2025/26 Guest Artist Residency Request for Proposals

Art City invites North America-based artists to submit proposals for our 2025/26 Guest Artist Residency Series. Founded by artist Wanda Koop, Art City is a not-for-profit community art studio based in West Broadway, a culturally diverse and densely populated neighbourhood located on Treaty No. 1 Territory in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Art City provides people of all ages and abilities with innovative, barrier-free art programming, featuring guest artists who lead workshops based on their own art practices. Art City’s primary goal is to provide space and tools for anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively, with a focus on children and youth.

Eligibility:
The Guest Artist Residency Series is designed for contemporary artists to share their practices in a community context. It is a collaborative process with a high level of engagement by participants of all ages, so workshop content must be appropriate for youth participation.

Many Art City participants are from Indigenous and Newcomer communities. Artists and Knowledge Keepers that belong to these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Artists must have a demonstrated proficiency in the mediums the proposed workshop includes and must communicate technical support requirements.

*Please note that Art City is not accepting video-based proposals at this time*

Representatives from art organizations, businesses, or arts educators who are not currently engaged in their own professional art practice are welcome to contact Art City for other opportunities for collaboration aside from the Guest Artist Residency Series.

Proposal Guidelines:

Selection Process
A Jury of Art City staff, Board and community members, as well as past guest artists deliberate proposals. Art City also seeks input from our Youth Council, a group of young Art City participants, on desired art media. All artists will be contacted after the jury has deliberated. Please allow for a period of 6 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline to hear back about the status of your proposal. Winnipeg based artists who are not selected for the Guest Artist Residency Series may be invited to modify their proposal for inclusion in the Community Artist Series.

Artist Fees
Selected guest artists will receive artist fees of $3,250 CDN for a five-day workshop.

Visiting Artist Travel, Accommodations and Per Diem
Selected non-Winnipeg-based guest artists will arrange their own travel. Art City will reimburse up to $1,000 CDN. Art City will issue reimbursement upon submission of travel expense receipts. Expenses related to travel to and from airports are not eligible for reimbursement but have been considered as part of our decision to pay per diems on the travel days before and after the workshop dates (see below).

Art City will arrange and pay for non-Winnipeg based guest artists’ accommodations. Typically, Art City reserves Airbnb suites located in walking distance from our studio. In the event an artist would like to extend their stay in Winnipeg, they will reimburse Art City for any extra days of accommodation.

A $60 CDN per diem (the 5 workshop days plus two travel days for a total of 7 days/$420 CDN) will be provided for selected non-Winnipeg based guest artists.

Pairs or Groups
While proposals from pairs or groups of artists will be considered, please note that no additional artist fees or travel expenses are available. Pairs or groups of artists visiting from out of town will share the $1000 travel budget and accommodations budget. In the event a pair or group of visiting artists are selected, the per diem will increase to $120/day (the 5 workshop days plus two travel days for a total of 7 days/$840) to be shared between the artists.

Safety
Selected guest artists will be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check, or the equivalent in the jurisdiction in which the artist is based, the cost of which is eligible for reimbursement by Art City.

All submissions must include the following:

1. Your name, address, e-mail and phone number.
2. A one-page letter of interest, describing:

• As an artist, why do you want to work with Art City?
• How will your workshop facilitate a meaningful artistic exchange between you and Art City
  participants?
• How will this experience benefit/impact you as an artist?
• Your availability from April 2025 to March 2026

3. A document consisting of a proposed title and brief description of the workshop.
4. A detailed list of materials/equipment required for the workshop.
5. A brief biography summarizing artistic achievements (1 paragraph).
6. CV including any past community engagement (maximum 3 pages).
7. Support material list, including title, medium and dimensions.

• Items 1 – 7 must be submitted in PDF format.
• Include your initials in the title of each file. Example: AB_letterofinterest.pdf.

8. Support material in digital format following these specifications:

Still images:

• .jpg format, 72 dpi resolution
• Recommended minimum size: 300 x 300 pixels, maximum size: 1024 x 768 pixels
• Maximum individual file size: 3 MB
• Labeling: Include your initials, e.g. AB.
• Numbering should correspond with the order on your support material list
• Number the first nine images by placing a zero in front, e.g. 01, 02, 03 etc.
• Include the title of the work and year created, e.g. AB01Title2018

Audio:

• .mp3 or m4a format, 192 kbps

Video:

• .mp4 or .mov format, or video uploaded to VIMEO (vimeo.com)
• Set as a private password-protected and downloadable video
• Include the link with the password in your submission

Submission Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025

Incomplete or late applications are ineligible.
Email proposals to: submissions@artcityinc.com
For further information about Art City and the Guest Artist Residency Series, contact:
Artistic Director, Eddie Ayoub at: eddie@artcityinc.com
Art City
616 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0W8
artcityinc.com

Workshop Information:

Participants
Art City is open to all ages and is attended on a drop-in basis. Many participants are elementary to middle school-age children (ages 6 to 14). Older youth, adults, and older adults also attend Art City programs.

Group Size
Workshop attendance varies from day to day. Participants attend on a drop-in basis, some attending most days, others attending only once, arriving and leaving at different times throughout the evening. Workshop activities should ideally be planned to accommodate both day-by-day and week-long participation, with an average of 25 participants per day.

Daily Schedule:
Workshops are scheduled for a 5-day period, after school from Monday to Friday
The schedule is as follows:

• 3:00 pm Art City staff, volunteers and guest artists arrive to set up the workshop*
• 3:30 pm Doors open, workshop starts, participants begin to drop in
• 5:30 pm We break from art making to enjoy a healthy meal (dinner)
• 6:00 pm Art making resumes
• 7:30 pm Workshop ends, participants leave, staff, volunteers and guest artists begin clean up
• 8:00 pm Doors close, staff, volunteers and guest artists leave

* To ensure there is sufficient time to prepare the workshop, guest artists and staff often arrange to meet earlier than 3:00 pm, especially at the start of the week.

Space:
The main studio area measures approximately 27’x 19’ x 11’H. The studio is a versatile space that can be filled with tables and chairs or used as a wide-open work area.

Supplies:
Art City maintains an inventory of art supplies and owns specialized equipment related to carpentry, ceramics, film photography, digital photography, and new media including audio and video equipment and software. A current list of digital equipment can be made available upon request.

Art City staff secure art supplies in advance of the workshop based on the list included in the workshop proposal and in consultation with the guest artist.

Support:
Selected guest artists will be supported in developing, managing, and facilitating their workshops by the Artistic Director, Studio Programs Manager, Workshop Facilitators, and volunteers.

Workshops are most successful when:

• They are based on the guest artist’s own art practice
• Can be explained to participants in a concise manner
• Participants enjoy a new experience and learn a new skill or technique
• Participants produce artwork they can share with friends and family
• Participants have the opportunity to work both collaboratively and individually
• Participants see their own culture reflected/celebrated.