CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Artspace invites all Members to propose an 8-week Residency project to take place in the Artspace Member Studio at 338 Aylmer Street North in Peterborough. These residencies are self-directed and unpaid, and may be used for creation, research, development, and presentation. The Artspace Member Artist Residency may pilot a new project or bring an existing project into its next phase.
The Residency studio space is approximately 100 square feet with 12-foot-high ceilings. Walls on two sides are available to display artwork and works-in-progress. The expansive west-facing windows make Residency activities visible to foot traffic, bikes, and vehicles, creating a unique opportunity for resident artists to invite the public’s engagement with their work.
RESIDENCY DETAILS
Eligible artists are 18+ years of age and may be emerging, mid-career, or established in their practice. Applicants must be Artspace Members in good standing. Join or renew your membership at https://artspaceptbo.ca/membership.
Benefits:
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Keyed access to your studio between 6 am and 10 pm during the Residency duration.
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Approx. 100-sq. ft. of workspace, publicly visible and free of charge.
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Shared facilities include a modest kitchenette and two bathrooms, one of which is wheelchair accessible.
Responsibilities:
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Activation of our west-facing, street-level windows through some form of public engagement.
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Supplies and materials. (We offer access to some equipment.)
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Living and travel expenses, and associated costs.
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Coordination with Artspace personnel regarding access.
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Maintain independent practice.
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Restoration of studio space to pre-use conditions upon Residency completion.
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Compliance with Artspace safety and security procedures.
The Resident Artist will allow Artspace to publicly share their process and progress via the Artspace newsletter, website, social media channels, etc. Self-directed communications and publicity will be coordinated with Artspace staff.
Accessibility:
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Artspace is a ground-level facility with ramp access on Aylmer Street. The Artspace Gallery, Member Studio, and a public washroom are physically accessible to folks with disabilities.
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Foam earplugs are available at our main entrance and/or by request. Noise levels vary depending on exhibitions and public activities in the Gallery.
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Artspace personnel are committed to working with the successful applicant in support of their individual accessibility needs during their Residency.
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Artspace does not provide compensation for living expenses, accommodations, or travel.
YOUR PROPOSAL
Artists are asked to consider the day-to-day engagement of passers-by 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 artworks through our street-level windows.
Proposals should include some form of public participation, engagement, presentation, or performance to take place at some point during the 8-week Residency. Events may be staged to coincide with Peterborough’s First Friday “gallery crawl” and other opportunities, such as Pride Week, Black History Month, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and International Women’s Day. Residency proposals may include professional development components: an “open studio” schedule for residency artists for studio visits and networking opportunities, skill-sharing & workshops or demonstrations, presentation of works-in-progress or in completed form, an artist talk, or other event(s).
Your proposal should include:
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Residency Summary (50 words max)
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Project proposal (250 words max)
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Artist Bio (approx. 250 words)
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Support Materials from your portfolio
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Support Material Documentation (optional)
Timeframe Options
There are three Seasons of Opportunities for these Artspace Residencies, and applicants must select one or more of the following seasons in priority order and must propose a project that runs for the duration.
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Winter: January 3 to February 28, 2027
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Spring: March 19 to May 15, 2027
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Fall: September 4 to October 30, 2027
Accessibility Requirements
- Do you have specific accessibility needs of which Artspace personnel should be made aware? (Approx. 100 words, optional.)
EVALUATION
A committee of fellow Artspace members and previous Residency participants will review proposals for this Residency. 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:
ELIGIBILTY
Successful candidates must be:
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Artspace Members in good standing
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Practicing artists at any stage of their careers
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Artists working in any discipline including visual art, media arts, performance, works-of-art-in-language, or any combination of media.
Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Notification of Results: October 30, 2026
