Artist in Residence Program
Since 2018 Union House Arts has hosted professional artists and programming in Port Union, NL as part of our artist-in-residence program.
UHA typically accepts applications once annually for our artist residency program, which provides studio space, on-site accommodations, and additional support for professional artists.
Applicant proposals are reviewed and evaluated annually by the UHA programming committee. The program places special emphasis on supporting projects that involve direct engagement with the community, whether through collaborative activities, participatory installations, site-specific intervention or other imaginative ways of sharing your practice. UHA provides selected artists with an opportunity to experiment with their practice, develop their focus or test new ideas in the unique historic district of Port Union.
Starting in 2026, applications are evaluated based on an artist’s practice rather than a project proposal. The practice-based format exists as a way to prioritize the artist’s potentially changing plans, open up the residency to those without the capacity for comprehensive formal documentation, and more accurately assess what work will likely be done at Union House Arts during the residency. Applications will require a letter of intent, a fillable access rider, and support documentation or a portfolio. Detailed lists of application requirements are released with the application checklist that is available in the annual Open Call.
Areas of research that we prioritize and are particularly relevant include: visual culture, contemporary rurality, Indigeneity, land and ocean resources, geology, tourism, and local community histories.
What to Expect Before Applying
ABOUT THE RESIDENCY
Artists that partake in a residency at UHA visit our studios for three and a half weeks between April – November. The residency is a time for experimentation, learning, asking questions, sharing knowledge, and having fun while doing it! We want artists to have the time and space to be able to get out of their comfort zone, experience and connect to a place, and to be curious about new ways of making in their practice.
Artists in Residence are provided with 24/7 studio access, accommodations, specialized equipment, and have access to a knowledgeable staff and board to help support your making during your stay!
Read more to find out about accessibility, equipment offerings, and specialized residencies for families!
ACCESSIBILITY AT UHA
Building
The artist apartments are on the second floor of the UHA building and are equipped with their own bedroom, living space, and bathroom. At this time we do not have an elevator. There are accessible restrooms and a kitchen on the first floor. We currently do not have automatic doors: all doors on site must be manually opened. The front entrance has five steps from the main street and the back door has an accessible ramp entrance.
For detailed notes on accessibility, please see our access page.
Language
The UHA staff and board speak and write fluently in English.
Transport
Port Union can be accessed by car via Route 230 off the Trans Canada Highway, near Clarenville. It is approximately a 3.5 hour drive from St. John’s. If you do not have a vehicle, there is a daily taxi to and from St. John’s. Communities on the Bonavista peninsula are dispersed and having a vehicle during your residency would be beneficial to your residency experience but is not entirely necessary.
Weather
Please note that Port Union may experience extreme weather conditions during the winter including: ice, snow, freezing rain, harsh winds, and at times unsafe driving conditions. Should the weather be unsafe during your residency arrival or departure dates, we are happy to adjust the residency period accordingly.
Conduct
UHA will not tolerate discrimination or violent acts in any capacity. This applies to all visitors, volunteers, staff, and artists-in-residence. Contact information for the Board and Staff will be available to you if you have any concerns. We require all artists in residence to read through our Code of Conduct prior to arrival.
UHA strives to be a welcoming and accessible space for all. We acknowledge that accessibility in a historic building will always be a work-in-progress. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of the space.
STUDIO PRACTICE
An artist may make their studio their own by using tacks, tape, or by making marks or drawings on the walls. As long as it can be painted over and easily filled in after you leave you can go for it! For artists working with messy materials we ask that you request cardboard floor coverings before starting work. We also have a collection of art, story, and poetry books that you are welcome and encouraged to use while you are here.
We also have an Outdoor Studio Space that has a brick floor and is covered by a 10’ x 12’ awning with a wooden table attached to our deck. The outdoor studio space is located in our community service garden and is open for artist in residence use. We recommend not leaving any materials outside for long periods of time without supervision and to bring any materials or in progress work inside when not present.
