About the Similkameen Artist Residency
A self-directed artist residency space in a renovated log house near the village of Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley, BC. Operations are managed by a long-term artist in residence. Artists are invited to apply for residencies up to three months. This is a live/work setting that nurtures a balance between personal needs and mutual care.
Our programming takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan Nation. We ask visiting artists to be considerate to the land and to the Similkameen people who have tended to this place for centuries, and to treat these territories with care and respect.
MISSION
To provide a tranquil, affordable, and supportive environment for artistic exploration.
VISION
SAR was developed in recognition of the significant value that residencies play in the development of artists’ lives. The project recognizes the difficulties artists face when seeking time, support, well-maintained studio spaces, and funding for their work. We believe that all working artists—including those at various career stages, across diverse artistic trajectories, and from all socioeconomic backgrounds—should be given opportunities to rest, experiment, and refocus their practices.
The artist residency space is located on the unceded territories of the syilx Okanagan First Nation. Situated within the Similkameen Valley, nestled against mountain slopes, the log house offers an opportunity to connect with nature; the unique ecosystem and topography which surrounds the residency are catalysts for curiosity.
VALUES
FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY: By offering subsidized and scholarship-funded self-directed residencies, SAR reduces barriers to artists seeking the time and space to retreat and produce new work. We provide additional subsidies to artists based on need, including to current students and recent graduates, and lower income artists and artists on income assistance.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: We tailor the residency experience to each artist’s ambitions; depending on an artist’s interests, we have facilitated studio visits, Open Studio events, workshops in the community, exhibitions, performances, and onsite programs, among other professional development opportunities.
SUPPORTING DIVERSE VOICES: Black, Indigenous, and Racialized artists, as well as artists with Disabilities*, LGBTQ2S+ artists, and adult artists of all ages are encouraged to attend. We firmly believe that diverse voices make for stronger communities and more nuanced artistic dialogues.
NON-DETRIMENTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE: We value the land on which we are situated and have policies to ensure our ecological footprint is as small as possible.
NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS: The Okanagan-Similkameen is built of strong communities. SAR is committed to building meaningful, sustainable relationships with our neighbours, and provides opportunities for our visiting artists to engage with members of our community.
*SAR functions out of a renovated log cabin. As the studio spaces are located on the ground level and bedrooms on the upper level, accessed via stairs, the residency is not currently accessible for assisted mobility or wheelchair users at this time.
The recently renovated Log House has three levels and is sectioned down the middle as a duplex.
One-half of the building is dedicated to one to three month long residencies; the upper floor boasts four bedrooms, with the main floor offering a communal living room, dining room, and kitchen. A small piano room is additionally available to musically inclined residents.
Five connected solo studios, a tool/storage room, and a small flex studio space are found on the garden level.
The second half of the Log House contains a private unit, occupied by the Long-Term AiR/Residency Manager. This space includes a guest room for visiting curators, guests, and residency staff.
THE LOG HOUSE
THE LOG HOUSE
Short-Term Artists in Residence (2 week–3 month residencies)
Accommodations:
Every bedroom allows for a second person to stay with the artist, with the approval of the Residency Manager. The project aims to accommodate these requests when possible. Artist couples or collaborative groups of whom each member is requesting a studio should indicate this on their application. Please see our FAQ for additional fees that may apply.
Studios:
There are four semi-private, recently renovated solo studios located on the ground level, all with natural light and most with large doors so that artists may work outside if they wish. There is also an additional small bright room on this level. The studios vary in size—averaging 10’ x 20’—and are well-appointed with track lighting and 8’ high ceilings, and are equipped with basic studio furniture.
There is no restriction on working hours (24-hour access) but we request that artists be respectful of noise during quiet hours.
Common Space:
On the entrance level, there is a full kitchen equipped with a fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave, and cookware. The gathering space has chairs and a large dining table. For warm weather, there is a picnic table on the adjoining sundeck. In the entry, there is a TV area with a fireplace; a nearby piano room is available to residents. A shared washroom with a shower is located on the entrance level, and two additional washrooms are located on the upper floor—one with a shower. Laundry facilities and WiFi are also available to residents.
Long-Term Artist in Residence/Residency Manager (12+ months)
The Long-Term Resident/Residency Manager resides on the other side of the Log House. For their longer stay, this suite includes a private kitchen, dining area and decks, a small sitting room with a fireplace, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a bright 15 x 15 office with high ceilings and large windows.
They are an artist(s) who values both the isolation and beauty of the remote location and the communal engagement of the SAR project and the location near Keremeos. Besides working on their practice, this person(s) facilitates Short-Term Residencies and manages onsite maintenance of the Log House. They must have a vehicle. As this space is self-contained, a partner, child, and/or pet are permitted.
A guest room for short-term visiting artists, curators, and/or residency personnel is also on this side of the building.
This space is currently filled.