Apply Now: Artists in Schools Residencies Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 01-Nov-2026

The Artists in Schools – Residencies Program supports Saskatchewan K–12 schools in hosting professional artists-in-residence for periods of one to five months. The program provides students with immersive, hands-on artistic experiences that enrich their education and create meaningful connections between professional artistic practice and classroom learning. By embedding professional artists within school communities for an extended period, the program encourages creativity, innovation, artistic appreciation, student agency, identity, and voice. Residencies can be developed around a particular theme, connected across the curriculum, or designed to celebrate heritage and regional identity. Funding of up to $8,000 is available for each residency term, with additional support available for eligible travel and completed residency requirements. The program supports a wide range of artistic disciplines, including literary arts, visual arts, media arts, music, theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary practices.

About the Artists in Schools – Residencies Program

Artists in Schools – Residencies is designed to create direct and sustained engagement between Saskatchewan K–12 school communities and professional artists. Unlike short-term arts activities, the residency model allows an artist to spend an extended period within a school environment. This provides opportunities for deeper relationships, co-learning, experimentation, and creative collaboration between students, educators, and artists.

The program aims to:

- Enrich students’ educational experiences through the arts - Encourage creativity and innovation - Develop students’ appreciation of artistic practices - Provide immersive and hands-on artistic experiences - Strengthen relationships between schools and artists - Develop student agency, identity, and voice - Encourage co-learning and co-creation - Promote inclusive participation - Increase meaningful access to arts experiences How Long Can an Artist Residency Last? Residencies can last from one to five months. The extended residency period allows professional artists to become more closely integrated into the school environment and work with students over time. Residencies can be structured according to the needs and interests of the participating school and may be: - Thematic - Cross-curricular - Focused on heritage - Connected to regional identity - Based on particular artistic practices - Multidisciplinary Residencies must take place during regular school hours. What Art Forms Are Supported? The program supports a broad range of artistic practices.

Eligible residency areas can include:

- Literary arts - Visual arts - Media arts - Music - Theatre - Dance - Multidisciplinary artistic practices This broad approach allows schools to work with artists whose practices are appropriate for their students, educational objectives, and community context. What Are the Goals of an Artist Residency? The program seeks to create deeper arts-based learning experiences that extend beyond standard classroom arts education. Residencies should provide opportunities for students to develop: - Creativity - Innovation - Artistic appreciation - Agency - Identity - Voice - Critical and creative thinking - Collaborative learning skills The program also emphasizes co-learning and co-creation, allowing students and artists to learn from and create with one another. How Does the Program Promote Inclusion? Inclusion and relationship building are important elements of the Artists in Schools – Residencies Program. Special attention is given to engaging historically underserved or marginalized communities, including: - Indigenous communities - BIPOC communities - 2SLGBTQ+ communities - People with varying abilities Applicants should consider how their residency can provide meaningful opportunities for students who may experience barriers to accessing arts education and participation. Are Elders or Knowledge Keepers Required for Indigenous Art Projects? Yes. For residencies involving Indigenous art forms or Indigenous knowledge, meaningful inclusion of an Elder or Knowledge Keeper is required. Applicants should ensure that appropriate cultural knowledge and participation are incorporated into the residency when Indigenous cultural material is being explored. A letter of support from an Elder or Knowledge Keeper is also required for residencies involving Indigenous cultural material. How Much Funding Is Available? Funding of up to $8,000 is available for each residency term. The funding can support the residency and eligible project-related expenses. Artists receive a full-time monthly salary of between: - $4,000 and $4,500 per month Additional funding is available after the residency when the artist completes and submits the required feedback: - $1,000 for residencies lasting one to two months - $2,000 for residencies lasting three to five months Schools may also allocate funding toward eligible expenses such as: - Materials - Guest artists - Administrative costs - Travel - Accommodation Is Additional Travel Funding Available? Yes. Remote fly-in communities in Northern Saskatchewan may be eligible for an additional $1,500 to support travel expenses. This additional support recognizes the higher travel requirements associated with delivering artist residencies in remote Northern communities. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants are K–12 schools in Saskatchewan that: - Operate under the Saskatchewan Education Curriculum - Are based in Saskatchewan - Are in good standing with SK Arts The school must host a professional artist-in-residence who meets the program’s artist eligibility requirements. Who Can Be the Artist-in-Residence?

The artist-in-residence must:

- Be a Saskatchewan resident - Meet SK Arts’ definition of a professional artist The artist should have the professional artistic experience and practice necessary to engage students in meaningful arts-based learning. What Are the School’s Responsi