Artist in Residence Program

The City of Kelowna’s Artist in Residence Program fosters artistic exploration and community engagement, enabling artists to create works that provoke meaningful conversations on topics like climate change and the environment.

City of Kelowna

Overview of the Artist in Residence Program program:

The Artist in Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for artists or artist collectives in Kelowna to engage the community in creative projects that combine artistic excellence and social relevance. Aligning with the 2020-2025 Cultural Plan goals, the program aims to enhance local arts and culture, animate community spaces, and promote thoughtful dialogue on environmental issues. Artists are tasked with creating temporary artworks that incorporate community participation, addressing themes like the environment and climate change. These projects encourage innovation in artistic practices while ensuring accessibility and relevance to Kelowna residents. Selected artists will work on a contract basis, dedicating approximately 20 hours per week over a 10-week period, and will receive $12,000 in funding to cover project costs.

Benefits of the Artist in Residence Program program:

Financial support for artistic projects.
Opportunities to engage with Kelownas community on environmental issues.
Access to City staff for logistical support and marketing assistance.
Promotion of artistic excellence and professional growth.

Eligibility criteria of the Artist in Residence Program program:

Eligibility of Artists
Residency: Applicants must reside in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, which includes Lake Country, Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Peachland, for at least one full year prior to applying and throughout the residency period.
Legal Status: Artists must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, legally entitled to work in Canada for the program's duration.
Experience: The program is open to emerging and professional artists or artist collectives working in various disciplines, such as visual art, performance, music, digital art, and more.
Inclusivity: Submissions from underrepresented artists, including Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, and those from other marginalized groups, are strongly encouraged.
Background Checks: Depending on the nature of the engagement activities, selected artists may need to provide a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening.
Project Eligibility
Theme: Projects must address topics related to the environment and/or climate change.
Community Engagement: A significant aspect of the project should involve engaging with the Kelowna community, fostering interaction through artistic creation, commentary, or other meaningful methods.
Accessibility: Completed works must be accessible to the public through in-person, online, or print mediums.
Timeline and Deliverables: Projects must have clear objectives, a distinct start and end, and definable deliverables.