Smartwear artist residencies provide time and space to explore, research, and develop ideas alongside our interdisciplinary team. We are offering two residencies in Spring 2027:

In-Person Residency – 1 artist

Two months, May-June 2027

One artist will work in person with the Smartwear Revolution research team over a supported period of research and experimentation, contributing to and engaging with ongoing interdisciplinary development. The residency offers direct access to the labs involved in the Smartwear Revolution project for inspiration and immersion in the research, along with opportunities for conversations with researchers, technologists, and other project personnel across disciplines. The artist-in-residence will also have the chance to arrange studio visits to exchange ideas and get feedback on work in progress.

In addition to having access to an artist studio at the University of Alberta, the artist-in-residence will have access to:

• University of Alberta libraries
• Painting, printmaking, media art and sculpture facilities within the University of Alberta Art & Design department (please note, not all studios are fully accessible).
• Digital Scholarship Centre
• ELKO Garage
• student research assistance

What you receive

$12,000 CAD total, inclusive of artist fee, materials, travel, accommodation, and production costs.

Virtual Residency – 1 artist

One artist will take part in a fully online residency, developing their own artistic work in relation to the Smartwear Revolution project, over a supported period of research and experimentation. The residency offers virtual tours of the labs involved in the project for inspiration and immersion in the research, along with opportunities for online conversations with researchers, technologists, and other project personnel across disciplines. Artists will also have the chance to arrange virtual studio visits with artists and curators affiliated with the project to exchange ideas and get feedback on work in progress.

Outcomes

Both the in-person and virtual artists-in-residence will create artwork, performance or fashion creations for the 2028 Support festival. The work does not have to be created during the 2027 residency, but must be ready by January 2028.

What you receive

• $8,000 CAD total, inclusive of materials and production costs.
• Student research assistance
• Flexible dates between February 2027–December 2027

Who Is Eligible?

We welcome artists and artist-researchers of all abilities. We are particularly interested in applicants with lived or professional experience related to disability, chronic illness, muscular and skeletal weakness, aging, caregiving, rehabilitation, mobility devices and assistive technology, and healthcare. This may include, but is not limited to, older adults, healthcare practitioners, caregivers, and people with lived experience of disability or chronic illness.

Requirements: Applicants should demonstrate relevant creative experience in visual arts, fashion-based works, or performance.
Inclusivity: There are no restrictions regarding nationality, geography, age, gender, sexuality, religion, or disability. Collectives and student artists are welcome to apply.

You might be a good fit if you…

• are interested in making artwork that engages with or responds to the ideas and practices of working scientists and engineers
• get inspired by collaborating with people from other disciplines
• make art / design / performance using ethnographic or research-creation approaches

These are examples; we welcome other approaches that engage with the project’s research and the 2028 festival theme of SUPPORT.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

The EOI should include:

• Artist statement (250-500 words)
• Artist biography (250-500 words) or short CV
• Examples of 8-10 works
• Artist-in-residence project proposal (250-500 words)

The Expression of Interest is meant to be fairly simple and not overly detailed or labour-intensive. The EOI can be submitted through our Google Form, where we also welcome submissions in alternate formats including audio or video recordings. To support you during the application process, we will host two information sessions, and are also available to provide support outside of these sessions.

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Deadline: December 15, 2026
Notification: January 15, 2027

Stage 2: Full Proposals and Interviews

Selected EOIs will be asked to complete a more detailed proposal and will be invited for an interview to discuss how they would use the residency opportunity. We will provide a small honorarium or gift card of $250 to those who complete this full application/interview process.

Final Results: February 15, 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to apply?

No. There is no fee to submit an EOI for the artist-in-residence.

Can I submit my EOI as a video or audio recording?

Yes. However, you still need to complete the Google Form.

For mandatory text fields, you can write “See video” or “See attached file” instead of providing a written response. If you require support with completing the Google Form, please email adwg@ualberta.ca

Can students, collectives, or organizations apply to do an artist-in-residence?

