Artist Residency
Apply for a Residency
(wResidency programs bring emerging and established artists of all disciplines and cultures together for 4-12 week retreats staying onsite in our 90 year old farmhouse and using our spectacular facilities.
A residency artist has two options when at Ross Creek.
They may wish to work without reference to the Centre’s wider community. There is usually only one moment where they will be asked to interact with the public during their stay, if appropriate. The identified project for the artist is paramount and their complete focus.is also project based, but also provides many possibilities to interact with the community, as a teacher or mentor.
Or, a residency may see the artist engaging our community through programs developed in conjunction with our programming staff and administered by Ross Creek. We match artists’ interests and skills with the needs of our community to provide our rural community with the best possible experience. Sometimes, we accept residencies for a particular piece of art to be created at the Centre, especially large scale sculpture or garden works that can live in the landscape here. Our outreach and education programs bring professional colony artists together with our community.
Artist Submissions now being accepted for 2020-22.
Apply For the Artist in Residence Programs
The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts invites visual, new media, musicians and other performing artists and craftspeople to submit proposals for the Ross Creek Centre Artist in Residnce (AiR) Program. We invite submissions from artists from around the world and from all disciplines of performing and visual arts, literature, academic writing, fine craft, new media and architecture.
We accept applications year round and review them monthly on the 10th of each month.
The Ross Creek Centre provides great experiences for artists who wish to live in a retreat setting while in an artistic venue. Our Residency programs provide a spectacular rural environment along with the gifts of time and space to inspire talented artists of all disciplines. A Ross Creek Colony consists of use of a studio, accommodations, and three prepared meals a day for between four and eight weeks.
Ross Creek Residency artist applicants are all interviewed by our programming director, then selected by a jury of peers who are familiar with Ross Creek and who represent different disciplines.
The Centre offers residencies to professional creative artists from all nations and backgrounds working in one or more of the following media: Dance, film, writing, theatre, music, visual art, performance art, photography, and video. Artists may apply individually or as members of collaborative teams. They are selected by panels of other professional artists. The residency does cost $625 per week +HST per week (or $2475.00/Month) for an individual artist (including all room, board, and private studio) before any fellowship or bursaries, and we encourage all artists to apply and to discuss options if they require financial aid.
Residencies last from two weeks to four months.
Long Term Work Exchange Residency opportunity
Residencies at Ross Creek are a fantastic way for artists to explore their creative side in a new setting with a new community!
Along with its short-term residencies, Ross Creek is seeking artists to participate in longer term residencies and become integral to our community during their stay. We are searching for one long term artist per season who is looking for a residency posting for the fall or winter terms and is also interested in doing some handy work around the centre. The candidate, in visual or media arts, writing, architecture, film, theatre, dance or music, would ideally have his or her own transportation and would have a working knowledge of carpentry, gardening etc, a great work ethic, and a positive and helpful demeanor. With access to a private studio space 24 hours a day, the artist can focus on their own work while also completing their work exchange hours. For collaborators, we can arrange collaboration times for a larger group to participate in the residency.
We prefer to have someone from September through December 15, and a different artist from January 15 to April 15, with a small fee paid by the artist for food and heat in the farmhouse. They will cook for themselves, have their own bedroom in the shared artist residency, studio space, and would be asked to work 20 hours a week around the centre in exchange for a contracted residency.
We welcome individual and collaborative professional artists of all disciplines and all stages in their careers to participate in Ross Creek.
Please email programs@artscentre.ca if you are interested or if you have any other questions.
Dancers, writers, theatre collaborators, architects, visual artists, musicians. We welcome individual and collaborative professional artists of all disciplines and all stages in their careers to participate in Ross Creek.
Master Class
The Master Class program enables artists to work in their own field with other artists from around the world taught by some of the world’s most remarkable figures.
Ross Creek Fellows
Any artist who has participated in Ross Creek Programs is also welcome to join the Ross Creek Fellows, a group dedicated to making the Centre fulfill your needs while you are with us. Share ideas and ensure the Centre continues to serve your peers well, and well into the future.
Galleries
We welcome submissions from visual artists and fine craftspeople for solo and group exhibits in our galleries. There are occasional themes for the gallery and we have a jury which reviews the submissions on an annual basis. We also occasionally invite specific artists to exhibit.
ROSS CREEK GALLERY
The Ross Creek Centre for the Arts invites visual and media artists and craftspeople to submit proposals for the Ross Creek Professional Gallery’s upcoming seasons. Please see here for submission calls and deadlines. Email programs@artscentre.ca to get more information and submission requirements.
Artist FAQ
HOW DO I GET TO ROSS CREEK?
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation serving Ross Creek; there are buses to Wolfville from the Airport and/or Halifax, and we can arrange transport from Wolfville to Ross Creek.
Maritime Bus is currently the only bus provider to Wolfville.
For a private car, we suggest Woods Limousine. There have a variety of vehicles to suit your needs.
There are many rental options at the Halifax (Stanfield) International Airport.
WHAT TIME CAN I CHECK IN/OUT?
Check-in time is between 3:00 p.m.and 5:00 p.m. on arrival day. You may try to check-in earlier, but we cannot guarantee that your room will be ready. Dinner is included on your check-in day.
Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Late check-outs may be charged a late check-out fee because we have to get the rooms turned over for the next guests. Breakfast is included on your check-out day.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
We are close to the Bay of Fundy, part of the Atlantic Ocean, which means we have a variable climate, sometimes damp, with wind that can bring lots of snow in the winter, and often lovely hot summers.
The area is not much above sea level, on the North Mountain of the Annapolis Valley. People coming from higher altitudes may require a couple of days to acclimatize.
Summer temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C, but nights are significantly cooler.
Autumn is typically clear and sunny, with daytime temperatures in the 10°C to 15°C range and night-time temperatures dipping down as the months progress, with first frosts generally beginning in October. Winter, which generally lasts from December to March, sometimes offers great snow for snowshoeing or nordic skiing, with typical temperatures ranging from -5°C down to -20°C.
Spring temperatures are generally comfortable 10°C to 15°C during the day. If you go to the beach in an evening, it may be cool even in the height of summer.
The key at all times to dressing in Nova Scotia, is layers.
In the winter, consider packing
- a winter jacket or coat
- sweater or fleece pullover
- winter boots, preferably with a flat sole and non-slip sole
- hat or scarf
- warm socks
- mittens or gloves
In the spring/summer, consider packing
- jacket or windbreaker
- sweater or fleece pullover
- shoes with a flat sole, or running shoes (our property includes hilly terrain)
- sunscreen
- rain gear, including boots
- bathing suit – if you want to brave a swim in the North Atlantic.
ARE THERE SMOKING AREAS?
There is one.
All buildings and almost all of the grounds are non-smoking. For the health, safety, and comfort of our guests, staff and visitors, there is one smoking zone (for tobacco products only) next to the farmhouse, , and smoking is not permitted in any other locations on the property
Marijuana smoking is not permitted on the Ross Creek property at any time for any reason.
Indigenous smudging and sweetgrass ceremonies associated with Ross Creek programs are exempt from the non-smoking policy.
IS THERE WIFI?
Wireless internet is available free of charge and the coverage is strong in the Centre and generally in the farmhouse, and extends to certain areas of the landscape, but not all. Look for rosscreek-guest from your computer, and a password will be provided upon check-in.
IS THER A COMPUTER AND? OR PRINTER I CAN USE DURING MY STAY?
We generally do not have a computer your can use unless you have made specific arrangements.
We do have a printer service for smaller, quick jobs. Our administrator can complete simple print jobs and faxes for a small fee, and can also offers a full supply of office materials and some art materials for purchase.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
Complimentary parking is available to all visitors. Please park in visitor parking and register your vehicle at check-in.
IS THE CENTRE ACCESSIBLE?
Ross Creek welcomes guests with disabilities. There are paths, roadways, or ramps that provide access to and throughout most buildings. However, the centre, with its varied terrain presents challenges to those with limited mobility. We recommend that you contact us in advance so that we can meet you upon your arrival to facilitate your understanding of the best routes and services available. If you have other disabilities, please let us know how bet we can serve you.
Ross Creek has bedrooms adapted for wheelchair access; please request when making your reservation.
CAN I EXPECT TO SEE ANY WILDLIFE ON MY TRIP?
As Ross Creek is in part in a forest, on 178 acres, we are very lucky to be home to various types of wildlife, from different bird species (pheasants, geese, ducks, red-wing blackbirds, hawks, owls, bald eagles) to white-tailed deer. Rabbits, porcupines, turtles, muskrats, and skunks are often seen, and coyotes are often heard, but bears and bobcats are very elusive and are rarely observed.
Keep in mind that the wildlife you may encounter is just that — wild! Please ensure that you respect the animals’ spaces and habitats while at Ross Creek. We need to keep the wild animals unhabituated to humans as much as possible.
CAN I HAVE A GUEST?
Family members or friends not registered for your residency may be able to accompany you with advance discussion. Children under 13 years of age stay free in parent’s room. Additional persons 13 years and over are charged at $20 plus applicable taxes per day. When confirming your residency, please be sure to indicate the number of adults and children in your party so that the most suitable room type can be assigned for you (not all rooms have double beds or cots). Should the size of your party require a larger, upgraded room, you may be quoted a higher room rate than the price quoted for your residency contract.
As an artist resident, you will have been offered a special residency rate that includes a meal plan for you alone. Meals are not included for spouses/children/companions unless they are also a residency artist . Spouses/children/companions can purchase individual meals, and we ask that you inform us before you come so we can let the kitchen know, especially if they have any allergies or other dietary restrictions.
HOW DO I MAKE A PAYMENT?
To make a deposit for your residency, Canadians can send an e-transfer to etransfer@artscentre.ca,
call us at +1 (902) 582-3842 with a credit card number, send a cheque, or make an online payment below! We do ask for a 50% deposit on acceptance.
RESIDENCY FEE
C$0.00 – C$1293.75
If you are a single artist and your fee is standard, you can make your deposit here. All funds are in CAD dollars.
We lived in the farm house and used the studios and galleries for creating our newest dance work. This was a highly enjoyable and fruitful experience. As a group who usually works in a city, under the constraints of time and space, working at Ross Creek was quite the opposite. Having virtually unlimited access to the studios, a willing and supportive staff and a quiet, inspiring environment to work in, proved to be very conducive to our creative process.