The FCCS Woodhaven Artist in Residence Program provides a paid residency opportunity for a diverse variety of visiting artists including writers, visual artists, digital media artists and performance artists. Artists will stay between 4 – 8 weeks at our Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in the summer months. This year, we invite creative writers to apply.
For the 2021 season, we invite writers of all genres to apply for a paid Woodhaven Eco Culture Residency. Applications are accepted until March 5, 2021. One writer will be selected as the Writer-in-Residence for Summer 2021.
Writers who are available for between 4 to 8 weeks between June 1 – August 31, 2021 are invited to apply. We particularly encourage applications from BIPOC writers and from marginalized groups that are traditionally underrepresented in nature writing, literary art and sustainability, and ecologically-focussed creative practice.
This residency includes accommodation in a large two-bedroom home located at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre as well as full use of a writing studio on the property. The WIR will be expected to spend time on their own writing as well as part of their time on public outreach.
Following all public health travel protocols will be expected.
See below for information on the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre, details on the residency and application requirements.
The Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre is located within a nature conservancy in Kelowna, British Columbia, within the unceded territories of the Syilx Nation. The Eco Culture Centre is committed to supporting artists and students working in creative and critical practices that raise awareness of nature in this era of climate change and mass extinction and that help imagine more sustainable and intersectional ways of living and being in place. The Residency program – this year focussed on writers—allows a contemplative experience in the natural world while still being near urban amenities and having access to the resources of a world-class university. While in residence, writers are encouraged to practice their craft in the context of the conservation values of the site which is dedicated park land.
This residency includes accommodation in a large two-bedroom home located at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre as well as full use of a writing studio on the property. Meals are the responsibility of the artist. A full-kitchen and all linens are provided. The residence can accommodate a family or support person, and is located on the ground floor. The writing studio, located on the second floor and accessible only by stairs, is a private, detached space from the living accommodation. The Writer-in-Residence will be paid $1000 a week. The university will also cover travel costs for the writer. Following all public health travel protocols will be expected.
The Woodhaven Writer-in-Residence is expected to spend 80% of their time working on their own writing, and 20% of their time on public outreach, including at least one public lecture or reading that the university will help organize. There are no teaching commitments though engagement with local writers and students can be a part of the community engagement. All public engagement activities will be held under Public Health mandates due to Covid-19.
We invite candidates to propose their own initiatives for community engagement in their letter of interest. UBC’s Okanagan campus is launching a new bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, and has faculty working in multiple areas of climate and sustainability focused research and creative practice. We see this residency becoming a vibrant part of UBC Okanagan’s commitment to building communities, both locally and globally, that are committed to creating and sharing knowledge and creative practices dedicated to the mindful preservation and just stewardship of our world’s natural environment. As a proud sponsor of the 2021Annual Summer Indigenous Art Intensive, the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies is also excited about the potential creative and critical encounters between the Writer in Residence and the Summer Indigenous Intensive.
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday March 5, 2021. Please attach the following documents:
All application materials must be received by the application deadline. Please attach one PDF document include all requirements above and email: creativestudies.ok@ubc.ca
Eligibility: This residency is open to Canadian and international writers in any genre. Payment is in Canadian dollars.
One writer will be selected as Writer in Residence. Applicants will be contacted regarding the committee’s decision by the end of March 2021.
Woodhaven residence including two apartments in the main house, as well as the writing studio above the garage.
Guests talking a walk around the Woodhaven nature conservancy.
Beat Salad event at Woodhaven, 2015 by MFA student Clay McCann, a confluence of performance poetry, prose, music, and excellent company.
Workshop at Woodhaven with FCCS Visiting Scholar Marlene Creates, 2014.
Marlene Creates workshop inside the centre’s stand alone studio.