CVAG Next Door: Independent Creative Residency
During this time of travel restrictions and public health protocols related to Covid 19, CVAG has modified the residency program. Contact CVAG regarding current residency parameters.
The Comox Valley Art Gallery supports arts-based research and exploration of materials + process, activation, and concept development by making an artist residence and working spaces for independent self-directed residencies available. Artists are welcomed to engage with the community as they determine relevant to their research.
The CVAG Next Door Program is open to international artists and curators engaged in contemporary interdisciplinary art practice. The residency offers an opportunity to focus on creative research without distraction, demands or expectations of production or community engagement. Artists are welcomed to engage with the community as they determine relevant to their research. The gallery sees this as a way to support deep and sustained artistic practice.
Applicants are invited to apply for a minimum self-directed residency of 2 weeks to a maximum of 6 weeks. The residency is intended for one or two solo participants (applying together) or two collaborating participants (applying together). The partner/small families of a residency participant are welcomed to stay when one participant is using the residence.
CVAG Next Door is a contemporary two bedroom suite situated in the downtown core of the City of Courtenay in the Comox Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island. It is steps away from CVAG.
Courtenay (approximate population 25,000) is the urban and cultural hub of the larger community, the Comox Valley (approximate population 65,000). Libraries, museums, shopping and recreation/fitness facilities are within walking distance and public transit. Easy access exists to the many beaches along the Salish sea, the rivers and streams, lakes, forests and wilderness parklands with extensive hiking trails in the region. The climate is temperate rainforest.
Studio Information:
The residence has an open working space approximately 12 feet x 20 feet (22.3 square metres) within the residence. The ceilings are one and a half stories high and the living and working areas are well lit by natural light and pot lighting. The studio area is recessed from direct sunlight and window shades allow for natural light control.
The floor is natural finished cement – tarps are provided to cover them during making and materials exploration. Walls can hold lightly secured works in progress. Portable working tables with surfaces 6 feet x 2.5 feet are available for use. A utility sink is available at the gallery for cleaning brushes and palates.
Technical Information
Access to a gallery computer and printer can be made by arrangement.
Access is provided to the gallery’s tool shed for small hand tools and supplies.
A utility sink is available at the gallery for cleaning brushes, palates etc.
The Comox Valley Art Gallery has multi-purpose spaces that may be available for the participant directed community engagement activities. These opportunities would be arranged with the CVAG curators.
CVAG provides:
Access to CVAG tool shed for tools and materials
Multi-purpose spaces within CVAG as available for artist directed community engagement
CARFAC artist fees ($350.00 Canadian dollars) for half day public engagement – artist talk / workshop (This is co-ordinated with the residency participant and CVAG curators)
CVAG documentation materials of the residency
Promotion of the artist’s residency on CVAG website, enews and social media platforms
Community introductions that support artist research
Transportation between Comox airport and residence upon arrival and departure
Basic kitchen supplies
Artist provides:
$1000 CDN / 2 week period / to cover residence associated costs
Application guidelines:
See attached PDF for application instructions and timeline. There is no application fee.
CVAGNextDoor_ApplicationGuidelines
Information is also available on the TransArtists international residencies website.
With gratitude to Alun Macanulty for the documentation of CVAG NEXT DOOR, The Gallery programming, and the surrounding Comox Valley.