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Anvil Centre announces artists in residence program for 2017

Calling all artists! The Anvil Centre is now accepting applications for its inaugural artists in residence program, which kicks off January 2017.
Biliana Velkova
Arts coordinator Biliana Velkova (front) and arts programmer Kristina Fiedrich are encouraging all types of artists and groups to apply for the 2017 artists in residence program at Anvil Centre. There are 12 spots to fill.

Calling all artists!

The Anvil Centre is now accepting applications for its inaugural artists in residence program, which kicks off January 2017.

There are 12 spots to fill (one artist or collective for each month) for the self-directed residency, according to arts coordinator Biliana Velkova. During the four-week period, artists can come and go at their leisure, using the Anvil Centre to research, develop and produce new or ongoing bodies of work.

“We have state-of-the-art facilities here on the fourth floor,” Velkova told the Record, adding there’s a printing press onsite, a dance studio with a sprung floor and musical rooms.

Each studio is equipped with furniture, sinks, power outlets and a built-in sound system, she said. Artists who get a residency will also be able to access secure office and storage space. The only expense to the artist, Velkova noted, is materials related to their craft.

Anvil Centre is looking for all types of artists – local and regional – and collaborative groups, working in mediums such as sculpture, print, fibre, drawing, painting, writing and literary arts, music and dance.

Velkova said the city wanted to launch the program for a couple of reasons. First, there’s a need for studio space, not only in New West, but also “across the board.” Many creative minds don’t have a dedicated environment, often using their kitchen table or basement to work in, she said.

The intent was to also attract locals to the downtown building. In exchange for being able to use the cultural hub on Columbia Street, artists have to facilitate an outreach program sometime during their month-long stint.

“Something like a painting demo, a studio visit,” Velkova explained. “It’s a chance for the community to see an artist at work and find out more in depth about their process, their concepts and their way of thinking.”

Once the program gets going, staff want to organize an exhibit at Anvil Centre, featuring the artists’ work.

As for applications, Velkova isn’t sure how many she’ll get, but she said she’s hoping for a diverse number.

By the end of 2017, should the program gel well with the rest of Anvil Centre’s offerings, it might become an annual occurrence.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 15. Applicants need to submit, in one PDF document, a project summary and bio, a detailed project proposal and outreach program, a current CV and a minimum of five images of past work. For all the details, visit tinyurl.com/jqnk7qz.