We invite all visual and literary artists from Metro Vancouver to submit applications for an artist-in-
residence program in the project, Changing the Conversation: Re-envisioning Narrative Engagement
about Housing Insecurity in Communities, which is a partnership with Douglas College that explores how
to improve public discourse on different dimensions of housing insecurity through the arts.
In recognizing how diverse our community is, and in order to break down any exclusionary barriers and
create a platform for marginalized voices, we specifically encourage artists with lived experience of
housing insecurity, broadly understood, to apply. Artists on the LGBTQ spectrum, non-binary artists,
artists of colour, Indigenous artists, and disabled artists, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Submissions will be received up to 4:00pm on November 14, 2022
Overview:
This project examines how public spaces and public art can facilitate a healthier discourse about housing
in the community that prioritizes the perspectives of those with lived and living experience of housing
insecurity as a lived expertise and that uses arts-based engagement to develop new narratives focusing
on the value of the community coming together to support affordable housing for everyone. Public
indifference or opposition to socially-beneficial housing is often accompanied by stigmatizing stories
about those impacted by poverty and various forms of housing insecurity. The goal of this project is to
use the arts to engage in narrative transformation that resists stigmatization by encouraging the
community to see more deeply, reflectively, and empathetically into the world of those without secure
housing in New Westminster and the broader Metro Vancouver area.
The first phase of the project, January-July 2023, involves a series of action-oriented conversation circles
designed to understand challenges facing marginalized communities with regard to housing insecurity
and to propose solutions to the housing crisis from the perspective of lived and living experience of
housing insecurity. The second phase of the project, September 2023-August 2024, involves launching a
public advocacy and art campaign to build greater understanding and consensus in the community
about the need to implement and expand solutions to the housing crisis. The third phase of the project,
September 2024-August 2025, involves developing a volume of artwork and essays on the project
themes that is designed to reach a wider audience beyond Metro Vancouver.
Eligibility:
This call is open to applications from both established and emerging artists in the following categories:
1) Creative Writing
2) Visual Arts (including photography)
Two artists-in-residence will be selected, one from each of the categories above. Artists-in-residence
should live in New Westminster or have a connection to New Westminster and reside in the surrounding
region.
Job Description:
Artists-in-residence will pursue their own work in relation to the project themes and are encouraged to
creatively decide how best to connect their own practice to these themes.
Artists-in-residence will be responsible for creating 3-5 pieces per year to be used within the project
activities and exhibitions. All artwork in the project will be licensed within a Creative Commons
framework and will not be monetized.
Artists-in-residence will also be responsible for taking part in project activities (planning meetings,
conversation circles, other events, mentoring emerging artists with lived and living experience of
housing insecurity), which will involve 5-10 hours per week on average.
Timeline:
The artist-in-residence duties for the first phase of the project will start no later than December 1 st , 2022
and end in August 2023. Subsequent years will run from September 2023-August 2024 and September
2024-August 2025.
This is a three-year project, and renewal of the artist-in-residence will take place annually by mutual
agreement between the artist and the project administration. A commitment to the first year is
necessary to apply, but an openness to stay in the position for the entirety of the project is strongly
encouraged.
Remuneration:
Each artist-in-residence will be provided with a stipend of $30,000 for each year of the project.
Other forms of support (transit, childcare, etc.) can be made available to support involvement of the
artist-in-residence in project activities.
Artists-in-residence will also have access to working space in Centennial Lodge and the facilities of other
project partners in New Westminster.
How to Apply for the Artist-in-Residence Program:
The ACNW is dedicated to inclusion and access to the submissions processes and will accept applications
in:
Zipped folder (no larger than 5MB) or by file hosting service (eg. WeTransfer, Google Drive)
Single PDF
Video submission. No more than 10 minutes and must be below 200MB
In-person or Oral application: Please email us at least 10 business days before the application
deadline. We may not be able to accommodate requests made any later.
To be considered for the Artist-in-Residence Program, please submit the following:
A Curriculum Vitae (5 pages max.) including a list of your previous exhibition and education
experience. Please include: mailing address, phone number, email, website
A selection of 3-5 pieces of previous work. Written pieces can be grouped together in one
document. Digital images should be jpg format at 150 dpi; each image should be a maximum of
800 x 600 pixels. Image files should be clearly labelled with your Name, the Title of Work, Size in
inches and Medium. Example: Artist-Title-Size-Medium.jpg
An Artist Statement (up to 500 words) giving your aims and objectives as an artist in relation to
your work. An explanation of how you could see your work contributing to the overall project
objectives would be valuable.
An Artist Biography (up to 500 words) to establish a better understanding of your background
and experience. Lived and living experience of housing insecurity, or experience working with
populations with this experience, would be an asset in the project and may be mentioned.
Mentorship experience of emerging artists would also be an asset.
Submit via email to info@acnw.ca with “Artist-In-Residence Submission – Changing the Conversation
Project” in the subject line. Deadline for submission is 4:00pm on November 14, 2022. All
applications will be notified of results.
The Selection Process:
The Selection Committee will meet in November 2022 to consider all applications received. All
applications will receive a reply by email. Select individuals will be contacted for an interview. If your
interview is successful, you will be contacted, and a contract will be sent to you. This contract will
outline your responsibilities and providing other details and dates. A signed contract is required before
the artist-in-residence program can commence.
Application Tips:
• Be sure that all documents include your name, name of your artwork, and complete contact
information.
• Email submissions are preferred. For physical submissions, please phone the gallery at 604-525-
3244 for equitable access procedures.
• DO NOT send composite images or prepared slideshows
• Please test all digital documents on a PC computer to ensure compatibility
Submit your application via email to: info@acnw.ca
Estimated Timeline:
October 14, 2022 Call to Artists Launched
November 14, 2022 Deadline to submit
November 2022 Selection Committee meets
November 2022 Artists contacted and interviews held
December 2022 Artist-in-Residence Program commences
Contact:
All enquiries should be directed to:
Laura Grady, Executive Director
Phone: 604 525 3244
info@acnw.ca
