Artist Residency Call - Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House

Organization:

Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House (City of Surrey)

Deadline:

Jun. 15, 2025

Website:

https://www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/totest-aleng-indigenous-learning-house/artist-residence

Call for Artists Description:

The City of Surrey is inviting proposals for a paid artist residency at Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House for an Indigenous artist, creative, or knowledge keeper (herein referred to as “artist”) who is working on growing their artistic and/or cultural practices.

Totest Aleng is a studio and gathering space located in Elgin Heritage Park beside Historic Stewart Farm. It was created for Indigenous cultural and artistic practices in Surrey. The studio is dedicated to artists-in-residence, large-scale projects, and hands-on learning programs. It includes power tools for woodworking, and flexible space for painting, beading, gathering, and other work. The open-air pavilion is a place for connection, where Indigenous-led workshops, events, and school programs take place.

The residency will give an artist the opportunity to develop their practice in a new and inspiring location by pursuing a self-driven project. The selected artist will have use of the space, tools, and resources of the studio to support their project.

The selected artist will also be expected to complete a minimum of one (1) public engagement program per four (4) weeks of residency. This could take the form of a workshop, artist talk, or other engagement ideas the artist may have. For example, an 8-week residency would require 2 public engagement sessions.

Exhibition opportunities will be provided, such as at the Crescent Beach Pop-up Gallery or the Stewart Hall at Historic Stewart Farm. City staff will work with the selected artist to provide networking opportunities with curators, gallerists, and other artists. As part of this project, the selected artist will have the paid option of developing a banner design for Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House.

How to Apply:

Email: totestaleng@surrey.ca
Subject line: Artist Residency – (Your Name)

Your proposal should contain the following information:
• Contact Details: Name, address, email, and phone number
• Letter of Intent: Briefly outline the project you wish to develop during the residency, and your proposed public engagement activities (2-page max)
o The residency is a time for experimentation, and we understand that the project may evolve during your residency time
• Availability Details:
o Proposed length of residency
o Date range of availability
o Ability/interest in sharing the studio with another artist
• Portfolio: Up to 10 images of past work

Applications will be reviewed by staff with input from Indigenous artists. Artists will be confirmed after a short interview with Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House staff.

Please note that artists-in-residence are required to provide proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance and a Police Information Check. Personal Optional Protection coverage is optional but encouraged.

Fees/Compensation:

• Monthly stipend is $1,000 per month
• Materials stipend is $250 per month
• Public engagement fee is $520 per program
• Banner design fee is $1,000 (optional)
• Registration and promotion costs for public engagement sessions will be covered by the City

Contact Name: Kristin Hardie
Contact Email: totestaleng@surrey.ca
Contact Phone: (160) 450-26460