Residency for Researchers or Curators in Visual Arts with Grant
With a view to combining research and creation, the Foundation awards an annual grant of CAD 5,000 to CAD 10,000 $ (depending on the scope of the project) along with a four-week residency to a recognized specialist in the visual arts (researcher, critic, curator, etc.), environmental sciences, or any other related discipline with an interest in the intersections between the visual arts and environmental issues.
Call for projects
Through its commitment, the Grantham Foundation wishes to provide significant support for the development and dissemination of thoughtful and innovative projects whose subject matter, materials, or approach recognize the importance of the aesthetic, social, and global implications of current environmental issues. While not making it a requirement, the Grantham Foundation encourages specialists to propose projects inspired by the specific characteristics of the environment in which the Foundation is located.
The residency program consists of a four-week research stay at the Foundation, followed by a presentation of work in progress to the general public (final residency presentation). This stay offers specialists in residence time to reflect and write at the Foundation. Meetings with the Foundation's artistic director will take place throughout the project to provide support for the process. For this phase, the winner will receive a grant of CAD 5,000 $.
In some cases, the collaboration with the Foundation may continue in the following months in order to follow up on the project (phase 2). This decision—made jointly by the winner and the Foundation's management—will be based on the progress of the work during the residency and the relevance of the avenues envisaged for the project. This could include, for example, an exhibition, workshops, a publication, a conference, a symposium, or any other form of public sharing of the research conducted. Additional support of up to CAD 5,000 $ may be granted for this second phase. The amount allocated will be determined by the Foundation and the recipient, based on the nature of the project and the costs incurred for its completion.
Any work produced as a result of research undertaken at the Foundation must acknowledge the Foundation's support.
A lump sum allowance of up to CAD 1,000 $ is available to cover part of the travel expenses of researchers whose place of residence is located more than 500 km from Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham.
Eligibility
The program is open to specialists residing in Quebec, Canada, or abroad, whether or not they are affiliated with a research institution. Independent researchers, art critics, and exhibition curators are also eligible.
Submitted projects must be consistent with the mission and objectives of the Grantham Foundation. By visual arts, the expert committee refers to practices that are recognized as such professionally: photography, installation, sculpture, painting, graphic arts, and performance art, as well as sound, digital, and media arts.
Research related to exhibition curation is eligible.
Duos are eligible, and the conditions remain the same.
Work related to a course of study, a thesis project, or the publication of a thesis is not eligible.
Specialists from abroad are asked to note that they are responsible for completing the administrative procedures required to enter Canada and remain in Quebec for the duration of their stay.
Location of the residence
The Foundation is located next to a small river, in a wooded area on the edge of a forest, in the francophone municipality of Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham, some 100 km east of Montreal. A living space, workspace and exhibition space all at once, it was designed to foster an all-season dialogue between the indoor spaces and the outside surroundings. The interior has an open floor plan, with a bed and a kitchen that can be hidden away.
Residents have access to the wooded area, the river and the adjacent forest. Site-specific work is permitted, even encouraged, but it must be carried out with a sense of respect for the integrity of the place. No objects may be permanently installed inside or outside the Foundation.
To find out more about the location, click here.
Duration and dates of stay
Four-week continuous working stay. The exact dates of the stay are determined with the future residents. Please note that the months available for the residency in 2027 are January, February, July, and August.
Submission of the application
Applicants must present:
a presentation page with specialists 's name and contact details (email, postal address and phone number)
a general presentation of the research approach (1 page maximum)
the concept of the project, specifying its relevance relative to the Foundation’s mission, as well as a desired schedule for the stay (1 page maximum)
an overview of expected results (1 page maximum)
a curriculum vitae (3 pages maximum)
1 to 2 examples of previous publications
if applicable: duly captioned documentation of 1 to 2 curatorial projects or other relevant projects (maximum 5 pages)
Documents must be assembled in this order in a single PDF (maximum 1 Gb). The file must be submitted by WeTransfer to projets@fondationgrantham.org.
An acknowledgment of receipt is sent within two working days following reception of the file. Only complete applications that comply with these guidelines will be considered by the selection committee.
Selection process
The Foundation's committee of experts acts as the selection committee. The winner will be chosen following a two-stage selection process: a preliminary selection of two or three candidates, followed by a videoconference interview.
All candidates will receive a response at the end of the selection process, no later than September 12, 2026.
Selection criteria
Overall quality of the application
Relevance and originality of the project in relation to the Foundation's mandate
Innovative nature of the research proposal in the fields of arts and the environment
Feasibility of the project
