2026 Artist in Residence application

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Program Goals

The 2026 residency includes a partnership with Abbotsford Libraries, FVRL to create new opportunities for the community to experience art, culture, and heritage at public venues and events. The goals of this community engagement focused residency are to:

  • Create accessible opportunities to experience art, culture, and heritage in the community that contribute to the residency theme of “Exploring Knowledge"
  • Provide participatory activities that promote exploring knowledge in its various form to residents and visitors of all ages
  • Provide free, fun, and accessible activities for the community to discover, experience, and participate in art, culture, and heritage

About Abbotsford Libraries, FVRL

Abbotsford has three FVRL locations including Clearbrook Library, Abbotsford Community Library, and Mount Lehman Library. FVRL is driven by a strong commitment to equity and access, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to read, learn, and play.

FVRL is British Columbia’s largest public library system, serving over 928,000 people across 25 branches in 15 member municipalities. The library offers access to nearly one million items in its floating collection and offers thousands of free in-person and virtual events throughout the year that inspire creativity, build skills, and promote critical thinking.

Schedule and Locations

The selected artist will provide 12 engagement sessions over the course of the residency, which encourages research, engagement, and presentation at partner venues, City facilities and events. Identified locations, programs and events for 2026 include:

Venues:

  • Clearbrook Library
  • Abbotsford Community Library
  • Mount Lehman Library
  • Abbotsford Recreation Centre
  • Matsqui Recreation Centre
  • Kariton Art Gallery (Mill Lake Park)

Programs and Events:

 

Supports Provided

  • Artist fee of $7,500
  • Marketing and promotion for community engagements
  • City facility booking for community engagements
  • Access to Abbotsford Libraries for programming (as schedule permits)
  • Access to Kariton Art Gallery for programming (as schedule permits)
  • Access to facilitation equipment (tables, chairs, tents, audio equipment, signage)

     

Artist Eligibility

  • May be an individual or collective working in media including, but not limited to: literary and language arts, storytelling, knowledge sharing, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fashion, craft, installation, performance, sound, music, new media, dance, and theatre      
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must be able to provide 12 community engagement sessions between May - October
  • Must have a relationship to Abbotsford (live past or present, study, work, or play)– Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Based artists will be prioritized
  • Must uphold the City of Abbotsford Strategic Plan values of respect, integrity, openness, collaboration, and inclusivity
  • Successful applicant will be required to provide a Police Information Check including a Vulnerable Sector Screening. The results of the check must be acceptable to the City of Abbotsford at its sole discretion 
  • Successful applicant will be required to provide insurance listing City of Abbotsford, Abbotsford School District #34, and Fraser Valley Regional Libraries as additional insured 

Artist Fee

The successful artists will be paid $7,500 to cover project development, materials, artist fees, and the delivery of community engagement sessions during the program.  Costs associated with the Police Information Check and Insurance are reimbursed separately by the City.

Application

Introduce yourself, your experience, and your relationship with Abbotsford, libraries, and knowledge sharing. (Maximum 250 words)

 

Explain how your project addresses the program theme of “Exploring Knowledge” and what forms of community engagement and programing you would provide. (Maximum 250 words).

Budget
Outline how you intend to use the $7,500 artist fee. Include items and associated costs. Your budget should total $7,500. Only complete budget lines if they are relevant to your project.

Artist fees, contractors, staff and honorariums (eg: artist fees (see CARFAC), photographer, engagement support, presenters, etc.):

Supplies and materials (eg: paint, paper, art supplies, engagement equipment, etc.):

Provide: (1) A high-level timeline noting research, planning, preparation, and delivery of community engagements. (2) Include preferred locations for these activities. 

The final schedule will be developed in collaboration between the Artist, Abbotsford Libraries and the City. Flexibility and adaptiveness will be considered in the selection process. (Maximum 250 words)

Availability
Share your general availability and unavailability (days, times, weeks) between May and October, 2026. (Maximum 250 words)

One file only.
64 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf, doc.

alternatively, you can add a html link

Maximum 5 files.
64 MB limit.
Allowed types: , jpg, pdf, doc, .
Terms of service

By submitting this form, you agree to the terms of this contract and the following:

  • You represent and warrant that you are the creator of the work submitted and that you have the copyright to the artwork
  • If selected, you agree to grant the City of Abbotsford the right to use the artwork photographs for promotional and/or documentation purposes of the event/exhibition
  • If selected, you agree to have your artwork reproduced on the City of Abbotsford's website and other media for publicity purposes
  • If selected, the Artist(s) shall sign a legal contract with the City of Abbotsford

You understand that submissions received without all of the items required and without will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the panel