Overview
Visual Arts Residency – Kapishkum: Métis Gathering is a five-week program designed for Métis visual artists, creative makers, and curators.
In Michif, kapishkum means “to transcend”, and this residency comes at a pivotal point. As Indigenous creative production from Northern Turtle Island increasingly attracts local, national, and global interest, individual Métis artists remain underrepresented and contemporary Métis culture is little known. More importantly, Métis, while in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples, are looking to bolster Métis-specific art, creative forms, methodologies, and unique ways of being, knowing, and doing.
Participants will join celebrated Métis faculty mentors to produce a nurturing, collaborative, critical, and productive environment. In addition to access to world-class facilities and technical support, participants can build community with their artistic peers within the spectacular natural landscape of Banff National Park, Minihrpa, Treaty 7 territory.
Description
This residency fosters the exchange of ideas and knowledge among artists, encouraging them to produce work that embodies the diverse and complex nature of Métis culture while addressing contemporary Métis-specific issues.
Participants in this residency will be supported with:
- lectures.
- workshops.
- feedback from celebrated faculty members Jason Baerg, Daphne Boyer, Liz Barron, and David Garneau, who will be available for both group and one-on-one consultations.
Artists are provided with a studio, as well as targeted access to our extensive facilities. This includes:
- access to personal studio spaces equipped for creative work, available 24/7, providing a dedicated environment for artistic expression.
- targeted access to shared production facilities and knowledgeable staff who are available to provide technical assistance and support.
Requirements
The program is designed to cater to Métis artists at all stages of their careers who have completed formal training in fine arts at the post-secondary level or who have equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices, including:
- multi-generational artists.
- visual artists.
- curators.
- arts professionals.
- creative makers.
- collaborative groups of no more than two.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:
- working on a specific project.
- creating new works.
- exploring and researching innovative ideas.
This program is designed for participation over the entire program period. Variable dates will not be considered.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
- Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
- If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome Métis applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
