Organizer Information
James Black Gallery (JBG) is an artist-run contemporary art space in Vancouver, British Columbia, that supports emerging artists through exhibitions, residencies, programming, and community-oriented initiatives. Its Seedlings Emerging Arts Residency is designed to reduce barriers to participation in the arts by providing emerging artists with access to space, materials, mentorship, peer exchange, and administrative support. The 2026 residency is supported by the City of Vancouver and BC Arts Council.
Title & Description
Seedlings Emerging Arts Residency 2026 is a two-month group residency for emerging artists working across disciplines. The program provides artists with gallery space and materials to develop new work or continue projects already in progress. Rather than requiring a finished artwork, Seedlings emphasizes slow, intentional artistic development, experimentation, peer exchange, and community building.
Artists will have opportunities to participate in skill-sharing workshops, receive one-on-one mentorship, and engage in facilitated critique with established artists and curators. Depending on the needs and interests of the participating artists, JBG may also facilitate workshops, community-engagement activities, collaborative projects, or a group work-in-progress showcase. Artists will have an opportunity for public programming and/or exhibition, with the possibility of future collaboration with James Black Gallery programming.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Performance
- Installation
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Video / Film
- New Media
- Textile Art
- Other artistic disciplines
Eligibility
The residency is open to self-identified emerging artists based in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
Applicants should have devoted at least two years to their artistic practice on a semi-regular basis. Formal education, professional training, exhibition history, and age are not required.
The program specifically prioritizes artists who experience barriers to accessing arts institutions, including:
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) artists
- Queer, Trans, and LGBTQ2S+ artists
- Neurodivergent artists
- Disabled and Mad community members
- Newcomer and immigrant artists
- Artists with precarious income
- Artists without previous or current access to arts institutions
There are no specified age restrictions, and artists at different stages of their lives and practices are encouraged to apply.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists will receive:
- Two-month drop-in access to gallery space.
- A two-week intensive period in December with 24/7 access.
- $450 honorarium.
- Access to materials and residency facilities.
- Skill-share workshops.
- One-on-one meetings with mentors.
- Facilitated critique and peer exchange.
- Potential workshops, community-engagement activities, or collaborative projects.
- An opportunity for public programming and/or a group work-in-progress showcase.
- Administrative support throughout the residency.
- Potential future collaboration with James Black Gallery programming.
The program expects to accommodate 4–6 artists, depending on the needs and practices of the selected participants.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Mentors announced: 3 October 2026
- Accommodation requests Deadline: 5 October 2026
- Application deadline: 10 October 2026
- Application results: 16 October 2026
- Residency begins: 1 November 2026
- Drop-in period: November–December 2026
- December intensive: Date to be announced
Location
James Black Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Additional Details
Seedlings is particularly focused on process rather than production. Artists are not expected to complete a finished artwork during the residency. The program is intended to give emerging artists time, space, resources, and professional support to develop their practices.
Applicants who are not selected may request feedback on their applications.
Artists requiring accommodations should contact JBG by October 5, 2026, so that an alternative application method can be arranged.
The residency is supported by the City of Vancouver and BC Arts Council.