This opportunity is only open to individual artists and small collectives.  Other opportunities are available for UofA students to work on the project. Please contact adwg@ualberta for more information.

Do I need to know which Smartwear Revolution lab I want to work with?

No. You do not need to identify a specific lab or research team at the EOI stage. You are welcome to describe your interests and how you imagine connecting with the project, and we can help identify potential points of connection if your EOI moves forward.

Do I need technical knowledge or experience with smartwear to apply?

No. You do not need technical, scientific, medical, or engineering experience to apply. We welcome artists and creative practitioners who are interested in exploring the theme of SUPPORT through their own practices and perspectives.

Do I need to use smartwear technology in my proposed work?

No. Your work does not need to incorporate Smartwear Revolution technology. You are invited to respond to the project’s themes, research, and ideas in ways that are meaningful to your own practice. If you are interested in working directly with the project’s technologies or research teams, you are welcome to propose that as part of your EOI.

Is there flexibility on the dates of the residency?

The dates for the virtual residency are flexible, but the in-person residency is limited to when the studios and facilities are available, which is May/June 2028. If you do not need a studio or access to facilities then we are happy to discuss alternative dates for the in-person residency. 

What happens if my proposal changes after I submit my EOI?

Your proposal can develop as you move through the selection process. The EOI is an opportunity to introduce your practice and initial idea. If selected for the next stage, you will have an opportunity to discuss and further develop your proposal with the team before submitting the full application and interview. 

Does my work need to exist both in person and online?

Yes. All festival activities will have both in-person and virtual components, so proposed works should be able to take part in both settings. You do not need to have the virtual component fully developed at the EOI stage. We are happy to work with selected artists to explore how their work can be translated across physical and virtual spaces.

What accommodations are available during the application process?

• We offer several ways to make the application process more accessible, including:

• Application Information Sessions

• Alternative submission formats, including audio and video

• Direct support by email at adwg@ualberta.ca

• Other accommodations by request

If you need an accommodation that is not listed here, please contact us. We will do our best to find an appropriate way to support your application.

Can I submit my Access Rider with my EOI?

Access Riders are not reviewed as part of the EOI selection process. If you have access needs you would like us to be aware of, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your needs throughout the process.

Can someone else complete or submit my application for me?

Yes. Someone else can complete or submit your application as long as you have given them your full consent and are comfortable with the information being submitted on your behalf.

If you do not have someone who can assist you and would like support completing or submitting your EOI, please contact adwg@ualberta.ca.

Are the festival venues accessible?

The festival will take place across several University of Alberta venues in Edmonton, including UCommons, FAB Gallery, Gallery A, the Sound Studies Institute Sound Arts Gallery, McMullen Art Gallery, and the Timms Centre for the Arts. Accessibility was considered in selecting these venues, although each venue has its own characteristics and limitations. You will not be asked to determine venue fit at the EOI stage. Venue considerations will be discussed during the full application process. Our goal is to adapt the festival to the works being proposed, rather than requiring artists to adapt their work to a predetermined venue.

Will an honorarium or artist fee affect my disability support payments?

We know this is a real concern. We’re committed to working with artists to find ways to prevent payments from jeopardizing disability support programs. Please raise this with us as early as possible, ideally when we meet after a successful EOI, so we can plan around it together.

Can I submit my EOI in a language other than English or French?

If English or French is not your first language, or you would prefer to apply in another language, please contact adwg@ualberta.ca before the application deadline to discuss available options.

Will I be notified if my EOI is not selected?

Yes. All applicants will receive an email notifying them whether their EOI has been selected to move forward to the full application stage.

Do I need a Canadian Social Insurance Number to participate?

No, international applicants are welcome. Please note however that a 15% tax is automatically deducted for international payments, but a tax waiver can be applied for which we can support with. 

Can I apply if I have never worked with a university before?

Yes. You do not need previous experience working with the University of Alberta or another university to apply. If selected, our team will help you navigate the administrative requirements, including supplier registration and invoicing.

Does this project have ethics approval?

Yes. The Smartwear Revolution project has University of Alberta Ethics approval under Pro00153484.