January 1, 2024 through to the end of 2024. Blocks can be any continuous 3 month period to the end of 2024, eg. January 1-March 31, February 1-April 30.

The artist commitment:

In exchange for free use of the space, the artist is expected to:

• work in the studio at least 3 half days per week. The Art Studio is open to hotel guests for informal interactions whenever artists are on site.
• contribute to the arts programming of the hotel, by exhibiting work in one of the hotel’s public spaces or rooms, offering a workshop, or some other program or activation agreed upon with the curator. Exhibiting work does not necessarily immediately follow the residency, and if more than one work is exhibited, not all of it needs to have produced during the residency.

The space:

Each artist space is approximately 11×6 feet, delineated by 2 tables (60×30 in and 72×30 in, arranged in a L-shape). A rolling, upholstered task chair is provided for each artist. The space is open – walls do not separate the artist spaces. Three raised worktables for common use are in the middle of the room. The Art Studio is well lit by overhead fluorescent and track lights. It has 3 windows on the west side, which receive light through window wells. The Art Studio is located on the Studio Level, one floor below the main floor. It is accessible by stairs only.

Types of media suitable for the space:

The studio is an open space: practices that make regular use of dust-producing, noisy equipment are not a fit. Drills and other small power tools may be used from time to time but should not be a primary part of the artist’s practice. The studio does not have an industrial ventilation system – oil-based paints, turpentine, and varnishes are not permitted. Torches and burners are not permitted. Suitable media include:

• 2D work including drawing, painting (acrylic, tempera or watercolour only), collage, mixed media, illustration, block printing (water-based inks only)
• Small scale sculpture (certain materials may not be a fit)
• Textiles and fashion (sewing machines and irons are permitted)
• Jewellery (wirework, beadwork)
• Digital Work

Gladstone House provides:

• 2 work tables
• Task chair
• Cabinet
• Free WIFI. No access to computers and printers

The artist provides:

• All materials and equipment
• This residency offers space only – accommodation and stipend are not provided

Criteria:

• This call is open to professional artists* at any career stage (must be at least 19 years old).
• The opportunity is best suited for local artists – we do not provide accommodation or transportation.
• The Gladstone Hotel is committed to equity and diversity. Qualified applicants with diverse identities and lived experiences are encouraged to apply.
• Artists are assessed on the application materials described below, the fit of the practice to the space and the timeslots available. Priority is given to artists who do not have access to studio outside their homes.

*The Canada Council defines a professional artist as an artist who:

• Has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
• Is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
• Is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, if possible financially
• Has [some] history of public presentation or publication [including exhibitions as part of post-secondary coursework or thesis]

Application materials:

Please complete the application form. You will be asked to provide:

• Artist bio. Tell us about yourself (max 125 words). Gladstone House encourages applications from artists with diverse identities and lived experiences. You may choose to share how you identify here. This information will be viewed by the Curator and will not be shared elsewhere without your consent.
• Artist statement. Tell us about your practice. What do you make? What is your work about? (max 125 words)
• Work plan. What do you plan to work on? What’s the outcome – an exhibition? Sale? Developing new ideas? A specific outcome isn’t mandatory – we just want an idea of what you’ll be working on. (max 75 words)
• 5 images of your work, or a link to your website
• Do you currently have access to a studio space?
• Preferred dates. When would you like to work here? Please provide a preferred 3 month block of time. If you are creating work for a show, sale or other deadline, please include those dates. If your dates are flexible, please provide the earliest date you’d be willing to start.

For questions, or to request an alternate format, please contact:

Lee Petrie, Curator, Archive Hospitality at lpetrie@archivehospality.com. Please indicate Artist Residency in the subject of your email.

Applications are due by 11:00PM (EST) on November 12, 2023.