Multidisciplinary Residencies in Canada

A Position on Retreat

Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, Canada

A Position on Retreat, an artist residency situated in Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island, Canada, offers a serene environment for artists from diverse disciplines. Known as 'The Blue House,' this comfortably renovated home sits at the center of a picturesque tourist town, surrounded by Canada's breathtaking natural landscape. Within a five-minute walk, residents have access to grocery stores, charming coffee houses, restaurants, beautiful beaches, and scenic hiking trails. Enveloped by a temperate rainforest, ancient old-growth forests, the vast Pacific Ocean, and numerous lakes and waterfalls, the residency is a haven for creative inspiration and rejuvenation. A Position on Retreat strikes a perfect balance between community engagement and the tranquility of nature, providing artists with an ideal setting for both creativity and reflection. This artist residency on Vancouver Island is an exemplary retreat for artists who seek to immerse themselves in nature and focus on their creative pursuits. It's an environment where the natural beauty and calm of the surroundings contribute significantly to the artistic process, making it a sought-after destination for artists looking to enrich their practice.

Ada X

Montréal, Canada

Ada X is a bilingual feminist artist-run centre in Montreal offering eight-week production residencies for women, trans, non-binary, and queer artists working in media arts and digital culture. Residents receive a $2,995 fee, workspace access, equipment, mentorship, and opportunities to present their work publicly.

Adélard (Adelard)

Frelighsburg, Canada

Adélard is a non-profit organization dedicated to contemporary art, located in Frelighsburg, Quebec, offering immersive residencies for professional artists. Their six-week residencies provide artists with time and space to develop projects while creating connections with the local community. Residencies take place in a heritage barn, with exclusive studio access during weekdays and public engagement on weekends. Artists are required to participate in at least one cultural mediation activity. The program includes a private apartment, an honorarium, and exhibition space. Adélard aims to foster artistic development and community interaction, contributing to both the artist’s career and local cultural life. Applications are open to artists worldwide, with a focus on diverse and high-quality projects.

Agence TOPO

Montréal (Québec), Canada

Agence TOPO is a digital-arts artist-run centre in Montréal, Québec, Canada, focused on producing and disseminating hypermedia works that explore new narratives and interdisciplinary intersections. It supports creation, dissemination, and education activities in partnership with the art community, issuing calls for proposals for exhibitions, co-productions, and public participation projects open to emerging and established artists in visual and digital arts. While not a traditional residency with fixed stays, it facilitates artist involvement through programming and production spaces.

AGO X RBC Artists-in-Residence

Toronto, Canada

The AGO x RBC Artist-in-Residence Program supports early-career artists with three-month hybrid residencies at the Art Gallery of Ontario, offering mentorship and resources to develop projects engaging museum audiences.

Artscape Gibraltar Point

Toronto Island, Canada

Artscape Gibraltar Point, also known as Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, is a beachfront artist residency on Toronto Islands offering short-term self-directed residencies for artists and writers in a distraction-free environment surrounded by parkland and Lake Ontario. It provides private accommodations, studios, shared kitchen, and amenities like WiFi and bike rentals, hosting thousands of local and international creatives since 1999 in a former school building. Residencies support research, deadlines, collaborations, and are open year-round with typical durations of 1 week to 1 month.

Ayatana Artists' Research

Ottawa, Canada

The Ayatana Artists' Research Program, now known as Biophilium, is a Canadian artist residency focused on encouraging artists' engagement with wildlife, ecology, nature, and life sciences through thematic research expeditions, seminars, and workshops. It previously offered weeklong in-person stays with excursions to natural habitats, labs, and observatories near Ottawa, including housing and meals, but has shifted to two-week online study seminars. Connections are maintained with Ottawa institutions like the National Gallery of Canada and local universities.

Branscombe House Residency

Richmond, Canada

Branscombe House Artist Residency offers professional artists an 11-month live-in stay in a restored 1908 Edwardian house in Steveston, Richmond, BC. Rent is 100% subsidized for 22 hours/month of community-engaged programming. Open to all disciplines.

