Diefenbunker begins search for 2023 artist-in-residence

CARP – Earn an opportunity to have your art displayed in one of the lowdownest art galleries in the city. Seventy-five feet (23 metres) down to be precise.

The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is launching its 2023 artist-in-residence program and that starts with an application.

“Calling all artists,” Diefenbunker staff released in a statement Tuesday (Dec. 6). “Applications for our 2023 artist-in-residence are now open. If you are inspired by our mission and are interested in exploring topics related to Canada’s Cold War story in your artistic practice, apply now to be part of a one-of-a-kind collaborative experience. Visitors to the museum will immerse themselves in your work, 75-feet underground, in an exhibition in the vault of our once-top secret Cold War bunker.”

Established in 2014, the Diefenbunker’s Artist-in-Residence Program fosters connections between the museum, local artists, and the wider Ottawa community through the creation and presentation of art inspired by the history of our national historic site.

To date, the museum has proudly welcomed Christos Pantieras, Mairi Brascoupé, Greta Grip, Carol Wainio, Annette Hegel, Anna Frlan, Jesse Stewart, Gail Bourgeois, and Pixie Cram as past artists-in-residence.

The museum welcomes one artist per year for a period of three to six months. The program is open to artists working in all media and living within 200 km of Ottawa. Works produced through the residency must have a connection to the Diefenbunker, the Cold War, or related themes.

The residency is not a live-in opportunity and artists must have their own means of transportation (there is no public transit to Carp). Artists are given full access to the museum, its library, collection and archives, and on-site work can be discussed.

The residency will culminate with an exhibition, or a presentation of work completed during the residency, as well as an artist-led tour of the exhibition or talk.

The artist will receive a CARFAC project fee during their residency. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

For West Carleton Online’s complete coverage of the program, including interviews with the artists, click here.

For more information, or to apply, click here.