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What Makes this event different?

The School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) was established in 2005 as an alternative for study in the photographic visual arts offerings students an intensive, community-oriented and collaborative learning experience. SPAO’s Artist Residency has been put into practice in order to provide support and structure for working photo-based artists and photographers in the Ottawa area, and beyond.

Copyright Policy

The artist/photographer retains copyright ownership.

The School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO) invites applications for the Artist in Residence for Photographers and Photo-Based Artists. This extended photographic mentorship and residency is one of the most unique residencies of its kind. This residency is designed for visual artists who have previously completed formal training in visual arts and/or lens-based media and are ready to intensely focus on an aspect of their existing career or on a specific upcoming project. As a self-directed residency, artists are afforded the time and environment needed to research, experiment, and produce an on-going body of work as a professional working artist. Through an extensive residency, we provide the physical space and regular mentorship consultation designed to meet the individual needs of our participants.

Residency Dates:

January 2019 – August 2019 (inclusive). Application deadline: December 7, 2018

Facilities

Surrounded by an immersive photographic community, artists are given access to SPAO’s studio and multi-format darkroom for both silver gelatin and alternative printmaking. Industry standard lighting, inkjet printmaking facilities and a selection of 35mm film and digital, medium and large format film cameras are available.

*Please note: SPAO facilities will be available to residency participants according to facility availability. SPAO does not offer individual, permanent studio space. 

SPAO's Residency Coordinator and the Director of Education uphold SPAO’s creative and collaborative principles and extend our creative philosophy to our artists in residency.

SPAO's Director of Education will lead a weekly group lab session for artists, and the Residency Coordinator will meet with artists individually on a weekly basis. These sessions will provide support, technical assistance, and facilitate networking opportunities. Further mentorship assistance will be available to support residents in refining professional skills such as grant writing, artist statements, exhibition planning and artist talks.

Opportunities

The residency will culminate in an exhibition of the artist’s work, a public artist talk or in the production of a catalogue or photo book. Residents may also be invited to participate in SPAO’s instructional courses and programs. Participation may take the form of a guest lecture, contribution to photography critiques, or consultation with students, as is appropriate to the resident's interests and objectives. SPAO invites each participant to donate a single artwork to our archive at the completion of their residency.

Research Resources

A wide range of Ottawa-based institutions offer rich photography collections and research resources, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Photography, Library and Archives Canada, the City of Ottawa Archives and Art Collection, and the Canada Council Art Bank.

Eligibility and Selection

Candidates should have completed formal training in the field of photography, visual arts or equivalent. SPAO welcomes all visual backgrounds, motivations and styles.

A selection committee consisting of arts professionals will evaluate the applications. The committee will base its selection on the artistic quality of the applicant’s work, the potential impact of the residency on the applicant’s career, and the contribution to the Ottawa and Canadian arts communities.

Residency Fee: $5500

In addition to the residency fee, participants are responsible for all costs associated with their stay such as living expenses, materials and supplies, including but not limited to photographic chemistry, printing, paper and any specific facilities fees. Accommodations are not provided by SPAO.

Funding Opportunities

Applicants that demonstrate financial need are eligible for the Jason Michaels Memorial Bursary. For more information about this bursary, please email info@spao.ca. Past participants in the residency have successfully received funding from granting bodies to help facilitate their residency.

How to Apply

Complete information about the Residency is posted on the SPAO website: http://spao.ca/residency/ After completing the Artist-in-Residence form on the SPAO website, applicants are asked to submit supporting documents and images via email to info@spao.ca. The deadline for the next residency is December 7, 2018; however, space is extremely limited and we encourage early applications.

For more information visit www.spao.ca, email info@spao.ca, or call 613-562-3824.