Apply for the Resident Artist Program

The Resident Artist Program at the Living Arts Centre offers professionally-equipped studio spaces and support across nine disciplines for recent graduates of arts and design institutions, and emerging and mid-career artists.

Benefits

Through the program, artists can develop their practices in a multi-disciplinary environment, exhibit their work, participate in professional development activities and network with other artists and arts professionals in the program and community.

  • Self-directed residency
  • Professionally-equipped studios
  • Interdisciplinary studio access
  • Shared and individual studio space (depending on the studio selected)
  • Additional storage for artwork and supplies
  • Wi-Fi and all utilities included
  • Reduced parking rates
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Teaching opportunities
  • Support of an on-site Studio Technician
  • Annual exhibition at the Living Arts Centre or other off-site location
  • Promotion on the website and social media accounts
  • Networking opportunities

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Resident Artist Program, you must fit into one of the following categories:

  • New Graduates must commit to a one-year term that can be renewed for two years pending successful participation in the previous year.
  • Must have graduated within two years of the application deadline from a post-secondary institution (recognized art, craft, design institute, college, or university).
  • Eligibility is determined based on graduating year (i.e. anyone who has graduated in 2021 or later is eligible for a 2023 residency start date).
  • Technically competent in the relevant studio(s).
  • Able to work in a collaborative environment.
  • New Graduates have access to onsite storage and dedicated workspace.
  • Resident Artists must commit to a one-year term that can be renewed for 8 years pending successful participation in the program in the previous year.
  • The maximum number of years a Resident Artist can participate in the program is 8 years as a Resident Artist and 2 years as a New Graduate (if applicable) for a total of 10 years.
  • If the artist is ineligible for the New Graduate program, the maximum number of years a Resident Artist can participate is 8 years.
  • After graduation from the Resident Artist program, artists are eligible to become Renters.
  • Practicing artist for three or more years.
  • Developed and continues to develop a body of work (active exhibition and competitive sales history).
  • Graduate of a recognized art, design, or craft institute, college, or university, or a practicing artist with equivalent experience.
  • Technically competent in the relevant studio(s).
  • Focused on creating conceptual art and design: functional and/or non-functional.
  • Able to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Resident Artists have access to onsite storage and dedicated workspace.
  • Short-term project-based residencies are between 3 and 6 months.
  • Artists must provide supporting documentation of their project.
    • Examples: project-based grant acceptance letter or commission letter.
  • Graduate of a recognized art, design, or craft institute, college, or university, or a practicing artist with equivalent experience.
  • Technically competent in the relevant studio(s).
  • Able to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Email residency.residency@mississauga.ca for inquiries and availability.
  • Renters are artists who rent the space on a short-term basis (less than 12 months) and do not have documentation for a project-based residency.
  • Renters can sign a one-year contract to stay on after they have graduated from the Resident Artist program.
  • Graduate of a recognized art, design, or craft institute, college, or university, or a practicing artist with equivalent experience.
  • Technically competent in the relevant studio(s).
  • Able to work in a collaborative environment.
  • Renters do not have access to onsite storage or dedicated workspace unless they commit to a one-year contract.
  • Email residency.residency@mississauga.ca for inquiries and availability.

How to apply

Artists must submit a completed application form online to be considered.

Applications must include:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV) – please ensure this highlights the tools/equipment you are trained to use
  • Artist Bio (250 words maximum)
  • Letter of Intent (250 words maximum)
  • Ten images of your current work and accompanying image list
  • Any supporting documents (New Graduate Residency: proof of graduation from a post-secondary institution, Project Based Residency: project-based grant acceptance letter, project-based commission, etc.)

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our artists. We encourage applications from individuals that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Deadlines

Submissions for the 2024-2025 program have now closed.

New Graduate Program, Resident Artist Program, and one year Renter Contracts:
Term of September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025.

Short-Term Project-Based Residencies and Renter applications are accepted year-round.

Resident Artist Program fees are set on an annual basis and approved by City Council. Rates are for long-term residencies with new graduates eligible to receive a subsidized rate. Fees for interdisciplinary residencies are calculated based on the studios and facilities required.

Artists must also provide all their own materials. Glass studio artists must purchase a cullet from the Living Arts Centre.

There is a contractual commitment of one year for long-term residencies, with the option to renew following an annual review. Project-based residencies must be three to six months in duration.

All artists must provide proof of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and liability insurance, which can be purchased through the City of Mississauga or provided by the artist through an eligible home or studio insurance policy. Artists will also be required to complete other training as necessary.

Artists are required to participate in exhibition opportunities within the Living Arts Centre and at off-site locations, bi-annual studio clean ups, artist meetings including critiques and Resident Artist events.

It is an expectation that all artists work respectfully in the studios and collaborative spaces, and follow all health and safety policies and procedures.

Monthly studio fees, housing and transportation are the responsibility of the artist.

Failure to comply with the Resident Artist contract at any time will result in the termination of the residency.

Contact

Culture Division
residency.residency@mississauga.ca
905-615-3200 ext. 8182