VANS in Residence is a 4 week artist in residence project that is hosted in different communities throughout Nova Scotia. We generally have one rural and one urban VANS in Residence per year. This work engages the participating artist and the community in exploring the artist’s practice and community based art. This program evolved out of VANS artist in the schools program, PAINTS (Professional Artists in The Schools). We partner with organizations and communities throughout Nova Scotia. The current partnership for spring 2026 is with Cape Breton Centre for Craft Design.
Visual Arts Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design enter into this partnership with a spirit of collaboration. Both partners will work to support and facilitate an artist residency that is a success for the artist, the community and both organizations.
Through PAINTS, artists from all over the province go into classroom settings (in person and virtually) to lead workshops, talks and collaborative processes with students. This program is fully subscribed and growing, and we continue to find ways to move forward in these complicated pandemic times. These projects bring the artists together with a community of children or youth for a brief and highly valuable moment. VANS in Residence builds on that, and allows for longer-term, more in-depth experiences.
In this 4 week residency, the artist will divide their working hours between their own practice (60%), and designing and implementing art education programming with children, youth and/or intergenerational groups through workshops, talks, open studios and creation processes (40%). There is also one-week of planning, to take place in advance of the residency.
The goal is to allow the artist’s own process and the community based ones to inform and support one another.
Special Opportunity: The selected artist is invited to participate in Craft Week June 1 – 7, 2026. Expenses will be covered for a stipend, as well as travel and accommodation if needed.
Artist Application Guidelines
Eligibility: VANS in Residence accepts applications from professional visual artists who live/work in NS and are members in good standing of VANS. All media will be considered. The artist must be willing and able to commit 30- 40 hours per week to the 4-week residency and the 1-week planning. The residency will take place over 4 consecutive weeks between March 1 – April 12, 2026. The prep week will take place at least 1 week in advance of the residency start date.
This VANS in Residence opportunity is designated for those who are caregivers. We are really pleased to have support from Balancing Act to allow us to provide extra support for artists who are caregivers to apply for and participate in this program. That support may include helping to pay for substitute caregivers, supplementing housing for the Residency to allow children or others needing care to be present, or other needs for your specific situation. The exact value and nature of the support will be determined in conversation with the selected artist.
Eligible projects: Residencies are available for research, development and production of ongoing or new bodies of work. The selected artist for this residency may create work.
The Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design has facilities that can be available to the artist. Follow this link for information on the studios. The artist is responsible for ensuring that they have any other specialized equipment necessary to their work.
Selection: The resident artist will be selected by a committee made up of VANS staff and representatives from CBCCD. Applicants will be notified of results by February 10, 2026.
Application deadline: Applications must be received by 5pm on February 4, 2026.
Applying
Artists must submit:
- Artist Statement (1 paragraph)
- Residency Outline including community engagement component (1-2 pages) This should include ideas for workshops and public engagement sessions, a basic timeline for the 4 weeks
- Artist Resume
- Documentation of Work (max 10 images)
- Artists who are not PAINTS artists, please provide a paragraph describing your experience facilitating work with groups in community (intergenerational and/or youth)
To submit, please use the form found here.
Fees: There is no application fee. You must be a member in good standing of Visual Arts Nova Scotia. If you need to join or renew your membership, click here.
Documentation of work requirements: Current work is requested. The nature of the work sample submitted should correspond to the nature of the work proposed during the residency. JPGs of work should be included with your emailed submission.
Location: VANS in Residence at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design will take place at 322 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Some work may also take place in area schools, libraries and community centres.
Artist Selection Criteria
The following are points of focus in the assessment of artists’ applications:
- Strength of the applicant’s artistic practice & professionalism.
- Level of experience and interest in working with youth and in community collaborations. This is especially important if you are not already a member of the PAINTS program.
- The articulation of the vision and goals for the residency, relating to both the artist’s own work and the community collaborations.
Questions? Please contact Andrea Ritchie paints@visualarts.ns.ca