Call for applications - Artist Studio Program

Applications are now closed for 2024/25.

About the Artist Studio Program

The Artist Studio Program is a unique venture that assists local and regional established and emerging artists within 150 km of Ottawa to access studio space in city buildings. This studio program is intended to foster professional development in the arts and expose the public to visual art through studio visits, exhibitions, and events. 

There are two types of Artist Studio Program studios:

• Long-term studios – Total of seventeen studios, each with three-year studio term agreements; rental and liability insurance fees are required.
• Short-term studios – Total of three studios available annually, each with one-year studio term agreements; rental and liability insurance fees are required. 

Participating artist studios

Gamman House

• 306 Cyr Avenue, Vanier 
• Floor plan [PDF - 423 kb]

Gardener's House

• 104 Greenview Avenue, Britannia Beach
• Floor plan [PDF - 238 kb]

Stafford Studios

• 35 Stafford Road, Bells Corners
• Floor plan [PDF - 208 kb]

Short-term and long-term studio rental rates

• Studio rental fees (13% HST included).
• $11.11 per square foot annual rate plus insurance (2024 rate).
• Fees increase up to 2.5% annually.

Long-term studios

• Monthly rental for a 3-year term.
• Applicants are eligible to apply for two consecutive 3-year terms. 
• Individual (not shared) studios are available to emerging or established artists.

Short-term studios

• Monthly rental for a 1-year term.
• Individual (not shared) studios are available to emerging or established artists.

The Artist Studio Program includes:

• the use of a studio,
• one group or solo exhibition per year in the ASP Gallery,
• participation in the annual open studios,
• access to public parking.

Studio artists:

• must provide their own materials and supplies,
• must uphold City of Ottawa smoke free regulations, 
• may not use the studio as housing or accommodation, 
• may not use the studio as a classroom for private lessons, 
• may not use toxic art materials in their studio.

This call for application is open to emerging and established artists working in all media.

• City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must reside within a 150 km radius of Ottawa.
• Applicants who have participated in the Artist Studio Program for two consecutive terms (six years) are not eligible to apply for a period of three years.
• Only one proposal per applicant will be considered and the first application received by the Artist Studio Program will be the one that is considered.  

The City of Ottawa reserves the right to deny any application or rescind any decision at any time (e.g., works or acts containing themes of violence, profanity, and hate, or encouragement thereof). 

The City of Ottawa encourages applications from individuals with lived experience and identity as a member of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and other equity-deserving groups. Applications from Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists are welcome and encouraged. The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

To qualify for long-term or short-term Artist Studio Program Studios, the Artist must be:

• an emerging or established artist living within 150 km of Ottawa;

and must demonstrate:

• a record of study or exhibition in the visual arts field  
• an ability to work co-operatively with other studio residents and City staff  
• a responsibility for clean, efficient, safe, and healthy studio operation 
• an ability to work in a communal studio occasionally in view of the public 
• self-motivation / initiative 

Peer assessment committee members first review eligible applications individually then meet to review them together. The composition of each committee aims to balance representation of artistic specialization, practice, style, and approach to art-making, as well as fair representation of official languages, gender, geographic areas and culture-specific communities. Peer assessment committee members are chosen based on their knowledge and experience, fair and objective opinions, ability to articulate ideas, and ability to work in a team environment. Members of the committee change with every competition. City employees are responsible for the selection of peer assessment committee members. If you are interested in participating as a peer assessment committee member, please email cgc@ottawa.ca.

Insurance

The artist is required to purchase liability insurance at the time of signing a studio rental agreement or show proof of liability insurance ($2 million). Insurance may be purchased from the City. The City assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to any of the artist’s property. 

Artist Studio Program agreements

• Artists selected for studio rental terms will receive an Artist Studio Program Agreement for signature. 
• The artist may sell their work during their studio term.  The artist is responsible for the sales transaction, the pickup and/or delivery of any artwork sold. 
• During the exhibition term, all pieces of artwork are to remain on exhibition for the duration of the event. 
• If artwork is sold during an ASP Gallery exhibition or during annual open house event, the artist will pay a 15% commission on all sales to the Young at Art fund.
• The City of Ottawa is not involved in the sale of exhibition artwork. 
• Dates of studio terms are subject to revision under certain circumstances determined by City staff.

The ASP Gallery is open to the public by appointment only. This exhibition space is used by selected artists involved in the Artist Studio Program for formal or in-process exhibition of artwork. Artist Studio Program artists are entitled to one group or solo exhibition per year.

ASP Gallery at Stafford Studios
Nepean Creative Arts Centre
35 Stafford Road, Bells Corners, Unit 1

Artwork suitable for open house, events and community interaction

The City of Ottawa Artist Studio Program is located within buildings that are designed as “people places”, where the general public is invited to visit. The artist, when participating in an exhibition or open house, or otherwise interacting with the public, is asked to keep in mind that the visual arts exhibition spaces or the Artist's Studio Program may not be suitable venues for exhibiting all forms of artwork.

Applications are now closed for 2024/25.

Confirmation of application: The Artist Studio Program will send applicants a confirmation email when their application has been received and processed. If confirmation has not been received within two weeks of your submission, please contact us for confirmation.

Notification of assessment: Applicants will be notified of the peer assessment committee’s decisions by email within three months of the deadline date.

• Results are final.
• Due to the volume of applications received for this competition, artistic feedback will not be provided.
• If your application is not successful, you are encouraged to try again!

Copyright and moral rights

Copyright of artworks shall remain the property of the artist. Moral rights shall remain with the artist. The City of Ottawa will seek copyright permission to reproduce the images for non-profit publicity purposes.

Confidentiality of information

Administrators and peer assessment committee are required to treat both the content of submissions and the deliberations of the committee as confidential. Information provided by the applicant may be available to City of Ottawa staff, committees, and members of the peer assessment committee. Personal information contained therein shall be dealt with on a confidential basis pursuant to the Municipal Freedom and Protection Privacy Act.

Inquiries: cgc@ottawa.ca

The Artist Studio Program is operated by the City of Ottawa Community Arts Program.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you are unable to view documents or require alternative file formats, please complete an accessible documents request form.