MANITOBA ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM
November 28, 2005

The Manitoba Arts Council is pleased to announce the Deep Bay Artists' Residency in Riding Mountain National Park of Canada.

In partnership with Riding Mountain National Park of Canada, an artist live/work space at Deep Bay is being renovated (to be completed spring 2006), and a program has been developed by the Manitoba Arts Council to offer artists, artistic directors and arts administrators the opportunity to create and work in an idyllic natural setting.

“This groundbreaking project has been three years in development, and is the result of a very positive and innovative partnership,” says Council Chair, Dr. Judith Flynn. “On September 3, 2005, a beautiful early fall day at the Deep Bay location, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Riding Mountain National Park of Canada.”

Parks Canada spokesperson, Don Huisman says, “This exciting new partnership with the Manitoba Arts Council represents a new purpose for the historic building and a new era in the proud tradition of Riding Mountain inspired art. National parks feed our minds through science, nature and history. National parks can also feed our souls. This Artist Residency program will feed our souls through art. This program will turn the spirit of Clear Lake into wonderful art for all of us to enjoy.”

The residency cabin, a former Royal Canadian Air Force cabin, is a federal heritage building dating back to the 1930’s. It is being fully renovated to its original condition.

The initial Artist Residency program will be available from June 26, 2006 to October 29, 2006, with the time period extending earlier into the spring in upcoming years. This is the only multidisciplinary artist residency available in Manitoba, however 2 similar programs exist in other national parks.

Independent artists will have the opportunity to apply for stays of 2, 4, or 6 weeks to undertake creative projects. One and two weeks stays are offered to artistic directors and arts administrators wishing to work on planning and visioning related to their organization. An integral component of the residencies will be a public presentation in the community and the opportunity to interact with the artists, residents and visitors of the Riding Mountain region.

Dr. Flynn explains, “While the residency is designed to provide time and space for creative thought and production, when artists, artistic directors and arts administrators connect with the broader community it creates a greater sense of understanding of the role of the arts and the artist. Both formal and informal interaction can lead to all sorts of exciting opportunities and artistic developments in the future.”

The Deep Bay Artists' Residency at Riding Mountain National Park of Canada has a program deadline date of February 15, 2006. Artists working in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Full program guidelines are available at www.artscouncil.mb.ca.

The Manitoba Arts Council provides funds to professional Manitoba artists and arts organizations. It is an arm’s length agency of the Government of Manitoba and is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

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Media contact: Dana Mohr, Manager, Communications

(204) 945-0646; or toll-free: 1-866-994-2787;
dmohr@artscouncil.mb.ca

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