Residency 1 (currently accepting applications from Canadian residents only)
Residency Period: October 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021
Application open: June 29 to July 31, 2020
The application deadline is July 31, 2020 at 5pm Pacific Standard Time

Residency 2 (not accepting applications until October 15, 2020)
Residency Period: February 15, 2021 to June 15, 2021
Application open: October 15 to November 15, 2020
This application deadline is November 15, 2020 at 5pm Pacific Standard Time

Currently we are under a state of emergency and if it is not lifted by October 1st, 2020, we will not be able to offer the residency.

Image Credit: Orlebar Point, Gabriola Island, BC. Photo: Phillip Vannini

Kasahara Gabriola Trust and the Gabriola Arts Council is seeking applications for the inaugural residency program from artists working in a wide range of disciplines. Residencies are four months in length and take place on Gabriola Island, BC, the Isle of the Arts. Gabriola Island is a Gulf Island located in the Salish Sea and is a 20 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo, BC on Vancouver Island.

Toshiko Kasahara came upon Gabriola Island almost by accident, acquiring the oceanfront property as repayment for a loan over 50 years ago. She and her husband dreamed of building on the property, but he died before they could realize it. Undaunted (at 80) Toshiko built the house on the beach.

Her love of the island was matched by her love of the arts. She was curious, passionate, fearless and determined – in almost everything she did.

“She wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted,” says Peter Baker, manager of the Kasahara Gabriola Trust and Toshiko’s neighbour on the island. “And no wasn’t her favorite answer.”

That translated into impromptu and insistent invitations to concerts, from guitar instrumentals at house concerts, to “bitch ass folk music” at the Haven.

“At the intermission of the Bitch Ass Folk Music, we asked if she wanted to go home early,” recalls Baker. “Her response was simply ‘oh no! I like loud noise music!’”

Throughout her life, Toshiko held a strong spirit of adventure. She loved everything the island had to offer – the ocean, the arts and the people. She loved to entertain and – more than anything to connect. The Kasahara Gabriola Trust that she left is a tremendous legacy to this singular, indomitable person who wanted the best for her island home and community.

Ocean facing side of the home

About the residency

The Kasahara Gabriola Trust Residency is accepting applications from artists at all stages of their career emerging artists (artists pursuing education within arts field) or established, practicing artist with a demonstrated body of work in a professional artistic environment. Artists within a variety of artistic disciplines will be accepted. The residency provides a live/workspace on an inspirational and intimate island setting, allowing artists the opportunity to imagine, create, experiment, develop new ideas, and ultimately a new body of work. The Kasahara Gabriola Trust Residency is a self-directed retreat, with opportunity for professional development, while giving the local community access to a diverse range of arts practices, theories and experiences.

Selected artists will reside in a beautiful 1700 square foot, 3 bedroom, ocean front home. The home does not have a formal studio space, but the extra bedroom or the front room are suitable areas for studio work. The grounds are large enough to erect a tent for outdoor work. A residency fee of $500 per month is required, and payable in advance of attending the residency.

At the end of the residency the artist is expected to present a gallery show, performance piece, reading, or appropriate sharing of the body of work completed during the residency, to the community. Gallery space/outdoor space/performance space will be provided, and all promotional activities will be provided by the Gabriola Arts Council.

Great room and kitchen

Expenses paid by the artists:
Travel
Short term moving costs
Food
Supplies
Housing (residency fee $500 per month)

What practical facilities does your residency offer?
Master bedroom with en suite
2 Private bedrooms
Additional full bath
Kitchen and living space
Internet
Free Exhibition or performance space at Gabriola Arts & Heritage Centre
Promotional Services
Networking

Application Criteria

Applications are welcome from Canadian artists working in a wide range of disciplines including visual art, film, literary arts, performance arts or music/sound.

Applicants should keep in mind the unique environment of Gabriola Island and familiarize themselves with the amenities and services available. Nanaimo is a 20 minute ferry ride away and has additional services, such as a fully stocked art store, large music store, galleries, etc.

As noted above the house is only suitable for two people.

How to Apply

Visit: artsgabriola.ca/kgt-artist-residency

Please complete the application elements as outlined below and submit the required documents/media via email to residency@artsgabriola.ca.

Applicants are asked to submit the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, email address and website
• A brief description of your art practice. (250 words or less)
• An artist’s statement including reference to what inspires you to create (500 words or less)
• What drew you to apply for a residency on Gabriola. (250 words or less)
• Intention/project proposal for the residency clearing describing the proposed outcome (500 words or less)
• Short biography (150 words or less)
• Detailed curriculum vitae (4 pages maximum)
• A reference letter from a professional in their field. The letter should outline why the applicant is suited for the residency.
• The name and contact details for two additional references. We also accept letters from arts professors who artists have completed a course with.

Where relevant 1-15 samples of work:

• Maximum 10 images (up to 5MB each) in JPEG format with relevant captions and sent via Dropbox
• Maximum 2 videos, sent as links or via Dropbox or links to video or film related submissions
• 3 samples of published writing (up to 10 pages total)

ALL documents and ALL samples of work must be clearly labelled with the applicant’s full name and will not be returned.

Selection Process

A jury of arts professionals, KGT Trustee and Gabriola Arts Council Board members will review all applications and one candidate will be selected and notified by August 17, 2020 for the first residency and December 15, 2020 for the second residency.

We will be unable to provide feedback on individual applications.

Facebook: facebook.com/gabriola.artscouncil
Instagram: @gabartscouncil