Caetani Cultural Centre

Vernon, Canada

The Caetani Cultural Centre, located in Vernon, British Columbia, offers international self-directed residencies for emerging and established artists, writers, curators, and cultural researchers. Situated within a historic 1895 heritage home, this residency provides private living spaces and two on-site studios designed for visual and interdisciplinary artists. Participants are encouraged to explore creative practices across a variety of mediums, including visual arts, writing, music, and digital media. Artists can book short-term residencies from three days to up to three months, with extended stays available upon negotiation. The residency fosters a quiet, independent atmosphere while offering optional opportunities for community engagement such as artist talks, open studios, or workshops. The nearby Vernon Community Arts Centre provides additional access to ceramics and printmaking facilities. Nestled in the Okanagan Valley, the Caetani Centre allows residents to immerse themselves in nature, history, and a vibrant local arts scene. Residents are responsible for travel and project costs, but the program provides affordable fees for both accommodations and studio spaces.

Centre des Arts Contemporains du Québec à Montréal

Montréal, Canada

No artist residency named 'Centre des Arts Contemporains du Québec à Montréal' exists based on available information; the closest match is 'Centre des Arts Contemporains du Québec à Sorel-Tracy' (CACQST), located in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, which focuses on promotion, production, and diffusion of contemporary arts through exhibitions, events, and workshops. It appears the query may refer to this center, but it is not in Montréal and no specific residency program details are confirmed. Similar Montréal residencies include CALQ's Atelier-résidence à Montréal for Quebec artists outside the city, offering 6-month studio stays.

Connected Minds by Sensorium at York University

Toronto, Canada

The Connected Minds Artist-in-Residence program, hosted by Sensorium at York University, offers a unique opportunity for artists to engage with the intersection of media arts, performance, and digital culture. This residency supports artist-researchers from equity-deserving groups to explore the social impacts of emerging technologies. Participants will develop research-creation experiments, hold workshops and talks, and produce a public exhibition. The residency emphasizes collaboration with students and faculty, fostering interdisciplinary exchanges across neuroscience, intelligent technologies, and society. The program provides a stipend, a research budget, and access to extensive resources and facilities at York University. Artists are expected to be on-site regularly and contribute to the Connected Minds community through various engagements. The residency can be six months or one year, depending on the project, and is open to artists worldwide.

Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec

MONTRÉAL, Canada

The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) offers the Atelier-résidence à Montréal, a six-month program exclusively for Quebec artists and writers living outside Montreal, providing access to a studio in the city. In partnership with PHI Montréal, CALQ supports the Résidence artistique d'engagement public, also six months long, for one Montreal-based artist and one from elsewhere in Quebec to develop and present public engagement projects. These residencies include financial support, with the PHI program offering a 12,000 CAD stipend per artist and housing for the non-Montreal resident.

The Daniel Langlois Foundation in Montreal offered a Researchers in Residence program supporting doctoral or post-doctoral researchers and equivalent artists exploring innovative approaches at the intersection of art, science, and technology, particularly new media. Residents worked at the Centre for Research and Documentation (CR+D), accessing computer workstations, digital collections, high-speed internet, and technical support. The program ran actively from around to but appears inactive today, with a funding moratorium noted in for other grants.

Fonderie Darling is a visual arts center in Montreal's Old Montreal that offers international artist residencies through its Open Access program, welcoming contemporary artists and curators of all nationalities for tailor-made residencies lasting one to six months in a 19th-century industrial complex. The residency includes access to live-in studios, common areas, technical workshops, and support for artistic development, networking, and promotion.

Dragon Dance Residency

Trois-Rivieres 5225, Canada

The Dragon Dance Residency, based at Dragon Dance Theatre in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada, offers intensive artist residencies focused on theatre, dance, music, mask-making, and plastic arts like sets and costumes for socially conscious work. Participants engage in experimental, improvisational labs, cultural exchange, and collaborative creation culminating in public performances, with meals provided and rustic accommodations such as tenting or dormitory. Upcoming sessions include a Artist Book Makers Congress from July 1-31, with April 26, .

Drake Hotel

Toronto, Canada

The Drake Hotel in Toronto offers an Artist in Residency program that provides artists with accommodation to work in their chosen medium, often in public hotel spaces, fostering creativity and experimentation in a unique environment. The program has been a staple in Toronto's creative scene for years, hosting local, national, and international artists, and includes related offerings like the Artist Loft for touring performers. A sister program at Drake Devonshire in Prince Edward County features 2-3 night stays with food allowances during winter months.

Gallery 44

Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8, Canada

Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography is an artist-run centre in Toronto committed to supporting diverse approaches to photographic and image-based practices through exhibitions, education programs, and artistic production. The organization offers multiple residency opportunities including the Career Launcher program for OCAD U students and the Member-in-Residence program for current Gallery 44 members, providing access to production facilities, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities.

