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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: NSCAD Community Studio Residency

APPLY HERE
DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2025

Located at 50 Queen St. in Dartmouth, NS; this year-long residency is hosted by the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning. This residency offers easy access to local schools and NSCAD Campuses. The 3rd floor studio loft is naturally lit, secure and allows 24hr access. There is some storage space available and access to a public space on the ground floor to display work. As a requirement for this residency, the participant must commit to approximately up to 32 hours of workshop/program delivery at the centre. For more information see the details below or contact Diana Brown at: diana@macpheecentre.ca. 

Residents are required to secure their own housing and must commit to being in residence from September to August of the following year.  

 

Who should apply:

You should apply if:

  • You are a recent NSCAD alumni or NSCAD student in your final year of study.
  • You would like to have access to a (shared) studio for your own practice.
  • You have an interest in community engagement, community development or social justice work.
  • You would like to increase your teaching skills or understanding of artistic residencies.
  • You are eager to share your work, skills and interests with diverse groups of people.
  • You should be able to get to the Dartmouth location easily and frequently.

Timeline and Offerings: 

Orientation (at the beginning of the residency) 

  • Introductions and run through of the MacPhee Centre (organization, building, studio space). Answer any questions that might arise. 

  • Important meeting to learn about residence art disciplines and goals for the year. 

  • Estimated Time: 1.5 hours 

 

Monthly check-ins 

  • Informal and as needed with the Executive Director of the MacPhee Centre. 

  • Artists are able to reach out at any time. 

 

Training offerings (free of charge to artists) 

  • Mental Health First Aid Training (16 hours and certificate provided) 

  • Grant writing and reference support with our Manager of Fund Development 

  • Other professional development opportunities as they arise (past examples Worldview Intelligence training, Unconscious Bias presentation) 

 

Art Shows 

  • With flexibility, we ask residence to have an opening & show (or whatever fits their art discipline) twice a year: Beginning and end of the residency. 

  • MacPhee Centre staff support wherever needed. 

 

Open Studio 

  • Residences are invited to have a few open studios throughout the year during MacPhee Centre open houses or other community events. Not expected but encouraged.  

 

Program Engagement 

MacPhee Centre Program Engagement 

  • Artists typically give between 16-32 hours of program delivery within the residence. 

  • Comfort level and capacity are always considered. 

  • Training, guidance and support throughout programming is provided.  

  • We have a history of hiring artists in residence after their residency for additional program delivery. 

 

Program and Youth Trainings 

  • Usually twice a year (September and January) 

  • Networking with other facilitators 

  • Estimated time for each training: 2 hours 

 

Being able to do the NSCAD Community Residency Program was a powerful experience for me in the transition from student to emerging artist. Maintaining an active studio practice as a new graduate can be so difficult, but I felt that the program provided me with both the time and the space to develop the skillset needed to do so. 

- Emily Lawrence, CSR Alumna 

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Posted May 30, 2025