2026 Collaborative Artists Summer Residency
Artspace PeterboroughFor Artspace Members Working in Collaboration Artspace invites Members who are working in teams, or who will form a collective of practicing artists, to propose a project that can be explored, researched, developed, workshopped or created in the Artspace gallery at 338 Aylmer Street North in Peterborough. The Artspace main gallery is a 1000 square foot space with 12 foot high ceilings. This unpaid residency runs from July 5 to August 22, 2026. The Members Residency is open to Artspace members working in any discipline, including visual art, media arts, performance, works-in-language, or any combination. The residency is self-directed and unpaid , and may be used for research, development, creation, and presentation; to pilot a new project or bring an existing project into its next phase. PROPOSALS Artists are encouraged to reimagine the Artspace gallery as a working studio and presentation space, and to consider the day-to-day engagement of passersby on the Aylmer Street sidewalk and road. One of the key objectives of this residency will be to communicate with viewers and/or to activate artwork through our street-level windows. Proposals should include some form of public participation, engagement, presentation, or performance at some point during the 7-week residency. Artists are also asked to consider the 2026 theme of Belonging in their proposal. RESIDENCY RESPONSIBILITIES Activation of our west-facing, street-level windows through some form of public engagement. Supplies and materials. (We offer some of each, and access to some equipment.) Living and travel expenses, and associated costs. Coordinating with Artspace personnel regarding access. Maintaining independent practice and project. Restoration to pre-project site terms after completion of Residency. Compliance with safety and security procedures. Publicly sharing process and progress through applicable modes of communication. Communications will be coordinated with our staff and made public via Artspace newsletter, website, social media channels, etc. YOUR PROPOSAL To be submitted by a single, lead applicant on behalf of a collaborative artistic team EVALUATION Our selection team is asked to reflect on their implicit biases and to prioritize BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or low-income artists. The following criteria will be considered: Clarity of ideas Feasibility Community engagement components Relevance to the 2026 theme of belonging
