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Call for Artist Residency: Library and Archives Canada + Archive/Counter-Archive

June 10, 2019

Call for Artist Residency: Library and Archives Canada + Archive/Counter-Archive Applications due July 5, 2019

A unique experience to engage with audiovisual archival materials.

Timeline: 3 months in Fall 2019 (Sept 15th – Dec 15th)
Location: Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa Ontario Canada
Support: $5,000

In collaboration with Library and Archives Canada (LAC), Archive/Counter-Archive invites applications for an Artist in Residence. The artist will be creating an artwork based on or inspired by audio-visual archives found at LAC that are rights free, in the public domain or for which LAC has the copyright to – activating, remediating, and engaging with audiovisual materials at LAC, to create a counter-archive. The final work could be a short media work (sound or moving-image) or could take the form of an installation or a mixed media performance.

We have defined counter-archives as political, ingenious, resistant, and community-based. They are embodied differently and have explicit intention to historicize differently, to disrupt conventional national narratives, and to write difference into public accounts. They seek to counter the hegemony of traditional archival institutions that have normally neglected or marginalized women, Indigenous Peoples, the LGBT2Q+ community, and immigrant communities.

We welcome applications from emerging or established Canadian artists with professional training or a history of public presentation of their work in a professional context (i.e., galleries, film/media festivals, etc.). We strongly encourage Indigenous, POC, and Queer artists to apply.

The artist residency is designed to give freedom and flexibility to the artist and their relationship to the archival materials. It includes research and contact with LAC archivists, access to scanning technologies, as well as $5,000 of financial support towards:

  • Artist fee ($1000.00, upon delivery of the project)
  • Materials & Subsistence ($4000.00, max subsistence $1,200.00)

Please note that this residency does not provide accommodation in Ottawa, but provides some funding for travel and subsistence.

At the conclusion of the residency, the artist is expected to participate in a public exhibition/event showcasing their residency work – their other work(s) outside of the residency may be included. This may take the form of an artist talk, a public workshop, a screening, etc.

To apply, please submit the following by July 5, 2019:

  • Up-to-date CV
  • Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words)*
  • Website or other social media with samples/links to your work

*A project proposal is not required at this stage of application. Artists must simply describe why they are interested in the residency and speak to how their body of work and past experience would make them a strong candidate to participate.

Send Questions & Applications to: admin@counterarchive.ca

About the Hosts:

Library and Archives Canada combines the holdings, services and staff of both the former National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada. As outlined in the Preamble to the Library and Archives of Canada Act, LAC’s mandate is as follows:

  • to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;
  • to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada as a free and democratic society;
  • to facilitate in Canada co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge;
  • to serve as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.

Archive/Counter-Archive is a Partnership project involving over 14 community archives and artist-run centers, as well as four Universities (York, Queen’s, Concordia, and Ryerson). Archive/Counter-Archive is dedicated to researching and remediating audiovisual archives created by women, Indigenous Peoples, the LGBTQ2+ community, and immigrant communities. Political, resistant, and community-based, counter-archives disrupt conventional narratives and enrich our histories.

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