Gibraltar Point

Toronto, Canada

Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts on Toronto Island, Ontario, Canada, offers two types of artist residencies: self-directed and thematic/programmed. The self-directed residencies provide artists, writers, and composers with private accommodations and studio spaces for short-term stays in a distraction-free environment, ideal for creative focus, research, or collaborative work. Studios are well-equipped, ranging in size and amenities, and the serene, car-free island provides a peaceful retreat year-round. The thematic residencies, on the other hand, bring together up to 18 artists to explore specific topics under the guidance of facilitators, fostering collaboration, dialogue, and new perspectives. Gibraltar Point offers accommodations, shared facilities like kitchens and lounges, and access to beautiful outdoor spaces, including scenic lakefront views, making it a unique and inspiring environment for artists across disciplines.

Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts

Toronto, Canada

Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts offers fully subsidized month-long residencies for professional artists on Toronto Islands, providing uninterrupted time to think, create, and experiment. The center hosts various residency types including self-directed programs, thematic residencies, and specialized programs like graduate research-creation residencies, accommodating up to 19 residents at a time.

The International Writers' and Artists' Residency is a non-profit organization in Val-David, Quebec that offers residencies of one to six weeks to writers, poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and visual artists. The residency provides a creative community with communal spaces and hosts biannual international festivals in May and October to facilitate global artistic collaboration and exchange.

Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts (KIRA)

St. Andrews, Canada

Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts (KIRA), founded in 2016, is a prestigious artist residency program located in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. Designed to support artists across various disciplines, KIRA provides six selected artists with a multi-week immersive experience, including individual studio space, private accommodation, and two meals per day. Participants are encouraged to engage with the local community through public teaching sessions and open studios, offering unique opportunities for cultural exchange. Situated on a historic seaside property, the residency provides access to the renowned Kingsbrae Garden and an amphitheater for public events. Artists bear costs for materials and travel, but enjoy full support through dedicated studio and living facilities. KIRA welcomes artists from all career stages who demonstrate a strong work ethic and collaborative spirit.

Main & Station Nonesuch

Parrsboro, Canada

Main & Station Nonesuch is a privately funded artist residency program based in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, and Montreal, Canada that encourages artistic activity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community involvement. The program hosts 1-10 residents at a time (up to 6 in Parrsboro facilities) who are self-directed in their practice and expected to give artist talks, provide community arts programming, and participate in the life of the centre.

Malaspina Printmakers Society

VANCOUVER, B.C. V6H 3S3, Canada

The Printermedia Artist Residency Program by Malaspina Printmakers Society in Vancouver explores the intersection of print media with other art forms in a shared, self-directed studio environment at their Downtown (1265 Howe Street) and Granville Island (1555 Duranleau Street, V6H 3S3) locations. It offers six-month residencies with 24/7 access to printmaking facilities, darkroom, digital printing, and additional spaces like woodshop or metal shop, requiring a lifetime membership ($5) and monthly fees around $300 on a cost-recovery basis.

Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG)

Oshawa, Canada

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program supports ambitious and experimental emerging artists by providing them with the time and space to develop their practice. The program includes a 15-week residency followed by an eight-week solo exhibition, allowing artists to create new work, experiment with bold ideas, and connect with the community. Residents receive professional support and consultation, as well as promotion through the gallery’s communication channels. The program emphasizes professional development through workshops, meetings with curatorial staff, and public programming opportunities. Open to emerging artists within commuting distance of the gallery in Oshawa, Ontario, the residency is designed for those with a small body of work and some public exhibition experience. Participants benefit from access to innovative studio and exhibition spaces and are encouraged to make meaningful connections with visitors and the community. The program also provides a stipend, material support, and an artist exhibition fee to help cover costs associated with production, travel, and installation. The residency fosters growth and experimentation in emerging artistic practices, nurturing creativity and connection within Durham Region and beyond.

Struts Gallery

Sackville, Canada

Struts Gallery offers an annual Open Studio Residency Program for professional visual and media artists in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. The residency lasts for five weeks, typically running from May through October, and supports artists at all career levels by providing a space for experimentation without the pressure of creating a finalized work. Selected artists receive 24-hour access to a 400-square-foot studio within the gallery, along with a private, fully furnished two-bedroom apartment located above the gallery. The program is artist-driven and independent, with staff available for assistance in community outreach and logistical support. As part of the residency, artists are required to engage with the community through at least one public event, such as an artist talk or workshop. The residency includes an artist fee, per diem, travel costs, and access to the gallery’s media arts equipment. Applications open annually after Labour Day, and the selection process is highly competitive.

