CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS – RESIDENCY FUNDING
The Canada Council for the Arts supports artist residencies through competitive grant programs such as Arts Across Canada and Abroad, Explore and Create, and Supporting Artistic Practice. These funds can help cover project work, travel, research, and creation during a residency in Canada or internationally.
Applicants are typically professional artists, arts workers, or collectives who have been accepted or invited into a residency program. Funding is awarded through a peer-assessed application process.
Learn more here.
BENT Installation shot by Rob Little
ZAGON BURSARY: DIPLOMA PROGRAM / RESIDENCY
The James Zagon Bursary was created to uplift emerging photographic talent at a pivotal stage in their artistic journey. Established by Sandra Zagon in memory of her late husband, this bursary provides meaningful financial support to help an individual overcome economic barriers as they pursue their career development through either the SPAO Diploma Program or the SPAO Artist Residency.
A lifelong avid photographer who documented the people and places around him, James Zagon blended artistic vision with technical mastery throughout his long career at the Bank of Canada where he photographed the National Currency Collection. Born in New York in 1945, he moved to Ottawa in 1970, where he lived with his wife of almost 32 years before passing away in 2002.
The James Zagon Bursary recipient is determined by a jury of senior SPAO staff.
For more information e-mail admin@spao.ca.
Photo by SPAO Donor Jim des Rivières
SPHINX BURSARY: ARTIST RESIDENCY
The SPHINX bursary is given out annually to a student who is graduating from the SPAO Diploma Program and has committed to entering the (July-Start or January-Start) Artist Residency immediately following their graduation, subject to availability. This is a merit-based bursary however, financial need may play a role in determining the final selection between comparable applications. Please note that applicants for the SPHINX bursary must complete the artist-in-residence form before they can be considered for the Sphinx bursary.
The value of this bursary is $1,500.
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Applicants to the SPHINX bursary will submit:
Artist bio, maximum 100 words
Artist CV, maximum 1 page
A text describing your proposed project for the Residency, maximum 250 words
5-10 images that reflect your artistic practice and strengthen your application. (minimum 5 images, maximum 10 images, sized at 20 inches on the shortest edge at 72 DPI).
Images should be accompanied by an image list saved in PDF format; provide the image number, title, and medium. Use this document to clarify image details.
MOTHER ARTIST BURSARY: ARTIST RESIDENCY
SPAO, in partnership with Alexa Mazzarello Studio and 44.4 Mother/Artist Collective, is currently accepting applications for the inaugural Mother Artist Initiative. Mother artists who work within the medium of photography or lens based practices are encouraged to apply.
The Mother Artist initiative recognizes and supports a Canadian mother/artist working in the arts whose practice explores the complexities of motherhood and/or caregiving in contemporary life. The recipient must be an artist, 35+, who identifies as a mother with a long-term project well underway and a clearly articulated vision for its continued development.
The inaugural recipient will receive an award valued at $10,000, including:
$5,000 cash prize
6-Month SPAO Residency valued at $5500 (includes facility access, a paid exhibition opportunity, and mentorship from SPAO’s curator, Katie Lydiatt)
Mentoring from previous recipient (for inaugural initiative, mentor will be Alexa Mazzarello)
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Candidates must:
Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Be 35+ years of age. There is no age limit cap.
Identify as a mother/caregiver.
Be working primarily with lens-based media in the inaugural year.
Must relate to the theme of mothering and/or caregiving.
Have at least 75% of their project complete and clearly articulated next steps.
All ethnicities and abilities are encouraged to apply.
Portrait of Jason Michaels by Jennifer Stewart
JASON MICHAELS BURSARY: ARTIST RESIDENCY
Jason Michaels was a graduate of SPAO who passed away in 2016. Jason was an expert craftsman in the darkroom who created incredible silver gelatin prints in the SPAO darkroom; his second-year project consisted of stunningly beautiful classical nudes. Jason had always expressed an interest in completing the SPAO Artist Residency.
The Jason Michaels Memorial Bursary, given at maximum once a year, will go towards supporting one artist per year who intends to complete SPAO’s Artist Residency. This bursary will provide artists with the ability to participate in the SPAO community and develop their artistic careers.
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Any application to the SPAO Artist Residency, in which the applicant expresses financial need, will automatically be considered for the Jason Michaels Memorial Bursary. You do not need to be a graduate of SPAO to be considered for this bursary. The value of this bursary is based on merit and need. The Jason Michaels Memorial bursary is awarded at our annual Artists-in-Residence exhibition or event in September.
Any donations made by clicking the link under “Donate” will go towards the Jason Michaels Memorial Bursary.
S. MARIA BRANDT
JASON MICHAELS MEMORIAL BUSARY