We’re currently reworking our policies and procedures. Current policies are subject to change at any time.

 FAQs

FEES

Please note that our 2025 fees have increased from our pilot rates to upkeep operations.

While the full cost of the residency is estimated at $2000 per month for each artist in residence, our programming is generously subsidized by the Freybe family to keep fees as affordable as possible. Please see the table below for our updated rates.

WHO

  • SAR welcomes emerging, mid-career, or seasoned artists from across Canada and internationally.

  • No, SAR welcomes national and international applicants. The artist however is responsible for all visas required to travel to Canada for the purposes of an artist residency. We will assist by providing a letter confirming the offer of a residency once that decision has been made.

  • Residents may invite a partner or colleague to share their accommodations for up to three nights for free. Each bedroom contains two twin beds or one queen sized bed to accommodate the artist and their guest.

    Residents staying between two and three weeks may also host non-collaborative guests, but only for up to 50% of their total stay; ie. a two-week residency allows for a one-week long guest.

    Guests staying for longer than three nights incur fees (see next section).

    Guests must receive approval from the Residency Manager before their arrival.

    Collaborative duos should apply together. If a collaborative duo shares a bedroom, they may still have a guest as long as there is an additional bedroom available.

  • Residents may invite a guest to share their accommodations. If a guest visits for more than three nights, Extra Guest Fees of $100/week are applied to cover operational costs.

    If a couple or collaborative duo shares a bedroom and studio space for more than one week and/or up to the full length of their stay, Extra Guest Fees of $100/week apply.

    If a couple or collaborative duo shares a bedroom but has their own studios, they will each pay full individual artist fees.

    A couple or collaborative duo may share both a bedroom and a studio to reduce fees. Please indicate this request on your application.

WHAT

  • While the full cost of the residency is estimated at $2000 per month for each artist in residence, our programming is generously subsidized by the Freybe family to keep fees as affordable as possible.

    Our base fee schedule is $1,100 for a one-month residency with reductions for for staying for additional months.

    Our two-week micro residencies are rated at $700 total, or $350/week.

    Please see the table above for the full breakdown of our 2025 fees.

    If our fee schedule creates a barrier that prevents you from attending SAR, please reach out to us. We will do our best to adjust our rates to accommodate you.

  • A deposit of $500 is required eight weeks before your stay to secure the booking once confirmed, as well as a signed Agreement. With these two things in place, your booking is firm. The deposit will be returned within two weeks following the end of your stay if there are no damages.

  • If the Resident requests changes in dates, the Residency Manager will look at the viability of this request and will accommodate if SAR’s schedule allows.

    If the Resident cancels their booking, their full deposit will be returned if at least 45-days' notice has been provided. With less than 45-days' notice, only half the deposit will be returned. With less than 30-days' notice, the full deposit will be held. Any fees paid will be returned, with only the deposit retained.

  • The artist is responsible for researching and acquiring grants. The Similkameen Artist Residency can assist by providing a letter confirming the offer of a residency once that decision has been made.

ADMINISTRATION & COST

  • There are five, newly renovated solo studios located on the ground level, all with natural light and most with large window French doors. There is also a small bright flex-studio affectionately called The Sewing Room.

    The studios vary in dimension but average 10’ x 20’, and are well appointed with track lighting and 8’ high ceilings; they have a modest amount of studio furniture and tools available for usage. Equipped with sliding glass doors or large French doors, each studio allows for artists to work outside. The studio’s cement floors are painted grey and the walls are white. There is 24-hour access as sound does not travel easily from this lower floor, though artists are asked to be mindful of noise after 10 pm.

    Artists are expected to leave their studios (and bedrooms) as they found them to have their deposits returned.

  • There are two industrial wash basins; one located located in Studio 1, and another in Studio 5. Priority for this studio will be given to artists such as painters who need frequent access to running water. Any other artist is permitted to enter the studio for access to the sink if needed.

    Each studio is equipped with a modest amount of studio furniture such as a work table, chairs, rolling tool carts, and foldable tables.

    Basic hand tools (drills, screwdrivers, measuring tape, etc) are available in the storage room on the studio level. These must be kept organized and available for usage to other artists. Please let our Residency Manager know if anything needs to be restocked or is damaged. 

    The studio spaces are not equipped to deal with work that involves toxic fumes, highly flammable material, and excessively loud/heavy machinery.

  • All artists requiring special equipment should inquire as to availability before applying.

  • Artists are responsible for bringing their own supplies, however, the nearest art suppliers are Dragon’s Den (Penticton) and Opus Art Supplies (Kelowna). Please note that the closest store is about a 40-minute drive away, but they do allow you to place orders online for pickup. You can also have supplies shipped to the residency.

STUDIOS

  • There are four bedrooms on the top floor of the residency. Every bedroom allows for a second person to stay with the artist—a partner or a friend, for example—for a brief time or the full length of their residency. Please see the ‘Extra Guest Fee’ section above for fees associated with long-term guests.

    Two of these bedrooms are furnished with two twin beds, and one is furnished with a queen bed for artist couples. The last bedroom has a twin bed that can pull out to be a queen, and also contains a twin cot for non-partner guests. Artists should indicate their situation and preference on their application.