The Ou Gallery

Vancouver Island, Canada

The Ou Gallery is a gorgeous and intimate place to nurture your creative rest and renewal. Artists and writers have 24-hour access to their own designated studio in a 100 year-old boat-building workshop and a thoughtfully appointed private bedroom in a shared suite with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. Our Great Room, with its modern fireplace, original fir floors, 12’ ceilings and huge windows overlooking a creek fed by Mount Swuq'us (and frequented by herons and owls) is a perfect spot to unwind and connect with other creatives after a full day in the studio. Located in the Quw'ustun Valley, in the heart of Vancouver Island, a stunning, nature-filled place. Come here to decompress, gather new inspiration alongside like-minded artists and devote space and time to your work. There is no fee to apply. Residencies are two or four weeks long. See website for details: www.theougallery.com.

The Sointula Art Shed Residency

Sointula, Canada

The Sointula Art Shed is a small artist-run residency program established in in Sointula, British Columbia, Canada, offering a self-contained cottage and adjacent shed studio with a window gallery in a remote fishing village founded by Finnish socialist utopians. It welcomes writers, musicians, visual, and performing artists seeking quiet, nature access, and community engagement through workshops, open studios, and exhibitions. Residencies typically last 1-2 months at a cost of around $700-850 CAD, with no stipends provided but support for grants and local outreach opportunities.

THIRDSPACE Emerging Artist Intensive

Toronto, Canada

THIRDSPACE Emerging Artist Intensive is a month-long summer residency program at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada, designed for interdisciplinary emerging artists, including students, recent graduates, and early-career practitioners exploring new directions. Participants receive mentorship from a Toronto-based artist-in-residence, access to shared studios and specialized facilities, workshops, field trips, discussions, and culminate in a public exhibition at the OCAD U Graduate Gallery.

Toronto Artscape Inc.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto Artscape Inc. operates artist residency programs, most notably at Artscape Gibraltar Point on the Toronto Islands, offering affordable short-term studio and accommodation rentals for artists seeking focused creative work in a distraction-free environment. The organization is a not-for-profit that develops real estate projects, programs and services to empower artists and connect them to communities across Toronto.

University of Victoria & Jeffrey Rubinoff Sculpture Park Artist Scholar Residency

Victoria, Canada

The University of Victoria & Jeffrey Rubinoff Sculpture Park Artist Scholar Residency is an annual program for artists and scholars to create work for exhibition or publication inspired by Jeffrey Rubinoff’s sculptures and the park experience, typically spanning 2-6 weeks in September-October at the Sculpture Park on Hornby Island, BC, plus one week at UVic in Victoria to engage with faculty and students.

Vacances Arts Nature

Quebec, Canada

Vacances Arts Nature is a summer arts school in Quebec, Canada, offering workshops and artist residencies focused on creation and transmission in a nature-surrounded setting. Residencies occur during the school year with durations of 4, 6, or 8 weeks, providing conditions for artists to learn, create, and discover.

Woodhaven

Kelowna, Canada

The Woodhaven Artist in Residence Program, hosted by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at UBC Okanagan, is a unique opportunity for artists from various disciplines to immerse themselves in a serene natural setting. Situated within a nature conservancy in Kelowna, British Columbia, the program supports artists engaged in visual arts, digital arts, performance, social, and community-based artistic practices, with a special encouragement for BIPOC artists and those from marginalized groups. The residency offers accommodation in a two-bedroom home and full use of a studio at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre, promoting work that explores sustainable and just relationships with nature amidst climate change. Artists are expected to engage in community programming, contributing to the vibrant exchange between the artist, the university, and the broader Kelowna community. The program highlights UBC Okanagan’s commitment to ecological stewardship and creative exploration, providing a paid residency for artists to develop site-specific projects that engage with the local environment and communities. This residency is a testament to fostering artistic innovation and environmental consciousness, offering a contemplative experience for artists to create, reflect, and connect.

Yukon Arts Centre

Whitehorse, Canada

The Yukon Arts Centre offers multiple artist residency programs for visual arts, performing arts, film, music, and literary arts. Programs include the Jenni House Artist Residency (June-October , one-month residencies with $1,000 CAD honorarium), the Kluane National Park Artist Residency (two-week residencies June-August with $3,000 CAD honorarium and accommodations), and the @YAC Residency for performing arts. Residencies serve artists from the Yukon, northern regions, and circumpolar countries.