Sable island Artist in Residence Project – Scope and Expectations
The beauty, mystery, and magical quality of Sable Island – now a national park, the Sable Island National Park Reserve (SINPR) – coupled with its extraordinary historical and cultural importance in Atlantic Canada gives it an allure that attracts interest from around the world.
However, the ecological sensitivity of the Island means that very few visitors can directly experience the Island each year, and for each of those there is a significant financial cost.
Many artists have been to the Island over the years and many more would like to go. In the past, there have been few opportunities for artists to work on the island for more than a day at a time. Parks Canada recognizes that an opportunity to go to the Island for a more extended period would be broadly beneficial. For this reason, the Sable Island Institute (SII) and partners are establishing an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program in the SINPR.
In addition to providing time for an artist to gain experiences and insights through living and working on Sable Island during the residency, the artist will also have access to an extensive archive of photos, stories, research and personal experience covering the history and environment of the Island. We are looking for artists who will use their art to explore and interpret this resource to bring the environmental, ecological, historical and/or cultural qualities of the Island to life and convey their essence. By sharing this work with the broader community, the unique natural and cultural values of the Island can then be experienced by people who will never be able to go there themselves.
In recognition of the loading constraints of the aircraft servicing the Island and the need to carry other passengers and cargo, the artist would need to ‘travel light’ and bring only essential material and equipment to the island. It is therefore expected that the time spent there would mainly be used to explore, observe, document and reflect on the Island and its qualities. Any production work requiring heavy or bulky equipment would have to be done on the mainland.
For additional information about Sable Island, the Sable Island Institute, and the SINPR:
https://sableislandinstitute.org/
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/sable
Please note: In 2025 the program will be open only to artists living in the four Atlantic Provinces.
Description of the Residency
During the first year of the program (2025) one artist will be selected for on-island work in October. In subsequent years there may be one or two residencies a year – most likely in the fall but possibly also in spring if compatible with other demands for space.
The residency will include travel to and from the island, up to two weeks of on-island accommodation, and technical and logistical support as needed. On and off the island the artist will be helped to access archival materials and encouraged to engage with other island researchers so that their art is informed by this broader context.
While on the island, the artist will be expected to communicate to the public through social media at least twice a week and then, when back on the mainland, to hold a public presentation within six months describing their project and experience.
The artist would be encouraged, but not required, to eventually donate an item generated through the residency to the Sable Island Institute for its own archive.
A unique opportunity
The experience the residency offers is extraordinary: extended time in a uniquely beautiful, remote island within an exposed and dynamic natural environment; and relatively visible wildlife little affected by human contact or interference. It also offers an opportunity to learn about the impact of human interaction with a remote place, and how climate change affects the marine environment.
Background research will also reveal a dramatic past closely tied to the history and development of Nova Scotia, and provide opportunities to learn from other researchers on and off the island. This can then support the integration of art with science and conservation.
Sable Challenges
- A remote location with basic shared accommodation and facilities.
- Highly variable weather.
- Aircraft travel weight & cargo limitations & restrictions.
- Weather that affects travel schedule, outdoor work, and occasionally, connectivity.
- On-island exploration mainly on foot, walking in sand. Note: Access to transportation is very limited. The island is about 35 km long so distance is a consideration in planning study locations, particularly if equipment is carried. Occasional vehicle support may be available depending on other operational requirements but cannot be guaranteed.
On-island Accommodation, Services, and Orientation
There will be a private room in a house for sleeping but otherwise the accommodation is shared with SII personnel. Food prep and kitchen duties are cooperative. Food is provided by SII but the menu options are limited so advance notice is required of any dietary preferences or allergies. Very specific needs must be met by the participants themselves.
Internet connectivity is through Starlink satellite service. Cell phones must be wifi capable. Calls can only be made at the Sable Island Station.
There is very limited on-island medical support – essentially first aid and emergency evacuation, if necessary.
Travel to and from Stanfield International Airport is by small aircraft or helicopter through http://www.sableaviation.ca/ and https://visionairhelicopters.ca/.
Orientation and on-island support is provided by Parks Canada and Sable Island Institute.
Bursary
The selected artist will be eligible to apply for a bursary of $500/wk while on island. This is intended for self-supporting/unwaged artists. A further sum of up to $500 is available for off-island production costs and up to $500 for exhibition fees upon submission of receipts.
Artist Responsibilities/Expectations
Off-island Preparation:
It will be an advantage to participants to have
- Outdoors experience.
- Remote location experience.
- Comfort with flying in small aircraft (see relevant websites, links provided above).
Participants are responsible for:
- Providing all personal medications for the duration of the residency, including extra for an additional 10 days in case of travel delays.
- Clothing and footwear suitable for inclement weather and rough terrain.
- The cost of all travel from their home to and from Stanfield Airport, and accommodation while on the mainland – including that arising from last minute weather delays.
- All art supplies and equipment needed for the on-island work (including protective gear against sand and sea salt).
- Providing advance notice of general dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, non-dairy foods) and also dietary allergies.
- Providing any very specific foods/supplements required to meet dietary needs and/or allergies.
- First Aid training (recommended).
