WEDGE RESIDENCY

CAG and Ground Floor have teamed up again to offer WEDGE RESIDENCY for a second year, with this year’s program set to take place over summer and fall 2022. This year’s residencies will provide early-emerging artists and cultural practitioners with the opportunity to work directly with a mentor to explore a research question related to the past, present and or future of “Vancouver.”

CAG and Ground Floor operate as uninvited guests on the ancestral and sacred lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, lands which were never ceded or surrendered.

On the occasion of CAG’s 50th anniversary, the gallery will launch later this year a series of programs that explore the social and cultural histories that have shaped “Vancouver” over the past five decades (and beyond), inviting local artists, cultural workers, civic leaders, and other thinkers to reflect on the moments, movements, art, and actors that have impacted the city’s history, development and future in ways large and small.

As part of this initiative, CAG and Ground Floor are inviting applications for self-directed residencies from early-emerging artists and cultural practitioners who are interested in exploring a research question that touches on the artistic, social or cultural history (or future) of “Vancouver” through intergenerational dialogue and exchange.

These residencies will provide participants with a stipend, support to develop their practice, and mentorship from an established artist or cultural practitioner to explore their specific research question in depth. This is an opportunity for residents to expand their connections to a wider local arts community; gain insight into the framework of both an established institution and a DIY art collective; work one-on-one with a mentor to further their research interests; and share some of their findings publicly.

Along with those who identify as artists, CAG and Ground Floor welcome those who work in curating, writing, new media, and other cultural or community-based practices to apply to this residency. An early-emerging artist or practitioner is broadly defined by Ground Floor as someone of any age with minimal experience or access to opportunities within arts institutions, who demonstrate a commitment to their practice and a desire to engage with a larger community.

Who should apply

• Those who self-identify as early-emerging artists or cultural practitioners. This may include post-secondary students and recent graduates, self-taught artists and artists newly revisiting their practice.
• Those with an interest in exploring the history, development or future of “Vancouver,” artistically, socially or otherwise.
• Those with a desire for mentorship and intergenerational dialogue and exchange, ideally with a specific mentor (or mentors) in mind.
• Those with a desire to further their involvement in a greater community context.

We welcome applications from those over the age of 18 currently living in the Lower Mainland. Both individuals and collectives are welcome to apply.

Residency details

Successful applicants will be awarded residencies of eight to ten weeks from mid-summer to mid-fall 2022. Residents will be scheduled for bi-weekly meetings throughout their residency with CAG, Ground Floor and/or their mentor. This is a remote residency and does not offer physical studio space.

Residencies include:

• A $2,000 stipend
• Mentorship from an established artist or practitioner
• Studio visits from guest artists and/or curators
• Studio visits with the Ground Floor team
• Studio visits and research support from CAG’s curatorial team
• Access to CAG’s library and archives

All residents will also work with CAG, Ground Floor and their mentor to develop a public-facing output that shares some of their research, ideally in long-form audio. These outputs will be produced in mid-fall 2022, following the conclusion of the residency, with full production support from CAG.

Information session

CAG and Ground Floor will hold an information session for interested applicants on Sunday May 29, 2022 at 2 pm PDT. For more details and to register, click here.

How to apply

The application form can be downloaded here. We invite applications in various formats, including written, audio, and video submissions.

Application deadline: Sunday, June 12, 2022, 11:59 pm PDT.

Support in the application process is available. Please contact wedge@cagvancouver.org or 604.681.2700 for more information.

About Ground Floor

Ground Floor supports early emerging artists by providing accessible opportunities that further the development of artists’ practices. Ground Floor is a reaction to the need for community strengthening, network development and programming opportunities for artists in the early stage of their careers. Based on the values of care, hospitality and a positive approach to failure, Ground Floor emphasizes experimentation of work and the cross-pollination of disciplines. Ground Floor is a collective comprised of Asia Jong, Jack Kenna and India Eliot Oates.