Artist Residencies

Space to Make.
Time to Grow.

Twelve residencies per year. All paid. All designed to give artists the time, space, and support they need to do meaningful work — with and for Edmonton communities.

Three Paths. One Commitment.

Indigenous elder demonstrating traditional hide painting techniques to a group of attentive learners in the Lantern Arts studio

Year-Round Program

Elder-in-Residence

The Elder-in-Residence program honours the knowledge, artistry, and cultural authority of Indigenous elders by creating a formal, compensated role within our organization. Elders-in-Residence lead workshops, guide creative programming, and share traditional art forms — beadwork, quillwork, hide painting, storytelling, and weaving — with the broader Lantern community.

We currently hold up to four Elder-in-Residence positions at any given time, with overlapping terms to ensure continuity of programming and cultural guidance.

Duration
12 months, renewable
Monthly Stipend
$1,200/month
Studio Time
Dedicated space, flexible hours
Eligibility
Indigenous elders · Any tradition
Apply for This Residency

6-Month Program

Youth Artist Residency

The Youth Artist Residency is a six-month intensive program for emerging artists aged 18–26. Residents receive full studio access, a monthly materials stipend, and one-on-one mentorship from an established Canadian artist of their choosing (from our approved mentor network).

The program culminates in a solo or duo exhibition in our main gallery space, a modest stipend for exhibition costs, and a portfolio review with a panel of Edmonton arts professionals. Four residencies per year are offered, with priority for BIPOC and low-income artists.

Duration
6 months (two cycles/year)
Materials Stipend
$400/month
Mentorship
Bi-weekly 1-on-1 sessions
Eligibility
Ages 18–26 · Edmonton area · Any medium
Apply for This Residency
Young artist in the Lantern Arts studio working on a large canvas under warm studio lighting, surrounded by reference images and sketches
Lead mural artist consulting with neighbourhood residents over large design sketches spread across a table, outside on a sunny day

Neighbourhood Project

Community Mural Residency

The Community Mural Residency embeds an artist in a specific Edmonton neighbourhood for an entire project cycle — from community consultation through design development to final installation. Residents lead the creative vision while working collaboratively with neighbourhood residents, including training and hiring local co-painters.

Each residency produces one large-format mural (minimum 400 sq ft) on a designated public building. Residents receive a project fee plus a neighbourhood stipend for the duration of the engagement.

Duration
4–6 months per project
Project Fee
$6,000–$9,000 total
Co-Painter Budget
Separate; resident manages
Eligibility
All visual artists · Mural experience an asset
Apply for This Residency

What Residents Say

"The Youth Residency gave me six months to stop surviving and start making. I came in with a phone full of sketches and left with a full exhibition and a mentor who changed how I think about my work. Lantern didn't just give me a studio — they gave me a career."
Portrait of Darnell Whitecap
Darnell Whitecap
Youth Residency, 2023 · Painter, Edmonton
"Being Elder-in-Residence is not just a job. It's a relationship. Lantern treats traditional knowledge with respect — they listen, they adapt, and they make space for our ways. My granddaughter is now coming to the studio. That means everything."
Portrait of Elder Rose Swifthawk
Elder Rose Swifthawk
Elder-in-Residence, 2022–present · Cree beadwork artist
"The Mural Residency was the most meaningful professional experience of my life. Not because of the mural — though I love it — but because of the people. Eighty-year-old neighbours, teenagers, new Canadians who had never held a paintbrush. We made it together."
Portrait of Mei Fournier
Mei Fournier
Mural Residency, 2024 · Muralist & illustrator

Apply Now

Start Your Application

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for Elder-in-Residence and Mural Residency. Youth Artist Residency has two annual intakes: applications open in March (for June start) and September (for January start). There is no wrong way to apply — we care about your ideas and your community connection, not your CV.

Before You Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a formal arts degree or exhibition history to apply?
No. We specifically do not require formal arts credentials. We're more interested in your creative vision, your connection to community, and your commitment to making work. Lived experience counts as much as institutional experience here.
Can I apply for more than one residency?
Yes, but please submit separate applications for each residency you're applying to, and indicate which is your first preference. We find single-focus applications stronger than general ones.
What does "paid at Edmonton artist rate" mean for the Mural Residency?
We follow the CARFAC minimum fee schedule for public art commissions, adjusted for local cost of living. For mural projects, the project fee ranges from $6,000 to $9,000 depending on scale, plus a separate budget for co-painters and materials that you manage. We are transparent about the budget at the application stage.
Who reviews the applications?
Applications are reviewed by a panel that includes at least two community members (often past Lantern participants or residents), one board member, and one Lantern staff member. We use a rubric that scores community connection, creative vision, and fit with the specific residency — not prestige or production history.
What if I have accessibility needs or need language support during the application process?
Please contact us at hello@lanternarts.ca before submitting your application. We can provide application support in French, Cree, and Arabic; accommodate audio or video submissions in place of written statements; and ensure the in-person interview portion is fully accessible. We want your application to represent you fully.