VAM's Creative Residency 2025-2026 Application Form

VAM's Creative Residency (VCR) Application Form
Residency Overview

VAM invites Mississauga emerging artists (18-29 years of age) to apply for VAM's Creative Residency Program. VAM's Creative Residency (VCR) is an opportunity for emerging youth artists in Mississauga to participate in an 8-month production, exhibition and mentorship program with a focus on collaboration, education and professional development. 5 Residents will be invited to access VAM's studios to develop their skills in exhibition, education and engagement. This program will invite established arts industry mentors to provide a network and constructive feedback on the residents' artistic practices and goals.
Visual Arts Mississauga gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the 2025-2026 Hazel McCallion Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund at the Mississauga Foundation, a registered charitable public foundation serving the people of Mississauga.
Program Timeline

Important Program Dates	Date

Application Deadline	July 9, 2025 at 11:59pm
Applicant Interviews	July 14 - July 16, 2025
Applicants Notified of Application Status	July 18, 2025
Program Start	July 21, 2025
Studio Space and Scheduled Meetings	July 25, 2025 - May 2026
Youth Exhibition (Juried by Residents)	February - March 2026
VCR Resident Workshops	April - May 2026
Final VCR Exhibition	May 2026

Resident Benefits and Fees

Benefits

8 months of consecutive studio access
Mentorship and professional development opportunities
Exhibition and curatorial opportunities
Promotion through VAM's marketing initiatives
Paid teaching opportunity

Fees Paid to Artists

VAM's Creative Residency offers 5 residents a production fee and resident honorarium for their final exhibition and participation in the residency. Fees will be distributed in two installments, one at the start of the residency and one upon completion of the final exhibition.

Fee Paid to Artist	Amount
Production Fee	$525.00
Resident Honorarium	$541.00
Teaching Rate for Workshops	$35.00/hour

Conditions of Entry
- Artists 18-29 years of age may apply for consideration
- Artists must be attending classes with an academic institution located in Mississauga or the artist must be residing in Mississauga for the duration of the program August 2025 - May 2026
- Artists must be available on Fridays from August 2025-May 2026. Artists may be required to meet or attend events throughout the week in addition to designated Fridays.
- Artists may work in traditional media (drawing, painting, etc.,) or new media
- AI Generated Art will NOT be accepted
- All work submitted for consideration must be original and recent (2021-present)
- In addition to completing the VCR Application Form questions, Artists must submit 5 -10 images of work representative of their practice.
- Selected Artists must attend an interview (virtual or in-person) with Visual Arts Mississauga's Exhibition Coordinator and/or Program Coordinator
Residency submissions are selected by a jury consisting of:
- A member of VAM's Exhibition Department
- A member of VAM's Programming Department
Artist Information
Name: *
Pronouns*
Age at the time of application*
Address:*
Email: *
Phone: *
Website:
Instagram:
Other:
Tell us about your artistic practice. Please feel free to use the following questions as a framework: What kind of work do you make? What medium do you work in? What themes are present in your work? Who or what inspires your practice? *
Please let us know what would make this residency more accessible for you if you are accepted. *
How did you hear about the Residency?*

InstagramFacebookVAM NewsletterVAM WebsiteFriendPast ResidentOther
If you completed or are currently attending a post secondary institution (University, College, etc.) in Mississauga, please list the institution below. List N/A if not applicable to you. *
Self-Identification Information

This portion of the form is optional.

Visual Arts Mississauga is committed to engaging and supporting diverse artists. Information collected from this form may be shared with jury members as part of the adjudication process. It will also be used for the purpose of collecting diversity and inclusivity metrics to improve future iterations of this program. Outside of these uses, self-identification information will be kept confidential.
Please select all statements that apply to you:

I identify as BlackI identify as a Person of ColourI identify as IndigenousI identify as a Deaf Person, Person with a Disability and/or a Person Living with Mental IllnessI identify as 2SLGBTQIAP
Program Information
VAM's Creative Residency offers emerging Mississauga artists the opportunity to:
- Use VAM's studio spaces, network, and staff to develop their creative practice in a supportive environment
- Collaborate with fellow peers on art, events and exhibitions
- Meet and learn from industry mentors including artists, curators and arts administrators through mentorship dinners, field trips, workshops and meetings
- Design and lead workshops for the public with the help of VAM's Programming Team
How would VAM's Creative Residency benefit your practice?*
I am most excited to (please check all that apply)*

Use VAM's studio facilities to produce artworkCollaborate with fellow residents on exhibitions and eventsShare my skills with and learn from fellow residentsMeet mentors from the arts and culture industryExhibit my work in MississaugaSell my artworkDevelop and teach workshops to the public with the help of VAM's programming teamExpand my creative networkOther
VAM's Creative Residency brings together 5 artists with diverse skills and experiences to collaborate on artistic production and exhibitions. What does collaboration mean to you? How do you envision collaboration during your time as a resident?*
VAM's Creative Residency consists of bi-weekly meetings (online or in-person) where residents will participate in group workshops, field trips, mentorship meetings and exhibition planning. These meetings will take place on Fridays from September 2024- May 2025, between the hours of 9am-5pm. Meetings can range from approximately 1 - 4 hours. Some additional dates may be added/removed in consultation with the residency cohort.
I understand that VCR meetings take place on Fridays through the 8-month residency term (September 2024-May 2025) and I will be available to attend.*

YesNoUnsure
Examples of Work
Please upload 5-10 images of your work or use the links below to submit a video. If videos are password protected, please provide the password following the link and/or in your slide list. Please label images 'First Name Last_Name_Title'*

*If your file exceeds the size limit, please use WeTransfer and send us a link. Alternatively, include a Vimeo/YouTube link to the video below.
Cancelof
Link to Video Work (3 video submissions maximum)
Please upload a slide list (1 PDF) to accompany your image and/or video submission. *

Cancelof
Please upload your CV if applicable

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Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I declare that the information provided in this application is true and correct and that the artwork presented in this application is my own work. I hereby make application to be a participant in VAM's Creative Residency and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined by Visual Arts Mississauga. By signing this application, I forever discharge Visual Arts Mississauga and the City of Mississauga from all manner of action, suits, damages, claims and demands of the undersigned's property while in possession, supervision or while on exhibit in VAM's Creative Residency. *

Clear
Notifications

Applications will be juried and applicants will be contacted for an interview from July 14 - July 16, 2025
Upon interviewing, successful applicants will be notified by July 18, 2025.
Need help with your application?

We strive to operate as a safe, barrier-free space. If you need help, have questions, or have any concerns about accessibility, we're happy to help!

Please send an email to exhibits@visualartsmississauga.com.
THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and share your work with us. We appreciate your interest in our program.
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VAM's Creative Residency (VCR) Application Form

Residency Overview

Program Timeline

Resident Benefits and Fees

Conditions of Entry

Artist Information

Program Information

Examples of Work