Artist in Residence 2026/2027
The Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) at the University of Victoria welcomes applications from artists of all mediums and genres interested in participating in our dynamic interdisciplinary research community.
Purpose: The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program seeks to create mutually beneficial lines of exchange between scholars and artists who share an interest in themes at the intersection of religion/spirituality and society. The residency will enrich the scholarly atmosphere of the CSRS by promoting engagement with the creative arts and will assist artists in sharing and developing their practice within a university environment.
Eligibility: The AIR fellowship is available to artists working in visual, literary, and performing arts, as well as design and new media, whose creative work can be reasonably conducted (e.g. low noise level) in a university office. Canadian and international professional artists, new artists and MFA students are encouraged to apply (applicants are not required to have a university degree).
Value: The successful candidate will be awarded the Chih-Chuang and Yien-Ying Hsieh Scholarship for Art and Spirituality, worth $7,000 for a 12-month fellowship. In addition, the position provides centrally located private office/studio space on the scenic University of Victoria campus; library privileges; a congenial retreat-like setting with regular opportunities for cross-disciplinary engagement with scholars and students from around the world; and opportunities for the showcasing of work through public readings, exhibits or performances (all other expenses including traveling, and accommodations are successful candidate’s responsibility).
Term: AIR fellowships are granted for a minimum three-month and a maximum twelve-month term, beginning September 2027. The stipend will be pro-rated according to the length of the term.
Conditions: The artist in residence is expected to give a public lecture on their work, to take advantage of the private office space provided in the Centre, acknowledge the support of the CSRS in work arising from the fellowship and notify the Centre of any such works, and to attend the activities of the CSRS (e.g., daily informal meetings over coffee and tea to discuss topics related to religion and society, weekly public lectures of other Centre fellows). Fellows do not need to participate in all events but are encouraged to be involved in the thriving academic and social life of the Centre.
Application Procedures: Applications are accepted once a year via email and should include:
- this completed AIR fellowship application form (link below);
- a current CV (maximum 4 pages);
- up to five samples of the applicant's work (not exceeding 6 pages or 15 MB);
- two PDF letters of support for the project from scholars, curators, established artists, or other professionals in the cultural sector, emailed directly to csrs@uvic.ca. The CSRS may also solicit the opinions of other referees.
Please note:
- Applicants are encouraged to visit the Centre to see the office/studio space and to meet with the CSRS director prior to applying.
- Past recipients of the AIR Fellowship are eligible to re-apply after an interval of at least five years.
- Applications are reviewed by members of the CSRS Program Committee and Advisory Council in May/June.
- Candidates are responsible for ensuring their applications are complete.
All materials should be submitted via email to csrs@uvic.ca, to Dr. Rachel Brown, Director.
Next Deadline: Wednesday, April 21, 2027
Use the link below to access our online application form. You can edit your responses on any page before submitting.