Artist in Residence

The 2024 residency includes a partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Community Services team to create new opportunities for arts and culture at recreation centres and events. The goals of the residency are to:

• Create opportunities for arts and culture in the community that contribute to social connection and well-being
•  Provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with older adults, youth, and families
• Provide free, fun, and low-barrier activities for the community to discover, experience, and participate in arts and culture

Examples of engagements could include leading interactive workshops or participatory performances, providing artist talks in City or partner venues (e.g.: Seniors Activity Centers, Youth Centers) or participating in City programs and events. Projects cannot be permanently installed in City facilities or parks.

Emerging Artists are defined as those who may have a limited record of exhibitions or public engagement experience. There are no age restrictions on who is considered an emerging artist, however, applicants must be at least 18 years of age. The “artist” may be an individual or collective working in media including, but not limited to drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fashion, craft, installation, performance, sound, music, new media, dance, theatre, and literary arts.   

The selected artist is expected to provide a minimum of twelve (12) engagement sessions over the course of the program. Proposals should outline time dedicated to planning, preparation, and community engagements. Based on the 2024 program focus of social connection and well-being, the following venues, programs, and events have been identified as potential programming opportunities:

City Venues:

• Abbotsford Recreation Centre
• Matsqui Recreation Centre
• Seniors Activity Center (at Abbotsford Recreation Centre)

Partner Venues

• Abbotsford Youth Commission (at Abbotsford and Matsqui Recreation Centres)
• Third party community organizations supporting seniors 
• Kariton Art Gallery

City Programs and Events:

• Canada Day
• Culture Days
• Go Play Outside
• Learning 55+ Plus
• Seniors Week

(The final program locations will be developed in collaboration between the artist and City staff.)

The residency does not include living space, or dedicated studio access, but instead encourages engagement, production, or presentation in City facilities or partner venues. City supports include:

• Artist and materials fee
• Booking of City and partner facilities for engagements and/or presentations
• Access to some facilitation equipment (tables, chairs, tents, portable audio equipment, event signage)
• Limited access to staff for artist engagements as required
• Access to volunteers as required
• Marketing and promotion for artist engagements
  

• Must be 18 years or older (no age limit for applicants)
• Must be able to provide a minimum of twelve (12) public engagement sessions over the course of the program
• Must have a relationship to Abbotsford (live past or present, study, work, or play)
• Must uphold the City of Abbotsford Strategic Plan values of respect, integrity, openness, collaboration, and inclusivity
• The successful applicant will be required to provide a Police Information Check including a Vulnerable Sector Screening. The results of the check must be acceptable to the City of Abbotsford at its sole discretion (assistance and Reimbursement provided)
• The successful applicant will be required to provide insurance listing City of Abbotsford and Abbotsford School District #34 as additional insured (assistance and Reimbursement provided)

Applications from the following communities are encouraged:

• Indigenous Artists
• Culturally Diverse Artists
• Artists with disabilities
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Artists

The chosen artist will be paid $7,000 inclusive of material fees. This can be used to cover artist fees, project development, materials, and the delivery of community engagement programs during the residency. 

A selection committee that includes staff from the City of Abbotsford and the Abbotsford Arts Council will review proposals. Shortlisted artists will be invited for a virtual interview. The selection panel will award the residency based on the proposal’s ability to contribute to the program goals.

The deadline to submit is NOW CLOSED. Applicants will be updated about their submissions and the next steps in the selection process via email.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

If have technical issues or do not receive an email acknowledging your application within 48 hours, please contact the Culture Coordinator at culture@abbotsford.ca.If the application process is a barrier to you, please connect the Culture Coordinator to discuss alternative options no later than Monday, April 15.

2023 Artist in Residence, Lexi Richards: Joy, wonder and learning in the Garden Studio

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Lexi Richards’s ‘Garden Studio’ at Mill Lake was produced in partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Landscape and Horticulture section, providing awareness and appreciation of horticulture in the community. The garden was the primary venue for delivering exciting, accessible, and participatory community art activities based around flowers, planting, gardening, and harvest. The garden became a gathering place for community and was essential in the delivery of public arts and culture programing.

Program Highlights

• Seed and annual planting
• Bouquet and posy arrangement
• Cyanotype photography
• Flower crowns
• Dried flower greeting cards
• Temporary floral art installations
• Floral poetry workshops
• Flower harvesting

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