KOAC Artist in Residence Application

Residency Sessions:

First Session (Winter / Spring)
Residency period: December 1 – May 30
Application deadline: October 31
Successful applicants notified: Mid-November

Second Session (Summer / Fall)
Residency period: June 1 – November 30
Application deadline: March 31
Successful applicants notified: End of April 

Please note: Only successful applicants will be contacted. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to apply again in future calls.

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About the Artist in Residence Program

The Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (KOAC) was established in 2007 by artists Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe, who envisioned transforming their land and studios into a legacy art centre and sculpture park. Today, KOAC operates as a charitable organization dedicated to expanding artist programming and public engagement with contemporary art.

The KOAC Artist in Residence (AiR) program officially began in 2020, welcoming artists working across disciplines who seek focused time for creative exploration within a natural setting.

Inspired by her own experiences with residencies, Katie Ohe recognized the importance of “concentrated space and time to resolve artistic ideas in a creative environment.” The residency supports artists in pursuing research, experimentation, reflection, and creative production while immersed in nature.

 

Land Acknowledgment:

The Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre and Sculpture Park is situated on prairie hay fields, aspen forest, and underground waterways within Treaty 7 territory. This presence carries respect, humility, and an ongoing responsibility to care for the land.

KOAC acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani), the îyârhe Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District, while recognizing that many other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit have longstanding relationships with these lands.

As a site devoted to research, residence, and retreat, KOAC understands that creative work unfolds within this broader continuum of stewardship and remains committed to learning from and honouring those who have cared for this territory across time.

 

Program Objectives

The KOAC Artist in Residence Program recognizes that space, time, and financial resources are often barriers to artistic development.

Located near Calgary with views of the Rocky Mountains, the residency supports artists in advancing their practice by providing dedicated studio space for research, exploration, and creation.

The program emphasizes process-based artistic inquiry, allowing artists to develop work that might not otherwise be realized. Artists may create, research, experiment, and document new work while engaging with KOAC’s creative community.

Applicants are required to propose one public engagement activity as part of their residency.

 

What to Expect:

KOAC’s residency provides artists access to studio space within our 20-acre sculpture park and art centre.

Residencies typically last 4–8 weeks, with scheduling determined collaboratively between KOAC and the selected artist. While requested timelines will be considered, final dates are subject to availability.

Resident Artists are supported in sharing their work with the public and engaging with the local community through one (1) artist talk, workshop, or other public event, as well as in connecting with KOAC’s longstanding community of art supporters.

 

What KOAC Provides
• A clean, semi-private studio space (approximately 200 sq ft) - KOAC contractors or scheduled tours may pop in to the studio from time to time.
• Access to an outdoor serviced washroom facility
• KOAC will provide letters of support for artists who have been selected to participate in the Artist-in-Residence program. These letters may be used by resident artists when applying for grants to support travel, accommodation, materials, or other project-related costs associated with their residency.
• CARFAC-aligned honorarium for one (1) artist talk, presentation, Open Studio Q&A, or workshop connected to the residency.

Please note:
The residency does not include financial support, living accommodations, transportation, or materials. These costs must be covered by the artist.

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Resident Artist Expectations

Active Research and Development
Artists will undertake self-directed research and creative work during their residency. The studios support painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, collage, performance, and other visual art practices, including socially or land-based work.

Residencies are largely artist-directed, allowing participants to shape their own process and outcomes.

Creation and Documentation
Artists are not required to complete finished works during the residency. However, works developed during the residency may be shared publicly and should acknowledge KOAC’s residency program in future publications or exhibitions.

Artwork or materials cannot be stored at KOAC after the residency.

Public Engagement
Artists must present one public activation, such as:

• Artist talk
• Open studio Q&A
• Workshop

This provides an opportunity to share work in progress, discuss research, and engage with audiences through dialogue and feedback.

 

Who Should Apply

• The KOAC art residency program is open to visual artists of all disciplines and stages of their career who permanently reside in Canada. Institutional post-secondary education, such as Bachelor of Fine Arts, is not a requirement. 
• All individuals with a creative practice focused on visual art, demonstrating the need for studio space, who are seeking opportunities to share their work publicly are eligible.
• Artists whose projects do not require dedicated ventilation (i.e. painting, drawing, some craft work like textiles, sculpture, limited woodworking, photography, video, new media, etc.). All mediums will be considered.
• We welcome and strongly encourage applications from artists who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, LGBTQIA2S+, or who come from other equity-deserving or underrepresented communities. Our goal is to create a space that reflects diversity—of people, perspectives, and artistic practices—by welcoming artists with varied backgrounds, experiences, and creative approaches.

