Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence
Indigenous Artist(s)
in Residence
Supported by: |
About the Program
Generously supported by TD Bank Group, the Piiksinaasin (Faculty of Fine Arts) Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program supports early-career and emerging Indigenous artists working in any artistic discipline, including visual arts, performance, music and interdisciplinary forms.
The residency offers a paid and focused period of exploration, allowing artists to develop a body of work, explore a new medium or approach, strengthen their presence in the community and gain valuable experience to support their professional artistic career.
During the residency, artists will create and share new work, mentor students and engage with the community.
Program Activities
Residency Support
- Dedicated studio space, facilities, equipment and staff support
- A living stipend of $5,000/month
Engagement Events
- Guest lectures, classroom visits, workshops, mentorship, artist talks and public presentations
Community Collaboration
- Work with campus Indigenous groups to ensure activities are culturally grounded and responsive to community needs
Public Visibility
- Showcase work in progress through exhibitions, performances, or open studio events
Call for Expressions of Interest
The residency includes dedicated studio space, access to facilities, equipment and staff support, and a stipend for travel and living expenses. Artists have access to Elders on the ULethbridge campus during their residency.
Individual artists: Four weeks up to eight months
Collaborative teams (up to 4 artists): Four weeks up to three months
Artists are expected to contribute to engagement activities, including guest lectures, classroom visits, workshops, mentorship, artist talks or public presentations.
Approximately 20% of the residency time is dedicated to these activities.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis person from the lands now known as Canada. Applicants must identify as an early-career or emerging artist, which we define as artists who have:
- developed their artistic or cultural skills through formal or informal training
- been compensated or recognized in a way appropriate to their practice, community or Indigenous protocols
- maintained an artistic or cultural practice for at least one year, but not more than ten years
- completed at least two artistic or cultural activities that were open to the public
Priority will be given to artists with demonstrated connections to the lands and people of Treaty 7 and Treaty 6 Territories.
- Letters of interest due: August 31, 2026
- Meetings with artists: September – October 2026
- Full proposals due: November 15, 2026
- Announcement of artists: December 15, 2026
- Artist residencies to take place between January 2027 – August 2028
- Stipend: $5,000 per month per artist.
- Artists must reside in Lethbridge or the surrounding area. Accommodation is the responsibility of the artist(s), with assistance available.
Contact Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, Faculty of Fine Arts Dean, with questions related to the Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence Program.
Application Process
1. Submit a one-page letter of interest, providing a brief description of your area of practice and the project you are interested in proposing.
Submissions are due August 31, 2026.
2. Following the August 31 deadline, the Fine Arts Iniskim Advisory Circle will review letters of interest and select artists to meet to discuss their proposals.
3. Selected artists will receive support in developing a full proposal, with a resume or CV and biographical statement; project description; a description of how the residency supports the artist(s)’ creative/career goals; proposed residency schedule; budget; portfolio; and references.
Full proposals are due November 15, 2026.