Create, plan, think, exhibit, and collaborate.
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Studio H Canada offers international artist residencies located on the unceded territory of the Sc’ianew First Nations also known as Metchosin, BC just 30 minutes from the port of Victoria, BC Canada. This gorgeous rural seaside and mountain location has miles of walking trails, lakes, mountains, sheep farms, beaches and more. From our location, the views of Mt. Baker, Esquimalt Lagoon and the city of Victoria are breathtaking. For any artist, working in any media it is sure to inspire.
Information about Traveling to Canada and Covid Protocols
The Public Health Orders (PHO) for British Columbia are changing regularly. The PHOs require that all businesses have a Covid safety plan that includes limiting flow of visitors, spacing of employees, availability of hand sanitizers, mandatory mask-wearing, and suspension of all public events. Residencies are not vacations, but work-related and educational activities.
Studio H Canada requires all artists whether Canadian or international, be fully vaccinated and to comply with local health regulations and best practices to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and its variants.
For more information about the BC PHO requirements please see: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
Regional applicants will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
International artists must comply with federal government regulations concerning vaccination requirements to enter the country. Please see the following links for the most current information about travel restrictions and the use of the ArriveCan APP:
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html
General information about traveling to Canada can be found at the following links:
About the Studio
Below are a variety of pictures from various times – the studio gets transformed and reconfigured in numerous ways. There is lots of room for producing, exhibiting and collaborating!
The studio is approximately 1,000 square feet and is a separate building overlooking the organic garden, where we also like to hang out and make a feast of pizzas with organic veggies in our wood-fired oven, and sip wine while admiring the flowers and forest. Bonus – there are no bugs, or relatively few. There is lots of nature though, and it is common for deer, rabbits, California Quail, owls, eagles and vultures to pass through regularly, even a bear occasionally.
The studio space has large walls and high ceilings. The front area outside the studio is a flat concrete pad for outdoor creating and construction, sanding or other messier activity during good weather.
Art practice can include all media. There is also a large tapestry loom, an antique sewing machine, and six work tables. Any artists working in textiles are welcome. Water is currently available from an outside tap, but a new sink and wet area will be installed at some point.
Writers, poets, academics and researchers are also welcome to work here. Photographers, media artists, installation and conceptual work, can all be undertaken here. If we do not have something, we can help to find it.
Accommodations and Amenities
There are 2 options for accommodations. Accommodations are in a separate suite in the main house each with a private entrance.
Please note, during Covid-19 we must implement and continually adjust protocols to ensure the health and safety of everyone. As the situtation is changing frequently, we will work with artists directly after applying to ensure that appropriate protocols are in place and understood.
Option 1 – The Studio Suite
The Studio Suite has a private bath, small lounge and separate entrance to the outside. The bed is an extremely comfortable queen size. The couch folds out to a comfortable double bed with an extra thick memory foam topper. There is access to a shared laundry, hot tub and infrared sauna – because we know when you are tired after a long day slogging it out in the studio you need a little relaxation! For food, the suite contains a small fridge for most day-to-day supplies plus a microwave and coffee/tea maker. If you want to make dinner or use the stove or bbq that is available for studio exchangers or artists on longer residency. High-speed internet with an HD television with a guest Netflix account or access to YouTube etc. is provided.
Option 2 – The View Suite
This gorgeous suite is 1,000 sq’ open concept with warm wood beams, huge windows, and elegant touches like pendant lights from Venice over the glass dining table, a hand-pottered swag light from Provence over the kitchen island, and real art on the walls from around the world and my studio. The two couches fold down to comfy beds to accommodate artist groups*. The Smart TV comes with all your favourite streaming media including Netflix, Prime Video and music. High-speed internet are available for entertainment and work. The large, modern kitchen is supplied with good quality cooking gear (Lagostina and Paderno cooking/oven wear), and dishes, microwave, coffee makers, electric kettle etc. This is a place to relax and enjoy and really feel like you are away from it all. To top it off, a wonderful therapeutic hot tub is at your disposal 24/7.
*Please note: the residency is for artists or collaborative artistic groups – other visitors may be accommodated, please enquire ahead of time. In general, the residency is not for families as this may provide a distraction from achieving residency goals.
About Victoria and Metchosin Arts Community
There is a thriving arts community in the region and Metchosin is home to a growing group of them including Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) on the Pearson College UWC international campus. In Metchosin’s village, you will find the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Association (MACCA), Metchosin Art Pod, the Schoolhouse Museum, and the local community house hosts a weekly meeting of artists. I am personally involved in arts activities and groups in Victoria including Xchanges Gallery and Studios, where we are active members as well as Ground Zero Printmakers. There are many other Artist-Run Centres in the area as well.
Getting around
We recommend having a car as local bus transportation is available but not frequent. We can also help to arrange rideshares and coordinate excursions as much as possible. We have an extra bike for local rides to the village corner store, My Chosen café or the Broken Paddle Café. Check out Google for other information links about this area, and its artists.
By air – https://www.victoriaairport.com/
By ferry – https://www.bcferries.com/
By bus – https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/schedules-and-maps
Ride Sharing – (untested) https://www.ridesharing.com/en-ca/ca/Victoria
Registration and Fees
Once you complete the intake form below we will arrange an online meeting via Skype, Google Meet or Zoom to find out more about your residency goals, timing, and interests to make sure this is the right residency for you.
Once it is determined this is the right fit and the plan is established, Studio H Canada will draft an artist agreement for the term of the residency outlining your responsibilities and how we can support you (in-kind financial support, achieving residency goals etc.), and finalize dates and payments. You will also receive an official offer/acceptance letter that can be used for funding applications or sponsors. SHC must receive confirmation from artists that they will accept the offer, sign off on the residency agreement, and submit their deposit within 4 working days.
Our fees for art residency average $40-$60 per day. We also provide a sliding reduction for longer residencies. Basic Fee schedule below does not include local taxes, non refundable deposit of $100, or additional services. The deposit is non refundable but never expires – so if plans change, you can apply the deposit to a future residency.
Use the Plan Your Residency Calendar to see which dates have been booked already. All residencies start on Sunday at noon, and check out on Saturday, noon.
All fees are based on single artist occupancy. Please enquire about artist groups of 3 or more in the View Suite and doubles in the Studio Suite. Only artists may attend the residency.
All fees are in $CAD. PayPal transfers are accepted for international payments.
Option 1 with accommodations in The Studio Suite
- Weekend retreat – Friday – Sunday – $150 (local artists from BC only)
- One Week – $367.00 CAD
Option 2 with accommodations in The View Suite
- One Week – $525.00
- Two Weeks – $997.00
- Three Weeks – $1,391.00
- Four Weeks – $1,759.00
Cancellations & Deposit
Non-refundable deposit: $100
Booking period: 1 month in advance minimum and based on availability.
Refund Schedule – subject to change and dependent on document exchange timing:
| Amount | Condition | Timing |
| $100.00 CAD deposit | nonrefundable | Within four days of receiving offer letter and agreement |
| $ xxx.00 CAD | half fees payable | 30 days after signing agreement |
| $ xxx.00 CAD | balance of fees payable | Upon arrival |
| 75% of fees paid | refundable | 90 days prior to arrival |
| 50% of fees paid | refundable | 60 days prior to arrival |
| 25% of fees paid | refundable | 24-48 hours before arrival* only due to Covid-19 or other major issue |
Bookings and Payment
Payments can be made by eTransfer or PayPal to: studiohcanadaresidency@gmail.com
Click here to apply for the Irene Borins Ash Memorial Textile Artist Residency Program.