 

Environmental Considerations
KOAC operates within a natural ecosystem and has limited garbage and recycling services.

Artists are asked to plan their material usage responsibly and ensure that all waste brought onto the site is removed at the end of the residency.

 

Site Considerations
• Free parking available
• Facilities are not fully wheelchair accessible; access involves gravel pathways
• Outdoor heated porta-potty washroom available
• No kitchen facilities (microwave and kettle available)
• Artists must bring their own potable drinking water
• Sink access is available by appointment only but artists are recommended to bring a jug of water for washing brushes or other water needs.
• Studios do not support toxic materials or heavy ventilation needs

The residency is located in Springbank, which is not easily accessible via public transit from Calgary.

Artists should also note:

• Staff and contractors may be working onsite
• Residency hours are 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM for safety
• There is limited on-site security. Staff presence is at variable times and may not always be accessible during your work day.
• Lighting on surrounding roadways is minimal at night
• This is a co-working space with other artists and staff. Artists in Residence must respect private areas and must request appointments with staff to enter other buildings or onsite staff work spaces.
 

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in applying to our Artist in Residence program. Please fill in the following information and upload all required documents, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We thank all those who apply, but as we have a limited number of spaces each year, not everyone who applies is guaranteed a spot. 

Our selection criteria requires us to ensure that the artist selected has a methodology and work process that aligns with our Mission, Vision and Values. Applications are open year round. Applicants are shortlisted and chosen by an adjudication committee.

*ONLY SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*

 

Privacy and Data Use Statement

Information collected through this form is used solely for the purpose of reviewing and selecting artists for this program/exhibition. Your submission will be accessible only to the organizing team and/or selection committee.

All data is collected and stored securely through Jotform, in accordance with their Privacy Policy. We will not share your personal information with third parties without your consent.

Any demographic information you choose to share is optional and used only to help us ensure equity and representation in our programming.

If you have questions about how your information will be used or wish to withdraw your submission, please contact us at communications@koartscentre.org

 

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND WHEN FILLING IN YOUR APPLICATION

KOAC Artist in Residence program’s vision is to provide space and inspiration to artists and whose work aligns with our mission and vision and is a welcoming space to all who respects the land that we are lucky to be stewards of.

Vision
To become Canada's premiere community arts centre and sculpture park that inspires and cultivates future generations of contemporary artists by providing opportunities to experience and create art in nature.

Mission
To continue Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe's legacy of inspiring, educating, and enriching the community by offering arts education and artistic residency, collecting, preserving and showcasing Canadian and international contemporary art, and welcoming visitors to be inspired to create in a protected natural environment.

Values

• Legacy – We continue Harry and Katie’s legacy in our work and our decision making
• Art Accessibility – we champion art and artists and provide opportunities for affordable public access to contemporary art and art education.
• Community – We are a core contributor to the cultural and economic well-being of our region. As a gathering place with many offerings, we are committed to building a sense of community responding to all ages and demographics.
• Land Stewardship - We acknowledge and respect the land on which we operate, situated on the ancestral Indigenous lands of many nations over millennia including honouring and acknowledging Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta. We are committed to working with Indigenous peoples to create sustainable land-based programming and working in harmony and balance with the natural world.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to maintaining full access to programs, and grounds, ensuring both the principles and advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, for our team members, volunteers, and artists.

We appreciate the time, care, and creativity it takes to share your work with us.
Each application is reviewed thoughtfully by our team, and we value the unique perspectives that artists bring to our community.

Please note that only selected applicants will be contacted, as staff capacity is limited and we are unable to provide individual feedback on submissions. We are grateful for your understanding and for contributing your voice to this process.

 

For any inquiries or clarifications regarding this application, please contact KOAC at communications@koartscentre.org

 

Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (KOAC)
244034 Horizon View Rd
Calgary, AB T3Z 3M5
koartscentre.org