- Review of all SINPR briefing materials including guidelines and regulations.
- Acquisition of Parks Canada permits (if required) before the start of the residency.
- Application to other funders if additional support is needed to complete the residency.
On-Island Responsibilities:
- Participants are expected to take all reasonable steps to protect their own safety and comfort and the safety and comfort of others.
- Participants are expected to adhere to SINPR regulations regarding interactions with terrain, wildlife, fauna and flora.
- Comply with SII’s operational guidelines, including a daily safety check-in schedule.
Public Outreach and Engagement during and after the Residency
- The participant must make a minimum of 2 public posts/week on SII’s social media while on island. SII will assist and provide guidance..
- A public presentation/artist’s talk or workshop within six months following the residency.
- A piece of art documented for future exhibition and inclusion in Sable Island Institute’s on-line archive within 12 months. SII would seek the right to show/exhibit/display the artwork on occasion as part of the promotion of the program or, potentially, to promote a fundraiser, for a 2-year period following the residency.
- The artist may wish to donate a piece of their work to the Institute that can be used for future fundraising. This would be voluntary.
Applications
Prior to application please thoroughly review the Parks Canada SINPR website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/sable
Eligible artists must be professionally recognized as described in the Status of Artist Act, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/s-19.6/ including but not limited to the following criteria:
- Have peer recognition.
- Have a history of public presentation.
- Have training appropriate to the artist’s chosen discipline (including mentorship and/or apprenticeship).
- Earn income, fully or in part, from artistic activity.
- Demonstrate serious intent and devotion of energy to practicing.
Artists will be asked to submit an online application including:
- A cover letter (PDF format).
- Current contact information loaded directly onto the portal application site.
- A description of the proposed residency project (750 words max in PDF format) including:
- Goals and Process.
- Expected outcome from the residency.
- Future public dissemination or distribution of outcomes
Note: The statement should include reflections on how the work could expand the public perception of the Island culturally, environmentally or in other ways. It is recognized that once the artist has had direct experience on the island, the scope and focus of the concept may change.
- Relevant, extra-curricular experience that will aid in the applicant’s successful tenure in the unique life/work conditions of Sable Island (250 words max in PDF format).
- A current CV (or list of most recent relevant projects and exhibitions) in chronological point form. It should not exceed 2 pages in PDF format OR 750 words if written as narrative biography.
- Examples of creative practice to support the proposal :
- 10 images of visual art (max 500kb per image)
- 3 samples of literary works (1000 words per sample)
- 3 video samples/excerpts of time-based, and visual and performative art (2 minutes max per sample, file size and format TBD) including:
- Music/sound/audio projects
- Dance/movement-based projects
- Dramatic/theatrical projects
- Poetic/spoken word projects
- Time-based visual performance or digital art
- Other
- Support for examples of creative practice (in PDF format):
- Visual art captions, suggested format
- Title/year/medium/dimensions
- Video submissions for time-based practices:
- Title/year/duration of full project
- 250 word narrative description of each project
- A 100-word bio and a head shot that can be used for publicity materials.
- Letters of recommendation or support (2 to 5) in PDF format.
- An indication of the materials and equipment that the applicant will want to bring to the island and the facilities that will be required (e.g., storage, bench space, wash-up facilities) in order to undertake the work.
- Any limitations in the time availability of the applicant in October owing to other commitments (e.g., teaching) should be noted.
- NB. Proposals for formal collaborations with scientists and historians on and off the Island are welcomed.
All parts of the application – written material and supporting digital files – must be uploaded through the application page. Information can be combined to fit the categories on the portal.
Deadline: Applications must be received by 2400hrs Sunday March 30th 2025.
Application Review Process:
- Applications will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and depth and quality of engagement with the Island’s natural and cultural values. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- The review will include an assessment by Parks Canada staff to ensure compatibility with SINPR policies and mandate.
- A list of qualified applicants will be prepared.
- A committee of 3-5 people including artists/arts administrators with knowledge of cultural sector and/or arts practice and a representative of the Sable Island Institute will prepare a ranked shortlist based on the following criteria:
- the innovation of the proposal in representing the qualities of the island through the work and communicating them to the public
- the artistic merit of the project
- the ability of the artist to carry out the project based on their qualifications and experience.
The first ranked applicant will be invited to participate in the program. If they cannot, the second ranked applicant will be contacted, and so on.
- A registration fee of $250 will be required from the selected artist. This fee will be reimbursed if the residency is completed or if the artist withdraws within three months of the departure date.
- If the residency becomes open because of withdrawal, a second candidate will be approached to take up the opportunity.
- For larger projects requiring more lead time, applicants may apply two years in advance – i.e., apply in 2025 for 2027.
For ease of communication with SII and on-Island personnel, and aircraft operations, participants should be able to communicate effectively in English.
Evaluation and selection criteria will be made available upon request.
A shortlist will be prepared within 3 weeks of the close of applications. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to participate in a remote interview. A final decision will be made within 6 weeks of the close of applications. All applicants will be informed of the decision.
For more information or clarification contact: Anne Muecke (anne.l.muecke@gmail.com).