During open hours, you may choose to invite visitors into your studio. This is encouraged but not a requirement. Please let staff know if you are happy to speak with visitors or if you would prefer not to be disturbed. This is an individual choice and can change daily!
Some other studio supports include:
- Flexible use of second floor studio spaces with 24-hour ocean-view studio access
- Desk spaces, including adjustable standing desks
- Electrical outlets
- Wi-Fi
- Shaded outdoor maker’s platform
- RadRunner folding e-bike and universal helmet
- Letterpress Print Studio (in partnership with the Sir William Ford Coaker Foundation)
- Weaving and Natural Dye Infrastructure
- New Media Equipment
- UHA will provide support and consultation with Artist-in-Residence while developing community-engaged activities
We also have a detailed list of equipment and materials that you can read about HERE.
Artists should have a general idea of what equipment they would like to use during their residency prior to applying.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
You are the safety expert for your own practice and we expect you to adhere to safe studio practices while you are at UHA. Artists are responsible for disclosing to UHA about any hazardous materials they plan to use in advance of their arrival.
Artists are expected to avoid using materials that cause fumes and could affect other people working in the building as we do not have ventilation systems. For materials that emit fumes or dust particles, artists may use the Outdoor Maker’s Space in our garden. Artists should carefully consider the impact and disposal of chemicals within the community and space of UHA; toxic, carcinogenic, environmentally unfriendly and non-biodegradable materials should be avoided when possible.
For health, safety and accessibility accommodations artists will be provided with a fillable access rider to outline any needs for us to consider.
SHIPPING AND MATERIAL SOURCING
UHA is located in a small rural town on the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador with no specialized art supplies stores located nearby. Artists are encouraged to ship any materials they need for their work directly to UHA prior to their residency.
Due to our rural location, shipping prices can be costly. We advise artists that, when able, to travel with their materials to mitigate costs associated with shipping. Should shipping be necessary, we recommend using Canada Post as we are not always at the gallery to ensure we can receive packages at our door. Artists will be asked to notify us of any supplies you will be shipping and to provide us with tracking and confirmation numbers.
Artists are responsible for organizing the return shipping for their work and materials. Should materials need to be picked up by a courier when the artist is not present we will work with you to schedule a pick up time.
SPECIALIZED RESIDENCIES
FAMILY RESIDENCY:
Our Family Residency is an opportunity designated to artist families with children or young family members who would like to bring their family to help support their practice over the course of the residency.
Artists that apply for the family residency will be asked to indicate that on their application and to provide some brief notes on any support they may need during their residency. It’s important to us that parent artists aren’t competing with one another for one opportunity, which is why it is combined with our regular call for artists.
If any of the selected artists require family support, we will work with the artist to accommodate. Please note that childcare supports are pending funding.
WEAVING RESIDENCY
In 2022, Union House Arts acquired a portable loom through Come Home Year Funding. Our loom is a 24” Leclerc Compact four-shaft loom. Alongside our loom we have two wooden shuttles, a hand-crank bobbin winder, and a thirteen yard warping board, as well as some hooks and bobbins if needed.
As a part of our application process we reserve at least once space for a weaving artist. Please indicate on your application if you self-identify as a weaver and will need access to our loom.
Please note, artists who apply for a weaving-focused residency must show that they are knowledgeable and trained on how to operate a loom.
Any questions regarding our loom can be directed to unionhousearts@gmail.com
OTHER PERKS
During the residency period, there may be additional opportunities such as youth mentorships, studio visits, artist talks, or other special events. The UHA committee works with selected artists to create residencies that support both the artist and the community’s development. While it is not expected that the applicant has an existing relationship with Port Union, the committee will consider the relevancy of the proposal in the context of Port Union and the wider region and histories of Ktaqamkuk when making their selections.
Maker’s Night
In conjunction with our artist-in-residence program, we host open studio style evenings for creative and curious local residents to meet and work alongside visiting artists.
Food and Friendship
We love getting to know our visiting artists during their time at UHA, usually with a feast or two.
