The Emerging AIR Program offers emerging artists and recent graduates the opportunity to work rent-free at the SNAP Printshop for a 4 month term.

The residency is aimed at providing a new environment and stimuli for the artist to help expand their artistic practice.

During the residency, artists are invited to give a lecture on their work and offer a workshop or demonstration of their specific technique(s). The program offers emerging artists a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with other print artists and discover Edmonton’s internationally acclaimed arts community while further developing their practice.

NOTE: The residency provides a rent-free studio space however monthly supply fees for consumables apply.

To maximize the potential for artistic growth, and to encourage the production of a body of work outside of a formal institution, an exhibition is a requirement of the residency. The exhibition will occur in either SNAP’s community or studio galleries normally within 6 months of the end of the residency.

Image: Mitchell Chalifoux, Emerging AIR 2017

EAIR Mitch

Who is an emerging artist?

Emerging Artists are defined as those, of any age, who have mastered the basic techniques of their art form through education or apprenticeship and are in the early years of launching a professional career. Emerging artists have created a modest body of independent work and are ready for the next steps in their artistic development.

Residency terms run:

September-February and/or January-June.

Selection:

A panel of arts professionals will select the artists in residence based on the artistic merit and clarity of the application, the suitability of the project for SNAP facilities, as well as the impact the residency will have on the artist’s practice and the perceived potential impact of the artist on our community.

Accessible options:

Non-written option: We welcome video or audio files as an alternate accessible option to the written letter of intent and bio. Please be concise and keep your video or audio to 5-10 minutes in length for each item. You must submit images separately. 

Physical applications: While we prefer email submissions, for accessibility reasons we are happy to received mailed or dropped off hard copy applications. Please do not mail physical copies of digital files such as in CDs or hard drives. If you require assistance with transferring files please contact us at [email protected].

Submission Requirements:

  • Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
  • Brief biography & artist’s statement (max. 1 page)
  • A letter of intent describing how the time at SNAP would be used and outlining the applicant’s artistic and/or academic goals for the next 2 or more years (max. 1 page)
  • 10-20 images of previous work (jpegs, max. 300 dpi.) 
  • An image list including media, size and date of creation
  • Please include the name of an instructor or professional reference that can be contacted

Formatting Guidelines:

  • SNAP uses Google Drive to receive, store, and share submissions with peer reviewers. If you are sharing files through Drive, please ensure sharing permissions for [email protected] allow for download on all files shared.
  • Please compile all written documents into a single PDF
  • Do not use expiring links such as WeTransfer in your initial application.
  • If possible, please compile all images into a single folder and name the folder: ‘[Your Name] Images’.
  • You can arrange the order images are viewed by assigning them a number in the file name.
  • Including your name in the file name is helpful. example: 01Your Name.jpeg, 02Your Name.jpeg etc
  • If dropping off a physical application, please do not use media that are hard to access such as CDs or SD cards. We are happy to copy files from a USB if you have trouble emailing your files to us.

Deadline for submissions is June 30th of each year.

Submission Deadline: 5:00 pm, June 30, 2023.

Please email your submissions to [email protected] with “Emerging AIR 2023” in the subject line.

Send any questions about the EAIR program to [email protected].

Download the PDF call: Emerging Artist in Residence Call