City looks for artists-in-residence for summer
Fredericton seeks applications from creators to display works at garden, engage with public
The City of Fredericton is running its artists-in-residence program in a natural backdrop this summer, and it’s on the hunt for professional artists to participate.
The municipality issued a news release Wednesday, announcing that the submission process is now open for artists looking to participate in its eighth annual Artist-in-Residence program.
The initiative sees artists leave the confines of their studios to establish exhibits at the Fredericton Botanic Garden at Odell Park during the summer months and to connect with the members of the community about their work.
Artists would show some of their work there and would be encouraged to create new art in the outdoor space, the release said.
“The garden lends itself well to the creation of art and provides opportunities for art to be part of everyday life,” Linda Stephenson, executive director of the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association, said in the release.
The program will run from July 6 to Aug. 28, and residency periods last for two weeks apiece, from Mondays to Fridays.
“... Artists are provided with a weekly stipend of $500,” the release said.
“While artists are encouraged to explore and create in the gardens for as long as they are inspired, artists are required to be in residence and accessible to the public for four hours daily.”
Residencies are open to all artists working in any medium, though the city noted that preference will be afforded works that lend themselves to community engagement.
“In addition to providing an opportunity for creation, the residency program is designed for artists to engage with park and garden users,” it said.
“Artists are encouraged to be active on social media with brief daily updates on their residency, as well as occasional, in-depth activities such as demos, artist talks or workshops.”
The Old Potting Shed, found off the Cameron Court entrance to the garden, will serve as resident artists’ home base for the program, but they’ll be free to move about throughout the botanic garden for inspiration and creation.
Applications are open until March 27, and those interested can find submission guidelines on the city’s website here.
Applications can be submitted by email at culture@fredericton.ca.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.