Elbow Room Artist-in-Residence Program

Deadline: Applications must be delivered or postmarked on or before the first Friday in November.

Since 2011, the Elbow Room Artist-in-Residence Program has offered emerging artists from Newfoundland and Labrador a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons and explore new creative directions. By providing a dedicated space to refine their practice, the residency serves as a catalyst for career advancement.

Over a three-month period, selected artists gain exclusive access to a studio space at The Rooms, where they work closely with an in-house curator and professional staff. This collaboration provides invaluable guidance and expertise, nurturing the artists and enabling them to develop their projects fully. Each residency culminates in a public exhibition at The Rooms, an artist talk, and a small publication. Artists receive an exhibition fee and a modest production budget.

The Elbow Room resident is selected each year by the art gallery's curatorial staff based on the following criteria:

Quality of the applicant’s work, as indicated by the material (written/visual) submitted for review.
Peer recognition of their artistic practice through a record of exhibitions and critical reviews.
Evidence that the applicant is at a stage in their professional development which will be advanced by the residency.
Proposed project that connects to the art gallery’s exhibition and programming goals.

Eligibility

Open to professional artists residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Artists must have basic professional training or an equivalent combination of exhibition and critical review, and must be able to demonstrate at least 3 years of professional commitment to making visual art.
Current students are not eligible for this program.
Artists must be available to work in the studio a minimum of 8 hours per week, during opening hours.

Application Checklist

Current CV
Artist statement
10-15 image/video files of current artwork: 300 DPI, jpg for images; on USB datastick or through our digital portal
Description of work proposed for creation during the residency, including a production budget for up to $1000 of materials. Note that only non-volatile artist materials may be used in the studio (ex: no solvents)

The Rooms strives to recognize and undo structural inequities, to be inclusive, and to support diversity in programming. We welcome and encourage applications from artists who may come from communities that are historically on the margins or are traditionally underrepresented in cultural institutions.

Send your application, by the deadline, to:

Mailing Address:
The Rooms
Art Gallery, Museums and Visitor Experience
Re: Elbow Room
P.O. Box 1800, Station C
St. John's, NL A1C 5P9

Courier Address:
The Rooms
Art Gallery, Museums and Visitor Experience
Re: Elbow Room
9 Bonaventure Avenue
St. John's, NL A1C 3Y9

Online Applications:
Ask for a link to our digital portal by emailing: artgallery@therooms.ca

IMPORTANT NOTE: For online applications, please email us with your request a minimum of four days prior to the deadline to ensure you receive your link on time. Applications sent by fax will not be accepted.

We are here to help. For further information on the program, your submission or the online application process please call: 709-757-8040 or email artgallery@therooms.ca

Image Credit:
Installation view of “Melissa Tremblett: Reprise,” created as part of the Elbow Room Residency Series (2020)

Recent Residencies