What is IISD-ELA’s Artist-in-Residence program?

APPLY HERE BY MARCH 24, 2025

 

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), the world’s freshwater laboratory, is very proud to announce its Artist-in Residence program.

 

You will meet the people of IISD-ELA (there are usually about 20-50 people at the site at any given time), go out on the lakes, take part in the science, get your hands dirty and experience the solitude and excitement of the world’s freshwater laboratory for yourself.

 

It will be the perfect spot for you to find inspiration and develop new pieces of art in a spot where natural beauty and science collide like nowhere else. You will benefit from a stimulating environment like no other, which will encourage exchange between artists and scientists, and certainly inspire you to produce new pieces that expand the potential of art to communicate science.

What can I expect?

As an IISD Experimental Lakes Area Artist in Residence, you will spend a week (Sunday to Friday) during the summer.

 

Three residences will run in 2025. One artist will be selected for each of the following dates: June 22-27, August 10-15, and September 21-26. Travel between Winnipeg (or Kenora) and the site, accommodation and food is included.

 

IISD-ELA will cover travel from Winnipeg or Kenora, Ontario, to the IISD-ELA facility on the weekly staff shuttle van, leaving on a Sunday and returning on a Friday. Accommodation and food will also be provided, as will access to canoes, hiking trails and all the natural beauty you can handle.

 

Art materials are the responsibility of the artist.

 

Once you have developed your pieces of art, we will work with you, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure the best way to present and promote your work, potentially in shows or presentations with other artists. One of your pieces will also be contributed to IISD-ELA’s own art collection hosted at the campsite.

 

Artists will be expected to present either one artist talk or workshop during their stay, which will be planned and delivered in collaboration with IISD-ELA’s education and relations team.

How does it work?

If wish to apply for the program please apply here by March 24, 2025.

 

If you have any questions about the program, or if you would like more information, please email nwood@iisd-ela.org

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Lake at IISD Experimental Lakes Area in Ontario