Artist Workshops
We do our best to secure funds to pay visiting artists to offer workshops during their residencies.
Community Garden and Outdoor Makers Space
The UHA community garden is cared for collectively by artists, volunteers, and neighbours. Artists-in-Residence are encouraged to contribute a few hours during their stay. Each season the community gathers to garden collectively—planting in the spring, tending through the summer, and tucking the beds in for winter. Volunteer days are filled with food, fire, and friendship, as we celebrate the simple act of caring for the land together.
You can read more about the Garden and Makers Space Here.
Context: Place and History
in Port Union and on the Bonavista Peninsula
Port Union is a small town located on the Bonavista Peninsula that is the founding home of the Fisherman’s Protective Union (FPU). Located in a sheltered harbour, the FPU fought for fishermen’s rights in the 20th century to secure regulated fish prices, work wages and workplace benefits for fishermen who were traditionally taken advantage of by the merchant system.
Port Union is a rabbit-hole of history —you can find out more about this Union-Built town by checking out a few of these introductory resources: Our History: Sir William Ford Coaker Foundation, Historic Places, NL Government, Memorial University
Within the history of the Bonavista Peninsula and Ktaqmkuk, UHA is located in Beothuk territory in an area that is also a place of first-contact for settler-colonialism across Turtle Island. During your time on the peninsula you will likely come across historical narratives that focus on western ideas of British-colonial discovery.
You can learn more about the Beothuk and colonial history on the Bonavista Peninsula by visiting a few of these introductory resources: The Beothuk Institute, Newfoundland Heritage, Newfoundland Landfall Argument Memorial University, Canadian Encyclopedia,
The Bonavista Peninsula is also home to the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark with numerous geological sites , fossils, and history to learn about! You can read more about the geology of our area by visiting these resources: Geosite Map, Port Union: Haootia Fossil, Memorial University Gazette
Local Amenities
in Port Union and on the Bonavista Peninsula
We encourage you to get out of the studio and spend time getting to know our community and our region while you’re here.
Check out these local organizations, businesses, and sights to see for a sense of what is happening on the peninsula!
Artist-run shops and galleries: Wild Cove Pottery, Barbara Houston Art Studio + Sheep Shop, ArtVista Studio, Brim Pottery Studio + Boutique, Toporama Prints, Chris Ricketts Fine Art Gallery (in Round Da Bay Inn), Women’s Institute Craft Shop (Port Union) , Kind Seas, English Harbour Arts Centre
Community Organizations and Attractions: Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark, Root Cellars of Elliston, Bonavista Biennale, Sir William Ford Coaker Heritage Foundation (Archival Letterpress Facilities), Home from the Sea Sealers Interpretation Centre, Hike Discovery (A network of hiking trails all over the peninsula), The Green Family Forge, Trinity Historical Society, Vista Family Resource Centre, Bonavista Living and Bonavista Creative, The Garrick Theatre, Rising Tide Theatre, Champney’s West Aquarium, Trinity Eco Tours, Sea of Whales Adventures, Bonavista YMCA
Other innovative local products and experiences that we love! Roots Rants and Roars Local Food Festival, Clarenville Farm and Market, Three Mile Ridge Farm, Newfoundland Salt Company, Port Rexton Brewing Co., Two Whales Coffee Shop, The Boreal Diner, Bonavista Coffee, Bonavista Social Club, East Coast Glow, Fishers’ Loft, Artisan Inn & Twine Loft, Sweet Rock Ice Cream, Oh My Cheeses, The Quintal Cafe, Bonavista Bicycle Picnics, Maudie’s Tea Room, Little Dairy King, The Lovely Grand Bakeshop, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate, Bonavista Brewing, Coastal E-Bikes,
Long Story Short,
We want you to get to know our community and the people who make it happen here!
Take some time when imagining your residency in Port Union, what questions do you have? What experiences might lead you to answers?
Our calls are usually put out annually early in the winter for the following year and are announced first via our news page and our mailing list. Join our mailing list and follow along on social media for reminders – we can’t wait to hear from you!