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Are you interested in gaining experience, building networks and professional skills needed to launch or expand your artistic practice?  

artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts is thrilled to launch Unmute: Virtual Artist Residency, a 3-week online artist residency program taking place in March 2021. artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts will curate up to 6 Canadian artists to create 3 weeks of programming and activations during our National launch. Encouraging creative approaches to entrepreneurship, professional development, and artistic tools and resources, Unmute: Virtual Artist Residency will showcase artists from across Canada to help them grow their own career and collaborate with them on building creative resources for the Canadian creative community. 

The goal of this residency is to: 

• Offer curated professional development and income generating opportunities to artists during COVID-19. 
• Invite, celebrate and amplify diverse creative approaches to resource sharing, artistic entrepreneurship, and professional development. 
• Enable artist-led conversations and developments around the future of the arts in Canada.
• Engage artists through the artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts online platform: amplify new artist creations supported by artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts, and present it through the artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts online platform and social media. 

As part of their participation in Unmute: Virtual Artist Residency, Artists-in-Residence, with support from artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts team, are expected to:

• Create and share original content to be showcased on the artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts website.
• Share your work in the final digital showcase (format TBD by the group).
• Participate in promotional activities, such as media interviews and discussions.
• Share the artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts website and your participation in the Unmute: Virtual Artist Residency on your relevant social media platforms.
• Attend or participate in other launch events (details to be confirmed closer to launch date). 

Artists-in-Residence will be provided with:

• Artist Fee of $500.00.
• Free access to creative workshops during the residency.
• Opportunities to collaborate with artists across the country.
• Professional Development and 1-on-1 mentorship with a carefully selected mentor.
• An opportunity to be part of discussions on creative approaches to artistic tools, professional practice, and resources. 
• A national platform to showcase your work.

This residency aims to prioritize emerging and early-career Canadian-based artists working in:

media or film, performing arts (theatre/dance), literature, visual arts, music, and multi-disciplinary art who are interested in participating in a virtual residency during the month of March. 

Program components will be offered primarily in English, with translation and ASL services available as needed to support the participation of a diverse community of artists. Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident currently based in Canada to qualify for this opportunity.

How to Apply 

Applicants are asked to submit (1) an artistic CV; (2) creative website, online portfolio, or link to artistic work, (3) 2-3 examples of artistic contributions, and (4) a brief 1-page or 500 word statement of intent. All applicants will receive notice within 2 weeks of the application deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be reviewed. To apply, please click here to fill out the application form and attach the related documents. All documents should be a single PDF or word document.  Deadline for submission is February 5, 2021 at 11:59pm EST. Submissions will be reviewed on February 8, 2021. 

Key Program Dates

Submission Deadline:  DEADLINE EXTENDED: February 7, 2021

Results Communicated (expected): February 17, 2021

Residency Programming: March 8 – March 26, 2021, remote. All workshops and events will be operating synchronously, according to the group schedule. Please allow for at least 8-10 hours of meeting/zoom workshops a week on top of any time dedicated to your artistic practice.

Curation Mandate

50% of artists represented will be from the BIPOC community; other metrics of diversity and equity will be represented across the artists selected, including gender diversity, sexual orientation, and disability. 

artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts provides an online platform that is inclusive and serves as a catalyst for artists to thrive. Our mission reflects this intention, as we welcome people from all experiences, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, race, Indigenous status, ethnicity, mental and physical ability, caregiver status, housing status, place of origin, age and all other statuses protected by the the Canadian Human Rights Act. Please click here to read our commitment statement for additional information.

 

We encourage all applicants to visit the artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts website prior to preparing their proposals to have a better understanding of the organization that will be facilitating this residency. 

Applicants who may require support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Claire Leighton, Assistant Manager, Programs at cleighton@artsunite.ca or call 416-456-5715 at least one week before the submission deadline (February 5, 2021) to allow artsUNITE/UNITÉ des arts to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.