Call for Proposals
Location: Port Union, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Duration: 3 to 4 weeks
Slots: May through October (excluding August), dates negotiable
Supports: Accommodation, Kitchen, Workspace
Artists’ Cost: Transportation, Food, Materials
Deadline: 28 February 2019, 23:59 Newfoundland Standard Time (+3:30)
Notification: 15 March 2019
OVERVIEW:
Union House Arts (UHA) is a new community artspace committed to supporting work being produced by artists and craftspeople through place-specific dialogues and collaborative programming in Port Union.
UHA is currently accepting applications for its inaugural Artist-in-Residence program, which will provide studio space and additional professional support for two artists during the 2019 season.
Applicant proposals are reviewed and evaluated by the UHA programming committee. When preparing your application, keep in mind that the UHA Artist-in-Residence program will place 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. The UHA Artist-in-Residence program provides selected artists with opportunity to experiment with their practice, develop their focus, or test new ideas in the unique historic district of Port Union.
Areas of research that are particularly relevant include: visual culture, contemporary rurality, indigeneity, land and ocean resources, geology, and local community histories.
During the residency period, there may be additional opportunities such as youth mentorships, studio visits, artist talks, or visiting the after-school art program (starting September 2019). The UHA committee will work 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 when making their selections.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Building
The artist apartments are on the second floor of the UHA building and at this time we do not have a lift. Studio space can be made available on the first floor and alternative living arrangements may be able to arranged. There are accessible restrooms and a kitchen on the first floor. We currently do not have automatic doors, all of which must be manually opened. The front entrance has five steps from the main street and the back door has an accessible ramp entrance.
Language
The UHA committee speak and write fluently in English with limited speaking, reading, and writing knowledge of French.
Events and Exhibitions
The majority of our events and exhibitions are free or by donation. UHA fundraisers may be ticketed or pay-what-you-want.
Community
UHA will not tolerate discrimination or violent acts in any capacity. This applies to all visitors, volunteers, staff, and artists-in-residence.
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 prior to submitting your application.
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.
STUDIO PRACTICE AT UHA:
- 24-Hour studio access
- Desk spaces available
- Electrical outlets
- Free WiFi
- Flexible use of second floor studio spaces
- Media room with sound and projector set-up (available when not in use for exhibitions)
- UHA committee will provide support and consultation with Artist-in-Residence while developing community-engaged activities
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the studio space prior to submitting your application.
LIVING SPACE AT UHA:
- Bedroom (double bed) and sitting room with ensuite bathroom (shower, sink, toilet) on second floor
- Linens provided
- Washer and dryer available
- Shared kitchen on ground floor
It is the responsibility of the artist to care for their living space during the time of their residency. This includes maintaining cleanliness of the artist’s apartment and all shared spaces. We have limited staff resources and your contribution to the upkeep of the space is important and much appreciated.
MORE ABOUT UHA
UHA is a division of the Sir William Ford Coaker Heritage Foundation, also known as the Coaker Foundation. The Coaker Foundation was formed in 1995 and is a not-for-profit, Registered Charitable Organization volunteer-based association dedicated to the preservation and careful development of the Historic District of Port Union. Over the past 23 years, the Coaker Foundation has worked hard to preserve and redevelop heritage properties in Port Union, share the story of the Fishermen’s Protective Union (FPU), and support community development by creating employment, learning opportunities, and hosting social gatherings.
The Coaker Foundation has moved towards creative practice as a means of building community and partnerships, such as the development of the Cultural Craft Initiative and their involvement with the Bonavista Biennale. UHA has been established to be a permanent space for artists and makers, exhibitions, community events and programming, and collaborations with organizations across the province and beyond.
Questions or concerns? Email Jane at unionhousearts[at]gmail.com
