Park Board launches annual call out for Artists in Communities program

The deadline for application for the AIC program, running January 2024 to December 2025, is October 9, 2023. (Pexels Photo)

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation wants to hear from artists and cultural practitioners looking to build creative legacies in Vancouver’s local communities.

The annual call out for the Park Board’s long-standing Artists in Communities (AIC) program is now open, offering local artists the opportunity to build connections with their communities through collaborative art projects.

New for 2024, a 2-year residency is now on offer to encourage deeper relationships with the community and allow for activities to emerge and evolve over a longer time frame.

Next year’s program will focus on professional artists working with youth in the community. Artwork developed during the residencies will be presented at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre during BC Youth Week in 2025.

Held in Dunbar Community Centre and Mount Pleasant Community Centre, the upcoming AIC residencies are supported by an annual artist fee of $13,000 and a $2,500 supplies budget, co-funded by the Vancouver Park Board and the host Community Centre Associations.

AIC is open to artists working in a community-engaged practice in any discipline.  The program prioritizes supporting work with Indigenous cultural practitioners and artists from equity-deserving communities.

The deadline for application for the AIC program, running January 2024 to December 2025, is October 9, 2023.

For more information and to apply, visit the webpage, or email arts.info@vancouver.ca

Current AIC Residences

Successful applicants for next year’s AIC program will follow in the footsteps of this year’s residencies:

Edward Fu-Chen Juan (Trout Lake Community Centre)

Ed leads nature-based papermaking, ink paste making and printmaking workshops to create artworks with the community that will be the building blocks of a major collaborative work to be showcased at Trout Lake Community Centre.

Sophia Sosa and Josh Cameron: Dancing and Mobilizing – Truth Telling with Hip Hop (West End and Coal Harbour Community Centres)

Together, Sophia, Josh and West End neighbours are building community through dance.

All genders, ethnicities and ages are welcome in free weekly dance workshops, open community discussions and celebrations through community gatherings and events. Activities will culminate in The Move Together Festival, taking place this November.

Visit vancouver.ca/people-programs/artists-in-communities-program for more information.

About Artists in Communities

For over 25 years, the Artists in Communities (AIC) program has connected local artists with residents in their communities to spark collective creativity and encourage collaborative art-making practices. Projects are designed to leave lasting physical or social legacies in the community, and support artists and residents alike in learning new creative processes, developing collaborative skills and creating diverse artwork.