Craft Department at Harbourfront Centre

Artist-in-Residence (A-i-R) Programme

Founded in 1974 The Craft Studio is a unique Canadian institution that assists recent graduates and emerging craftspeople to establish professional careers; and exposes the public to the world of contemporary craft through residencies, exhibitions, and events. Harbourfront Centre’s Craft Department is the only post-graduate national training facility for craftspeople, recognized by Canadian Heritage.

Residencies are designed to assist and promote recent graduates and emerging craftspeople by providing time, facilities, professional development programmes and resources to create and develop work. Talent and commitment are encouraged in a community that advocates contemporary craft expression. The Craft Studio residency programme acts as a stepping stone between school and a professional career. It contributes to public education by providing a venue where the public can observe craftspeople at work.

We encourage serious craftspeople, across Canada and internationally to consider a residency in The Craft Studio. We invite submissions and maintain an up-to-date file of applicants interested in current and future openings. If you live outside the area and are planning a visit to Toronto, interviews can be arranged with sufficient notice. Out-of-town applicants must provide for their own accommodation and travel costs for the interview.

Residencies include full use of equipped studios, lectures & workshops by national and international renowned craftspeople and artists, conferences, exhibitions and teaching opportunities. All materials and supplies must be provided by the residents. Residency does not include housing. If you are applying from outside Canada, you must make your own arrangements for a visa to live in this country.

Please browse the menu on your left for more information about Harbourfront Centre's Artist-in-Resident Programme.

OAC Exhibition Assistance

The Craft Department at Harbourfront Centre is the Recommender for Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grants for Craft Artists in Region 3.

OAC Exhibition Assistance Grants — ranging from $500 to $1,500 — are for exhibition preparation (e.g. materials, framing and preparation, crating and transportation). Grants are administered on behalf of the OAC by organizations acting as third party recommenders.

Annual Deadline: 15 September

For more information about OAC Exhibition Assistance, please contact Melanie Egan, Head of Craft at Harbourfront Centre at 416.973.4963 or rmegan@harbourfrontcentre.com.

The One of a Kind Award for Excellence in Glass

The Craft Department at Harbourfront Centre is partnering with the One of a Kind Show to administer one of their Awards for Excellence. This is a brand new awards program to help develop the careers of emerging craftspeople. Emerging is defined as someone who has been working professionally in craft from 1 – 5 years.

Deadline: November 30, 2008

Other awards are presented in partnership with the Craft Association of British Columbia (CBAC), the Gardiner Museum, the Ontario Craft Council (OCC), and the Textile Museum of Canada. Please check oneofakindshow.com for additional information.

For more information on submissions, click here (PDF). To download the application form click here (Microsoft Word Document).

For more information please contact Melanie Egan at 416.973.4963 or rmegan@harbourfrontcentre.com.

Our Supporters

Harbourfront Centre's Craft Studio programmes are generously supported by Canadian Heritage, the City of Toronto, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for The Arts - Jean A. Chalmers Fund for the Crafts.