ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
The artist-in-residency program at the Chester Art Centre is made possible by the Donald Curley fund, established in memory of the International Chester artist upon his death in 2009. Funded by contributions of friends and family, as well as the proceeds from the Donald Curley lecture series, please check back here for lecture details and to make donations or purchase tickets for upcoming lectures.
The residency exists to support artists as they stretch and grow their artistic scope with a required project including community engagement. Please check back regularly or sign up for our newsletter for information on upcoming residencies.
2023 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
APPLY NOW FOR OUR 2023 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
A Creative Residency in the Village of Chester:
April 8 to June 8, 2023 + Exhibition June 8-18, 2023
Completed proposal submission deadline is: Friday, October 14th, 2022
Notification to successful applicants will be made by Monday, October 31, 2022
*incomplete applications will not be considered
Program Description
The Chester Art Centre (CAC) located in the beautiful seaside Village of Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada invites applications for its 2023 Artist in Residence program. All visual art mediums and styles as well as both emerging and established professionals are welcome to apply. The goal of the residency is to provide you with the resources you need to grow and stretch as an artist. Your proposal must highlight how you plan to engage the community and how the support will propel you in new artistic directions.
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We plan to accept 2 residents into the program, however, the Centre reserves the right to award 2, 1 or no residencies for our 2023 program.
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A stipend of $1,000 per month will be paid. You will be advanced funds for your portion of the rent for the studio space and accommodations that we have identified.
The AIR program allows artists to create new work that will contribute to the development of their art practice and to interact with the local community. The artists are expected to participate in: a community meet & greet and/or artist talk (as an intro to you & your practice or as a discussion of the work created during the AIR), open artist studio day, development and presentation of at least one community art workshop, and a final exhibition at the Chester Art Centre. Although no formal number of works are required for the exhibition, it is hoped that the AIR will be a productive opportunity to present a relevant new body of work. The exhibition will run from June 8-18, 2023.
Applicants are responsible for the cost of travel arrangements to and from Chester. Artists are responsible for ordering or bringing their required materials at their own expense. We have identified a comfortable two bedroom, two bathroom, kitchen, living room and dining room house with large yard within five minute walking distance to all the village amenities that the two residents will share. We have also identified private studio spaces to accommodate most artistic practices, including the option for ceramic artists.
Application
Suggestions to help with a strong application:
We welcome ALL interested candidates to apply.
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A complete CV, including education, exhibitions, grants/scholarships, AIR, press & media, personal website, etc
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A clear and concise statement of your current art practice, including process, concept, and media.
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Present recent work with a cohesive focus, rather than a mishmash of work from the past ten years (10-12 images not including details of work). A works’ list including title, media, size, date.
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Clearly state how the AIR would allow you to develop and expand your art practice, such as a change in subject or concept, change in scale of work, adding or development of a new media or process, etc. CAC recognizes the creative process often presents the unexpected and are open to your final result differing from your original intentions.
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A clear and concise description of your intended community art workshop or demonstration, including the media, length of time required, audience (children, adults, family), and the expected level of ability required (for workshop). Art supplies and workshop space for the workshop will be provided by the CAC.
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Please indicate if you have any professional commitments that might interfere with your ability to fully commit to the AIR, such as jobs, workshop offerings, exhibition openings, etc.
