About the Residency
Founded in 2001, in a partnership with Parks Canada, the KIAC Artist in Residence Program has welcomed hundreds of talented artists, musicians and filmmakers to Dawson City from all regions of Canada and around the world. Our alumni include Sobey Art Award nominees, Western Canada Music Award winners, and prize-winning filmmakers from film festivals across the globe.
Former KIAC residents have work in permanent collections at the National Gallery of Canada, the Metropolitan Museum (New York), the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Yukon Arts Centre, and have presented work at some of the world’s premier venues: MoMA New York, the Georges Pompidou Centre (Paris), Documenta, Venice Biennale, Whitney Museum, and Art Gallery of Ontario, among many others.
Our Artist in Residence Program aims to present an inspirational environment and culturally relevant context for art creation and research for professional artists of all levels of experience.
Mission
- To provide professional artists with unrestricted time and space to research, develop and produce ongoing or new body of works/projects.
- To introduce visiting artists to northern peoples, cultures and landscapes.
- To provide the Yukon community with exposure and access to a diverse range of contemporary Canadian and international arts practices and theories.
- To provide outreach activities such as talks, workshops and exhibitions, intended to promote interaction and professional development within the community.
Application Information
KIAC accepts applications from visual artists, media artists and interdisciplinary artists, as well as curators. Consideration will be given to professional, established and emerging Canadian and international artists. All disciplines will be considered.
Residencies are available for research, development and production of ongoing or new bodies of work. Artists’ proposed projects should take into account KIAC’s limited resources.
Please view the full application guidelines and application forms here.
Facilities
The residency is in historic Macaulay House, owned and maintained by Parks Canada as part of the Klondike National Historic Sites Complex. This fine two storey house, built in 1901, was owned by Henry C. Macaulay, Dawson City’s first mayor. Subsequently, it housed such affluent individuals as a merchant, a Territorial Commissioner, a surveyor, and senior management of the Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation. It was a residence for those whose instructions, salaries, and lifestyle came from outside.
- There are typically 2 artists at a time in the house.
- Each artist receives a private bedroom and private studio space. There is shared kitchen, living room, bathroom and large backyard. Hi-speed internet is provided.
- Artists also have access to facilities at KIAC which include video & sound equipment, art supplies, printing facilities, darkroom and performance space.
Restrictions
- Per our rental agreement with Parks Canada, we do not allow any pets to accompany artists on their residencies.
- We unfortunately do not allow children to join artists during their residency.
Dawson Historical Complex protects over 17 buildings that are associated with the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. The site reflects the social, economic and political features that shaped the Yukon region over the last century. – Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, 1967-1982. For more on Dawson Historical Complex and the other Klondike National Historic Sites, please visit the Park Canada website.