Griffin Art Projects, in partnership with Shumka Centre at Emily Carr University Art + Design (ECU), presents three residency awards to ECU MFA students graduating in 2023. These residency awards recognize the achievements of distinguished students in the MFA program. Selected recent graduates will receive professional development for the next stage of their careers through the provision of a short-term studio space (see below for details), materials stipend and introductions to arts administrators in the city in order to support the development of their practice.

These awards alleviate the burden and costs of finding and renting a studio, and provide material and community support through Griffin’s platform as emerging artists transition to professional practice upon graduation.

We invite applications from graduating ECU MFAs for all awards by March 3, 2023

Griffin Art Projects and Shumka Centre are invested in creating opportunities that celebrate diversity and intersectionality in sexuality, gender, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and ability. We extend a special invitation to practitioners from diverse backgrounds, including individuals of Indigenous descent.

The Griffin x ECU Studio Award

The successful applicant to the Griffin x ECU Studio Award will be expected to work regularly in the Griffin studio for the duration of two-months and be available for presentations and/or engagement activities. Griffin will provide an opportunity for a public presentation (an artist talk, workshop, or open studio event, for example), as well as visibility, professional development, and connections to the local art community.

Facilities include a 340 sq. ft., lightly furnished studio for each resident, with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Please note the studio space may host one more resident. Griffin closely monitors the provincial guidelines in response to COVID-19 and regularly reviews and implements corresponding health and safety protocols within our residency building. 

The successful Griffin x ECU Studio Award applicant will receive:

• Rent-free studio space in Griffin Art Projects residency building in July – August 2023
• A materials stipend of $2,000.00
• The opportunity to share the works created throughout the residency during a virtual artist talk and onsite open studio event organised and promoted by Griffin Art Projects
• The opportunity for professional development and networking opportunities in Vancouver and beyond.

Griffin x ECU Fellow Studio Award

The successful applicant to the Griffin x ECU Fellowshsip Studio Award will be expected to work regularly in the Griffin studio for the duration of the three-months, and to be available for presentations and/or engagement activities. Griffin will provide an opportunity for a public presentation (an artist talk, workshop, or open studio event, for example), as well as visibility, professional development, and connections to the local art community.

In addition,  this award includes an education and outreach fellowship that occurs in partnership with the Gordon Smith Gallery through the Artists for Kids Program.  The Fellowship connects the artist with a class of local North Vancouver high school students for a series of engagement opportunities culminating in a small student exhibition. The program provides unique professional development opportunities for the Fellow and for students to engage in critical discussion and hands-on creative making within a mentorship structure.

Facilities include a 340 sq. ft., lightly furnished studio for each resident, with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Please note the studio space may host one more resident. Griffin closely monitors the provincial guidelines in response to COVID-19 and regularly reviews and implements corresponding health and safety protocols within our residency building. 

The successful Griffin x ECU Fellowship Studio Award applicant will receive:

• Rent-free studio space in Griffin Art Projects residency building In September – November 2023
• A stipend of $1,500.00
• The opportunity to share the works created throughout the residency during a virtual artist talk and in-person open studio event organised and promoted by Griffin Art Projects
• The opportunity for professional development and networking opportunities in Vancouver and beyond.

The successful candidate will deliver the following three engagement opportunities:

• An informal half-hour studio tour and question/answer session with a group of local high school students.
• A one-hour hands-on art-making workshop (this would take place at the school).
• A one-hour student critique session with students (this would take place at the school).

Please Note: If you are submitting an application to these awards please keep in mind the location of the studio and the time period, as our goal is to have artists that will use the space regularly during the three-month period. The studio is close to the Sea-Bus terminal, The Lonsdale Quay Market and the Polygon Gallery. This is a studio-only residency, and the successful candidate is responsible for their travel to and from the studio space.

The Similkameen Artist Residency Award 

The Similkameen Artist Residency Award provides an artist with the opportunity to live and work at the Similkameen Artist Residency for two months (dates to be determined in collaboration with SAR and the artist). Applicants are asked to indicate in their application if they would like to be considered for this award; no additional application materials are required. 

About the Similkameen Artist Residency

Located on the Similkameen River, far away from the hustle of the big city, and nestled in the beautiful Southern Okanagan region of British Columbia, the Similkameen Artist Residency provides an affordable, focused environment for artistic development and growth. Enhanced by an ethos of community, curiosity, and creative exchange, our program offers the unique opportunity to live, work and cultivate new ideas alongside a cohort of like-minded peers. Our vision is to create an engaging and supportive environment that fosters a productive and enriching group dynamic and encourages exploration and artistic growth. With the support of a group setting, there is dialogue and companionship in a spectacular location.

The successful SAR applicant will receive:

• 2  months of studio space and rent-free accommodation in the SAR residency building, a large log house with a communal kitchen and sitting room. 
• A materials stipend of $700
• The opportunity to share the works created throughout the residency during a virtual open studio event organised and promoted by Griffin Art Projects
• The opportunity for professional development and networking opportunities in Vancouver and beyond

Please Note: The award winners will be staying in the house with 1-3 additional individuals, including the residency coordinator and other artists. Participants are responsible for all travel and personal expenses including food and materials related to their work. Artists are requested to leave their living and working spaces “as they found them” and paint, patch and tools will be provided. A refundable deposit of $400 is required to commit to the Residency once an artist has been selected and is returned at the end of their stay upon successful inspection. It is about a 4-hour drive to get to Keremeos from Vancouver by car.

How to Apply to All Awards

Applicants interested in this opportunity should submit the required materials listed below no later than March 3rd, 2023 to dmoppett@ecuad.ca and Faune Ybarra faune@griffinartprojects.ca 

Proposals should include in one single PDF:

• Indicate which residency/residencies you are interested in. Note: If you are interested in the Griffin x ECU Fellowship Studio Award, briefly describe your approach to community engagement (specifically with youth) and any relevant experience that you’d like to share.
• A 350-word artist statement: Tell us about the key inquiries and ideas that drive your work and practice in a more general sense. 
• A 350-word statement of intent: What do you propose to do throughout your residency and how will this opportunity benefit your practice post-ECU? Consider telling us why you’d like to participate in a residency at Griffin Art Projects/Similkameen –specifically– and how you plan to use the space. 
• 10 images that document your practice, either individual works or installation shots. Please include titles, dimensions, media and year for all works submitted. For videos: Please send links to Youtube / Vimeo files that can be accessed online. 

Griffin Art Projects and SAR accepts applications from visual artists working in a variety of mediums, including but not limited to painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, video and film, new media etc. Please note that Griffin Art Projects nor SAR provides access to specialized tools and equipment. Residency projects may include creative research, development and production of new or ongoing works.

For More Information

Contact us at shumka@ecuad.ca

Deadline: March 3, 2023

This Award Series is organized in partnership between Griffin Art Projects and Shumka Centre at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and funded by the RBC Foundation in support of RBC Emerging Artists.