The Office of Social Innovation Opens Applications for Indigenous Artist Residency

February 1, 2022

The Office of Social Innovation invites applications from Indigenous artists or collectives for a five-month residency in Toronto’s Allan Gardens. 

The paid residency, titled Indigenous Artist in the Park, was created for Indigenous artists to develop work that acknowledges, reflects upon, and responds to the continuous Indigenous presence in the Allan Gardens neighbourhood. Applications for the residency are due on March 27 at 11:59 pm (EDT). 

“With its iconic Conservatory, Allan Gardens is a vital green space in the heart of the city with a very rich history,” said Rina Fraticelli, Director of Strategic Initiatives for OSI. “This is an opportunity for an Indigenous artist to spend time exploring this centuries-old and continuously meaningful gathering place for Indigenous communities.”

The Indigenous Artist in the Park residency is part of Imagine the Park, a year-long series of cultural events and activities in and around the Allan Gardens neighbourhood presented by OSI. Imagine the Park aims to foster a more welcoming, creative, well-resourced green space for the wider Allan Gardens community.

"This project has been so skillfully designed. It is thoughtful, thought-provoking, educational, and respectful and captures this central community's true essence and Indigenous history - so rich and vibrant. I am excited to see it come to fruition." Said Joanne Okimawininew Dallaire, Elder (Ke Shay Hayo) and Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ryerson University.