Applications are now open for the 2021/2022 Indigenous Youth Artist-in-Residence Program, a six-month residency beginning in the fall of 2021. This annual program, now in its fourth year, aims to support the practice of a young Indigenous artist by offering paid studio time, professional development opportunities, and artist mentorship, as well as the opportunity to audit a course at the University of Toronto Scarborough and access other University resources (facilities, events, staff & faculty). The residency will culminate with a presentation of the completed work.

The program is open to Indigenous youth aged 16-24. Application deadline is Monday, August 16, 2021.

The residency will be approximately six months, from October 1, 2021 to April 15, 2022. The artist-in-residence will spend approximately 5 hours/week in the studio space, some additional time each week on documentation, progress reports, and project writing, and 3 – 4 hours each month for meetings, mentorship, and professional development sessions.

From January to April 2022, another 3 hours/week will be spent auditing a University course selected by the artist; with some additional time for course work. Auditing a course means full participation without tuition costs, or the pressure of having work graded.

As public health guidelines allow, the course audit and at least some studio time will take place at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus and 7th Generation Image Makers studio at the Native Youth Resource Centre. Meetings, mentorship, and professional development sessions may be in-person or virtual, depending on scheduling and public health guidelines.

During the residency, artists are encouraged to use their time to take advantage of University resources (mentorship from gallery professionals and faculty; guest artist lectures; borrowing privileges from the library; programming from the Indigenous Engagement program; and more).

The artist will receive a stipend of $1800, and $500 to cover material costs, course requirements, and transportation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates are requested to outline how they would like to use their residency, what kind of work they envision creating, how they will be inspired by the University environment, and possibilities that can be explored during the residency period.

Artists will be considered based on the submission of an outlined set of criteria including:

• A short project proposal;
• An artist statement;
• A statement outlining what would you like to gain from the University experience and how it may contribute to your professional goals;
• A ranked selection of the type of media you would be most interested in working with/learning more about;
• Current CV;
• A set of 3 – 10 images or 3 minutes of video highlighting your artistic practice.

For full details, and to apply, download the application form.