Children's Illustrator in Residence 2023

Call for Children's Artist/Illustrator in Residence: Fall 2023

Overview

The Calgary Public Library invites applications for the paid position of Artist in Residence: Children’s Artist/ Illustrator at the Central Library in downtown Calgary, Alberta for the fall of 2023.  This residency recognizes the contribution of children’s artists to literature and to Calgary’s culture and seeks to introduce Library patrons, especially children and educators, to artists and art forms they may not otherwise experience while providing opportunities to meet artists, observe the artistic process and participate in artmaking. 

Description of the Position 

The Library seeks emerging or mid-career children’s artists/illustrators with an art practice in any medium and an affinity for people. This residency program is based in a glass-walled studio in a public space, which means, while the artist’s practice and privacy is to be respected whether in the studio or in the public space of the library, we do expect the artist to be comfortable and open to engaging with patrons. The artist is expected to display their work and process, as a way of animating the studio for visitors to look in and see when the artist is not present.  Experience working with communities, large groups and/or children and youth is an asset.

The children’s artist/ Illustrator residency runs for three months, September-November annually. The artist will be required to take part in an artist talk and, at minimum, two public workshops and/or school programs, all set in collaboration with the Library. Beginning September 5, 2023, the artist will hold open studio hours at The Central Library for a minimum 7.5 hours per week, culminating in a December exhibition. The 252 square foot Artist in Residence studio is available to the artist during opening hours to work on their own projects and the Library Goes to Kindergarten contract (see below).  

Remuneration 

The Artist in Residence honorarium is $50.00 per hour to a maximum of 100 hours per residency. This amount includes offsite preparation time and onsite program delivery time, and any other project expenses incurred by the applicant, except for materials specific to community engagement events. 

In addition to the residency, the artist awarded the contract will be commissioned to design the annual Library Goes to Kindergarten promotional item, during their residency (additional remuneration). 

Qualifications 

Artists may not apply as an individual and be part of an organization or collective applying in the same competition. 

If the applicant is an individual artist, the following eligibility criteria apply: 

• Must not be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program 
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Complete a Vulnerable Sector Check 
• Self-identify as a children’s artist and/or illustrator and is recognized as such by artists/illustrators working in the same artistic tradition  
• Actively practices their art

If the applicant is an organization or a collective, the following eligibility criteria apply: 

• A collective is defined as two or more artists working together under a group name, either on a single project (ad hoc) or on an ongoing basis. For collectives of two artists, both must not be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and be 18 years of age or older. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must not be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and 18 years of age or older. 

Additionally, the successful applicant must be willing to:

• Work collaboratively with Library staff and other residents, if applicable 
• In every case, the Library and the resident or a residency group's representative will sign a formal written contract which will detail the rights and responsibilities of each party
• Successfully meet the criteria of their residency under the budget, residency schedule (co-developed with Library) and timelines set out in their contract 
• Express desire to create artwork for and in the public realm 
• Engage and catalyze people and places  
• The artist should feel comfortable creating programming to contextualize their work and ideas in the Library for the public as necessary
• Be available for press events/media interviews, and be open to discussing their work with Library patrons when engaged (within reason) 
• Participate in Library-initiated projects, such as video interviews, for the Library’s archives 
• Artists are encouraged to make their creative process visible in the studio space, so that patrons can look in through the windows when the studio doors are closed
• Document and share their residency with the Library and the public (ie: blog, social media feed, written account, photographs etc.) 
• Provide a short bio (50 words or less), an artist photograph or organization logo in high resolution .jpg or .png format, suitable for print reproduction and a short description of the artist’s work (150 words or less). This information will also be used to create in-Library signage and to introduce the artist at community engagement events, as well as for additional publicity opportunities.  
• Provide a booklist for the Library’s website on a topic related to their artistic practice 
• Showcase their work, at the close of their residency. Visual or sound exhibitions may be displayed for a 1-month period. 
• Sit on the Selection Committee to choose the 2024 Children’s artist/illustrator in residence (Summer 2024) 

Applicants will be evaluated based on inclusion of the following: 

1. Artistic Practice narrative (500 words or fewer): 

• An explanation of what you want to investigate during the residency and a description of the form/s the work might take in the context of a final exhibition. Exhibitions may be 2D or 3D and can include digital components. Sound is limited. 
• Describe possible public programming, collaborations with the public and/or other methods of engaging the public, especially children or educators. Ideally this can be executed with low budget, limited materials, and minimal Library staff support. 

2. Describe how your artistic practice is particularly suited to the Calgary Public Library’s values of inclusion, curiosity, and/or collaboration, and is respectful and suitable for family audiences. 

3. Artist statement/bio (250 words or fewer) 

4. Resume or CV (PDF) with demonstrated experience in public engagement, ideally with children, and examples of collaborations, awards, publications, scholarships, education, work experience, exhibitions, or grants. 

5. List of possible technical needs (PDF) during the residency i.e.: projector and screen 

6. Website/Online Portfolio showcasing original examples of work in children’s art and/or illustration (target ages 4 – 12). The style of artwork can translate well to a Library Card and T-shirt format (not overly detailed, small, or too dark) OR 

7. If no website with online portfolio: Attach any combination of work samples to sufficiently support your proposal. If uploading files, please include artists last name in the file name. 

• Up to 5 jpeg images (no larger than 2MB each) 
• List of work (PDF) with title, medium and dimensions. There is room for 2-3 additional sentences if necessary. 

The successful candidate will be selected by a committee. All applicants will be notified once the committee has made its selection, generally in late summer or early fall. The successful candidate will be notified, but their name will not be announced until the residency has been secured. 

Please submit applications to:

Service Design: Artist in Residence Program 
Central Library, 800 3rd Street SE 
Calgary, AB T2G 2E7 

Or electronically to design@calgarylibrary.ca 

Application deadline: June 30, 2023