    The project aims to accommodate these requests when possible. Artist couples who are both requesting a studio should indicate this on their application.

  • On the entrance level, there is a full kitchen equipped with a fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave, and cookware. A main-floor gathering space has chairs and a large dining table. For warmer weather, there is a picnic table on the adjoining sundeck. In the entry, there is a TV area with a fireplace, and s 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.

  • You are responsible for providing your own foodstuffs and cooking your own meals, however, weekly and/or bi-weekly shared meals have become a staple at the residency. You are encouraged to cook together as much as is desired!

  • Bed linens and towels are provided as well as basic cleaning and kitchen supplies (glassware, cutlery, cookware, kettle, teapot, etc.). The artist is responsible for all personal and art supplies, which we recommend bringing upon arrival.

ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Our primary goal at Similkameen Artist Residency is to provide a restful and affordable space outside the city for artists to work towards their practice. We currently do not require an output or final project, however, we do hope that artists fulfill the research and engagement that is proposed in their application.

    We ask that all artists maintain a clean and safe live/work environment, being mindful of the communal nature of the residency. We ask that all visiting artists treat each other and the space with respect, to help create a safe and welcoming environment.

    Artists can also anticipate participating in studio visits with members of their cohort; additional programming, such as public Open Studios or leading workshops, are possibilities and will be discussed with the Residency Manager at the onset of your stay.

  • We have zero tolerance for any discrimination, hate, bigotry, racism, and bullying. If any incidents occur and are reported to our team, we hold the right to terminate any agreement and take reasonable action in response.

  • Smoking is not allowed on the property. Pets are not permitted unless approved by the administrative team.

  • SAR functions out of a renovated log cabin. As the studio spaces are located on the ground level and bedrooms on the upper level via through stairs, the residency is not accessible for assisted mobility or wheelchair users at this time.

    For all other inquiries regarding physical accessibility, please contact us at: info@simartres.com

  • As the residency has shared common spaces, please inform us in your application of any allergies (pets/food/etc.) that you may have so that we can make accommodations with other residents for the duration of your stay.

ON RESPONSIBILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

WHEN

  • The Similkameen Artist Residency is now accepting applications for one, two, or three-month residencies from Jan–Dec 2025. Two to three-week micro residencies are also considered.

    Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis.

  • Our month-long residencies begin on the 1st of the month and go until the end of the month.

    Two-week residencies are scheduled generally from the 1st-15th or the 15th-end of the month.

    Three-week residencies are scheduled from the 1st–21st or 7th–end of the month.

    Occasionally, we can accommodate residencies that straddle months (eg. April 15–May 15), however this is subject to availability.

WHERE

  • The Similkameen Artist Residency is located just off Highway 3, 4 km west of Keremeos, BC. It is about a five-hour drive east of Vancouver and about 40-minutes from Penticton.

    The Similkameen Artist Residency acknowledges that our programming takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. We ask visiting artists to be considerate to the land and to the Smalqmix people who have tended to this place for centuries, and to treat these territories with care and respect. SAR is honoured to share space to create here. For more information please visit The Lower Similkameen Indian Band.

  • Keremeos has a semi-arid climate with full seasonal changes and wind through the valley. The winter can be quite cold and snowy, and the summer hot and desert-like. Each season brings its own beauty and offerings for visitors.

    Summer/Fall: The summer and fall can reach upwards of 30 degrees Celsius on the hottest days, so SPF is necessary. There are several safe swimming locations along the Similkameen River—a lovely way to cool down in a stunning setting. As Keremeos is known for its abundant agriculture, artists will have access to the freshest seasonal fruits, vegetables, and wineries in the area. Please be advised that during the summer season, there may be Provincial wildfire advisories which all guests are required to follow accordingly.

    Winter/Spring: The winter in Keremeos is quiet and beautiful, however, the weather can get very cold reaching down to -20 degrees Celsius with occasional heavy snowfall. The landscape is stunning and serene, and the Log house is equipped with a wood fireplace that can be enjoyed by residents to keep warm and cozy. Please be advised that there is a Provincial mandate for winter tires on all vehicles traveling on Highway 3 between October–April.

  • Keremeos has a town centre, which has a Buy-Low Grocery store, a post office, several restaurants, a pharmacy, Home Hardware, a BC Liquor Store, and a couple of local thrift and vintage stores. There is also a library and recreation centre. For more information go to Village of Keremeos.

  • You can arrive via car, bus, or plane. Please check our Wayfinding page.

  • It is not required to have a vehicle, however, having one is highly recommended for winter months. Residents are responsible and expected to arrange their own transportation for arrival and departure from their residency.

    The town of Keremeos is rural and the Log house is a 4km distance from the town centre along a busy highway, therefore we encourage those who have access to a vehicle to drive. Alternatively, there is one bicycle available for artists to use.

    For those who do not have a vehicle, please indicate on your application.

  • If you are without a vehicle for the duration of your visit, we will connect you with overlapping residents for potential car-share arrangements.

    The Residency Manager will otherwise be able to provide rides to and from Keremeos for groceries and supplies; they may request you pitch in for gas money depending on the frequency of trips.

    If you are traveling by flight or by bus, pickups will be arranged with the Residency Manager; gas reimbursement may be requested depending on the distance traveled.

HOW