Request for Proposals: Art City 2026/27 Guest Artist Residency Series

Art City invites North America based artists to submit proposals for the 2026/27 Guest Artist Residency Series

Submission Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2026

Founded by artist Wanda Koop, Art City is a not-for-profit, socially engaged art studio based in West Broadway, a culturally diverse and densely populated neighborhood located on Treaty No. 1 Territory in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Art City provides people of all ages and abilities with innovative, barrier free art programming, featuring guest artists who lead workshops based on their own art practices. Art City’s primary goal is to provide space and tools for anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively, with a focus on children and youth.

2025 Guest Artist Hannah Doucet, Wish Fountain

Eligibility

The Guest Artist Residency Series is designed for contemporary artists to share their practices in a community context. It is a collaborative process with a high level of engagement by participants of all ages, so workshop content must be appropriate for youth participation. Art City programs are attended on a drop-in basis.

Many Art City participants are from Indigenous and Newcomer communities. Artists and Knowledge Keepers that belong to these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Artists must have a demonstrated proficiency in the mediums the proposed workshop includes and must communicate technical support requirements.

*Please note that Art City is not accepting video-based proposals at this time*

Representatives from art organizations, businesses, or arts educators who are not currently engaged in their own professional art practice are welcome to contact Art City for other opportunities for collaboration aside from the Guest Artist Residency Series.

2025 Guest Artist Karen Law, “The Art of Cookery, Chinese Flavours and Printmaking”

Proposal Guidelines

Selection Process
Proposals are selected by a panel comprised of Art City staff, Board members and past guest artists. Art City also seeks input from young Art City participants.

All artists will be contacted after the selection panel has deliberated. Please allow for a period of 6 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline to hear back about the status of your proposal.

Artist Fees
Selected guest artists will receive artist fees of $3,250 CAD for a five-day workshop.

Visiting Artist Travel, Accommodations and Per Diem
Selected non-Winnipeg based guest artists will arrange their own travel. Art City will reimburse up to $1,000 CAD. Art City will issue reimbursement upon submission of travel expense receipts. Expenses related to travel to and from airports are not eligible for reimbursement but have been considered as part of our decision to pay per diems on the travel days before and after the workshop dates (see below).

Art City will arrange and pay for non-Winnipeg based guest artists’ accommodations. Typically, Art City reserves accommodations located in walking distance from our studio. In the event an artist would like to extend their stay in Winnipeg, they will reimburse Art City for any extra days of accommodation.

A $60 CAD per diem (the 5 workshop days plus two travel days for a total of 7 days/$420 CAD) will be provided for selected non-Winnipeg based guest artists.

Pairs or Groups
While proposals from pairs or groups of artists will be considered, please note that no additional artist fees or travel expenses are available. Pairs or groups of artists visiting from out of town will share the $1000 travel budget and accommodations budget. In the event a pair or group of visiting artists are selected, the per diem will increase to $120/day (the 5 workshop days plus two travel days for a total of 7 days/$840) to be shared between the artists.

Safety
Selected guest artists will be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check, or the equivalent in the jurisdiction in which the artist is based, the cost of which is eligible for reimbursement by Art City.

Submission Requirements
All submissions must include the following:

1. Your name, address, e-mail and phone number.
2. A one-page letter of interest, describing:
   ◦  As an artist, why do you want to work with Art City?
   ◦  How will your workshop facilitate a meaningful artistic exchange between you and Art City participants?
   ◦  How will this experience benefit/impact you as an artist?
   ◦  Your availability from April 2026 to March 2027
3. A document consisting of a proposed title and brief description of the workshop.
4. A detailed list of materials/equipment required for the workshop.
5. A brief biography summarizing artistic achievements (1 paragraph).
6. CV including any past community engagement (maximum 3 pages).
7. Support material list, including title, medium and dimensions.
   ◦  Items 1 – 7 must be submitted in PDF format.
   ◦  Include your initials in the title of each file. Example: AB_letterofinterest.pdf.
8. Support material in digital format following these specifications:
   Still images:
   ◦  .jpg format, 72 dpi resolution
   ◦  Recommended minimum size: 300 x 300 pixels, maximum size: 1024 x ∙  768 pixels
   ◦  Maximum individual file size: 3 MB
   ◦  Labeling: Include your initials, e.g. AB.
   ◦  Numbering should correspond with the order on your support material list
   ◦  Number the first nine images by placing a zero in front, e.g. 01, 02, 03 etc.
   ◦  Include the title of the work and year created, e.g. AB01Title2018
   Audio:
   ◦  .mp3 or m4a format, 192 kbps
   Video:
   ◦  .mp4 or .mov format, or video uploaded to Vimeo (vimeo.com)
   ◦  Set as a private password protected and downloadable video
   ◦  Include the link with the password in your submission

How to Submit

Email proposals to: submissions@artcityinc.com
Incomplete or late applications are ineligible.

Submission Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2026

View the full RFP for information about participants, group size, daily schedule, programming space, supplies, staff and volunteer support, and tips for designing a successful workshop.

For further information about Art City and the Guest Artist Residency Series, contact Artistic Director, Eddie Ayoub at: eddie@artcityinc.com

Art City
616 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0W8
www.artcityinc.com