Organizer Information
The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge (AAC) is a non-profit organization that has served as a leader in the southern Alberta arts community since 1958. The Council manages Casa, Lethbridge’s premier community arts center, which opened in 2013 as a 42,000-square-foot multidisciplinary facility. Casa was designed to be a hub for experimentation, incubation, and learning, catering to a multi-generational community of artists ranging from beginners to established professionals. Managed on behalf of the City of Lethbridge, the center is dedicated to providing high-quality cultural experiences and fostering a vibrant creative economy through its extensive gallery programs, educational workshops, and professional artist residencies.
Title & Description
Casa Artist Residency Program (AiR) 2026
The Casa Artist Residency provides a supportive, community-based atmosphere for artists across all disciplines to focus on their creative practice. Located in downtown Lethbridge, the program offers a concentrated environment for research, experimentation, and the development of new work. The residency is uniquely structured around community engagement; artists are invited to turn the center’s state-of-the-art studios into their personal workspaces while interacting with the public through skill-sharing and presentations. Whether you are a recent high school graduate seeking your first professional experience or an established artist looking for specialized facilities, Casa provides the space and technical guidance to help you reach your project goals.
Categories
The residency is open to Multiple Disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Ceramic (clay equipment and kilns), Printmaking (copper etching and relief), and Mixed Media.
- Fiber/Textile Art: Access to a dedicated textile studio with sewing machines and dye space.
- Performance: Rehearsal and performance space in the Community Room or Dance studio.
- Media Arts: Including Video/Film and digital projects.
Eligibility
- Career Stage: Open to artists at any stage of their career, including Emerging Artists, mid-career, and established professionals.
- National & International: While community-focused, the program welcomes local, national, and international applicants.
- Age: Includes recent high school graduates (typically 18+).
- Collaborations: Collaborative projects are accepted for teams of up to two artists.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Studio Access: Successful candidates receive free access to specialized studios (2D, 3D, Textile, Dance, or Community Room).
- Technical Support: Up to four hours of technical assistance is available, depending on the studio area.
- Exhibition & Publicity: Casa provides documentation of the residency and promotes the artist’s work through its marketing channels.
- Support Letters: While the residency is self-funded (artists must cover travel and lodging), Casa provides letters of support for those applying for external Grant funding or Fellowship opportunities.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Application Form: A completed official residency form.
- CV & Bio: Up-to-date professional history (max 500 words).
- Statement of Interest: A 100–300-word description of the proposed work and perspective.
- Engagement Proposal: A brief description (100–300 words) of a proposed Workshop, Artist Talk, or Open Studio event.
- Work Samples: 10–15 JPG images (max 1024x768 pixels) or 5 minutes of Video/Film.
- Format: All written documents must be submitted as a single PDF.
How to Apply?
Please submit your complete application package to: education@artslethbridge.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadlines: 15 January 2026
- January 15 Intake: Programmed for residencies between June and December of the current year.
- Notification: Results are emailed within one month of the deadline.
Location
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Additional Details
Residents are expected to be mostly self-sufficient in their chosen studio. Community engagement is a core component; all residents must facilitate at least two public activities (e.g., a demo or artist talk). Additionally, artists are requested to donate one piece of work created during their stay to support future community programming.