Residency at Hamilton Cotton Factory

The Cotton Factory, in partnership with Hamilton Arts Council, Estonian Artists’ Association and Tartu Artists’ Union, offers the Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX) program. This year, the program is intended for artists who are active in the area covered by the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.

The NAX program is designed to expand the individual artistic practices and professional ambitions of mid-career visual and media artists and build upon the relations between Canadian and Estonian Artists. The program provides airfare, an artist studio in the Cotton Factory and accommodation, as well as a $500.00 CAD weekly residency stipend and an allowance of up to $500 CAD to cover material costs. This is an opportunity to deepen your creative processes and build relationships with Canadian artists.

While in Hamilton you will be partnered with an artist support person that will help you navigate the city and the art scene in Hamilton and beyond.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Initiated in 2017, the Cotton Factory’s Nordic Artist Exchange Residency provides a mid-career artist from Estonia the opportunity to create new works in the inspiring artist studio provided by the Cotton Factory in Hamilton, Ontario over a four to six week period in October 2024.

Our vision is to foster cultural bridges between Estonia and Canada by facilitating artistic exploration and collaboration. The residency, supported by the Cotton Factory, the Hamilton Arts Council, the Estonian Artists’ Association and Tartu Artists’ Union, offers access to studio facilities, engagement with local artists, and opportunities to share knowledge through workshops and talks. There will the opportunity to share your expertise by teaching workshops or delivering an artist talk during your time at the Cotton Factory in Hamilton.

For any questions about the program, please email nax@cottonfactory.ca 

For any questions regarding the application process, please email taotlus@kunstimaja.ee

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

Be a citizen of Estonia or a permanent resident living there.

Be active in the area covered by the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 (Antsla Parish, Elva Parish, Kambja Parish, Kanepi Parish, Kastre Parish, Luunja Parish, Nõo Parish, Otepää Parish, Peipsiääre Parish, Põlva Parish, Rõuge Parish, Räpina Parish, Setomaa Parish, Tartu city, Tartu Parish, Tõrva Parish, Valga Parish, Viljandi town, Võru town and Võru Parish).

Demonstrate commitment to the career of a professional visual artist by having practised professionally in their field for a minimum of five years, produced an independent body of work, and held at least two public exhibitions in a professional context

Be willing to give at least two (2) artists talks or workshops on their art, career and influences in Hamilton or in the Greater Hamilton Area.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

An artist statement: Describe the conceptual basis of your artistic practice and frame your work within a larger context.

A minimum of five samples of your artistic work. Please include a description of the work, title, date created, mediums, and size. Minimum of 72 dpi.

Completion of an application form that includes:

A link to your website or social media pages;
A description of the work that you would like to explore while in Canada;
A four-week detailed plan of what you would like to create.

Applications must be sent in English to taotlus@kunstimaja.ee by 8 July 2024.