Artist-in-Residence Program

The Narrows Artist Residency Program offers artists time and space away from their regular routine of life for reflection, research and production, in a serene, remote setting near Kootenay Lake.

Free from daily distractions, artists can focus on their practice.

Access: Transport is by motorboat. A weekly trip for supplies if necessary can be arranged.
Stay Duration: Minimum of one week.

Residency Rates (CAD)

Private Residency: $1200 (*with subsidy: $700).
Shared Residency: $1000 (*with subsidy: $500).
+ cleaning fee: $100. This fee also includes boat travel, Wi-Fi, and utilities.

Applications: Rolling basis

– APPLY ANYTIME.

**Accepting Applications for 2026 Residencies

**(a few residencies left for 2025 - please enquire)

Responsibilities:

Artists cover residency fee, travel, food, materials, shipping, and personal expenses. Most participants secure grants for funding.
No fee to apply.

Scholarship Opportunities:

Partial scholarships are available, covering 50% of the residency fee. Indicate scholarship interest on your application. We hope this will give participants the opportunity to nurture their creativity, and lessen the financial burden.
Applicants must pay the remaining fee and other expenses.
Letters of invitation and support for funding are available on acceptance into the program.

Deposit:

$100 non-refundable processing fee upon acceptance of residency offer.
50% of the fee is due three months prior, with the balance due one week before arrival.

Refund Policy:

Residency fees are refundable up until one month before the start date, minus the processing fee.

All Disciplines Welcome:

We welcome individuals and collaborators whether emerging or established in their career. We are not a medium specific residency. Past artists in residence have included work in painting, music and composition, writing, sculpture, performance art, poetry, ceramics, drawing, site specific, film and environmental art.

Details:

Artists maintain shared spaces. We do not provide daily cleaning of the studio or rooms, or daily meals.
Shared residencies are limited to three artists, with access to common areas, studio, and yurt.
No pets due to local wildlife.
Please respect private property around the retreat
One trip per week by boat can be made available if necessary, for groceries and re-supply.
There is no smoking in or around the residency.
Check in to residency after 2pm.
Departure by 10 AM on the final day.

Access:

We strive to be inclusive and welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds and identities.
The Narrows is not wheelchair accessible, as the residency is situated in a forest, accessible via a gravel path following a boat ride. Additionally, our bathrooms are not accessibility compliant. If you have specific access needs, please contact us—we are happy to explore how we might accommodate them.

Group Retreats:

Available when residencies are not in session.
We can help plan your next event, workshop, meeting, or conference at any time of the year.
We welcome visiting art professionals and help facilitate workshops at our studio.
Please enquire to book the space or contact us for more details.

For questions or to apply, click here!