Artist in Residence in ARTicipate

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE IN ARTICIPATE

Timeline: August 2026 – August 2027

Compensation: $40,000 (+ HST, if applicable)

Format: Part-time, hybrid position

(remote + on-site at the Shenkman Arts Centre)

Application Deadline: June 30, 2026

Arts Ottawa is excited to launch a new initiative: the Artist-in-Residence in

ARTicipate (AIRA). This paid residency is designed for artists who want to help shape the future of arts funding. Embedded within the ARTicipate Endowment Fund, the residency supports artists in contributing directly to the evolution of the program and its impact on the community.

The ARTicipate Endowment Fund is a granting program that supports local artists and organizations through project grants designed to activate spaces within the Shenkman Arts Centre. Established in 2007, the ARTicipate Endowment Fund has been stewarded by Arts Ottawa since its inception.

As part of an ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and responsiveness to community needs, Arts Ottawa is undertaking a reimagining of both the grantprogram and the experience of participating artists. The Artist in Residence in ARTicipate role was developed to help lead and support this work.

This is not a traditional artist residency; it is a call for artists ready to co-design the future of arts funding, community engagement, and institutional change.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTICIPATE HERE

WHY AN AIRA? 

This new initiative builds on the model of our Artist-in-Residence in Government (AIRG) program, which has demonstrated the power of embedding artists into complex systems to spark innovation, dialogue, and equity-centered change. In contrast to AIRG, where artists often concluded their residency with a public presentation or exhibition of their work, the AIRA will not include a final presentation component. Instead, the AIRA will serve as a creative consultant, collaborating with Arts Ottawa, SAC Resident Arts Partners, and regional arts communities to reimagine how ARTicipate serves the public good. The insights and outcomes of this work are intended to inform and shape the ARTicipate program beyond the residency period. 

As ARTicipate evolves we are actively exploring how grant making can better support creation, presentation, community access, and sustainable arts ecosystems.  The Artist-in-Residence will bring a systems-thinking approach to the role, working alongside Arts Ottawa, Resident Arts Partners, and local community members to: 

• Rethink the granting process itself 

• Expand the scope and equity of community impact 

• Strengthen relationships across the SAC and the broader region 

• Help design the next iterations of ARTicipate funding streams and models 

As part of the preliminary work for the Artist in Residence in ARTicipate role, the document below summarizes feedback from past recipients and resident arts partners on initial thoughts about the role, along with current challenges and opportunities for improvement within the grant program. 

 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SUMMARY

WHO SHOULD APPLY 

We’re seeking a bilingual (English/French), Ottawa-based artist from any disciplinary background who is ready to engage deeply, think critically, and help shape the future of public arts support! Applicants are not required to have participated or received ARTicipate grants in the past. 

The ideal candidate is passionate about collaboration, creative problem-solving, and community resilience, and brings experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Community-engaged practice and research 

• Municipal or non-profit grant administration 

• Arts sector advocacy and relationship-building 

• Working within equity-focused and interdisciplinary teams 

The residency is about more than funding art; it’s about fostering creative approaches to transformation, accessibility, service, and meaningful community impact. If you are ready to challenge conventional systems and co-design a more responsive and equitable future for the ARTicipate Granting Program, and how arts funding is approached more broadly, we want to hear from you. 

HOW TO APPLY 
 

Please fill out the form below and provide the following information:


-Letter of intent (max. 500 words) including:  

• Prior experience relevant to this opportunity  

• A description of yourself and your practice  

• Why you are interested in this residency  

• Examples of past work relevant to this application  

• Initial thoughts, approaches, or ideas for responding to the themes and challenges identified through the preliminary consultation sessions  
 

  
  

-Professional CV  


-Three references (including phone number and email address)  CLICK HERE TO APPLY

FAQ 

What are the anticipated hours per week and overall time commitment?  
This is a part-time position (approximately 20 hours per week). The selected candidate will have flexibility in how they organize their schedule. While on-site presence at the Shenkman Arts Centre is expected to support the work, the role is largely deliverable-based, meaning time commitment may fluctuate from week to week depending on priorities and workload. 

How is the $40,000 provided through the residency intended to be used? 
The funding provided through this residency covers compensation for the selected candidate and costs associated with carrying out the residency, including any additional personnel, materials, equipment, and transportation costs to and from the Shenkman Arts Centre. 

 Since the residency is part-time (up to 20h/week) can artists balance the residency with other paid employment?  
 Yes  
 

Who is on the Selection Committee? How does it work?  
Applications will be assessed by ARTicipate Grant Program interest holders, including past recipients and resident arts partners, whose experience with the program will help guide the selection process. 

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact Alex Maltby at alex@artsottawa.ca for all questions and application inquiries.

This feedback process is focused on understanding:

• Where barriers exist in the current ARTicipate model

• What challenges applicants and recipients continue to face

• What kinds of support would make the biggest difference moving forward

  
  

Your input will directly inform the priorities, focus, and responsibilities of the Artist in Residence role.