Program details

Residency applications limited to individuals

The house is a small, rustic cottage. While it has ample studio and workshop space, the house was built for one individual to inhabit. For this reason, only one person will be able to live and work at the Centre at any given time. Family and friends are welcome for day visits.

Eligible creative disciplines

It was McCarthy’s wish that her home be made available as a retreat for visual artists, musicians, writers, multimedia or installation artists, and other professional disciplines. Artists who work with heavy machinery, welding or other materials that could create fire are not eligible due to the house's limitations.

Professional artists

Applicants must be professional artists. A professional artist is defined as someone who: has developed skills through training and/or practice; is recognized by artists working in the same artistic tradition; has a history of public presentation or publication; or seeks payment for his/her work and actively practises his/her art. Short breaks in artistic work history are allowed.

Duration of residencies

The duration of each residency may range from one to three months. Specific time frames will be confirmed with the successful candidate prior to commencement of his/her residency.

Mentorship component

As part of the residency, artists are required to provide a mentorship opportunity to support the development of an emerging artist or artists. The mentorship opportunity should be suited to the mentor’s particular skillset and experience. It could include a workshop, lecture, critique, studio visit, coaching, etc.

As part of the application process, artists are asked to provide a mentorship plan that outlines the type of mentorship proposed, how the mentee(s) will be chosen, when/where the mentorship will occur and a few key learning outcomes. Following the mentorship, the artist will be asked to provide the Trust with a brief summary of the experience.

Frequency of application

An artist who has been awarded and has completed a residency at the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Centre at Fool’s Paradise is not eligible for a second residency.

Legal status

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, or have an application pending for permanent residency status.

Ineligibility

The following are ineligible to apply for residencies:

• groups, ensembles, collectives, co-applicants, producers, organizations
• students enrolled in any educational institution or any learning program on a full-time or part-time basis at the undergraduate level of study
• members of the advisory panel and their immediate families
• individuals under the age of 18
• staff and Board members of the Ontario Heritage Trust and their immediate families