The Heliconian Club currently runs five residency programs, one each in Dance, Drama, Literature, Music and Visual Art. Residencies are open to women applicants only.
Successful candidates have complimentary membership in the Club for the year of their residency, and should any resident wish to join the following year, the one-time initiation fee would be waived. As members, the artists-in-residence are entitled to all of the benefits of membership, including all service discounts, and participation in all meetings and Club events (though member event fees still apply). There is no financial compensation attached to the residency, only the membership benefits, and the services listed below attached to specific residencies. Also, no on-site residence is provided. Residencies are not open to current or past Heliconian members.
Successful candidates have complimentary membership in the Club for the year of their residency, and should any resident wish to join the following year, the one-time initiation fee would be waived. As members, the artists-in-residence are entitled to all of the benefits of membership, including all service discounts, and participation in all meetings and Club events (though member event fees still apply). There is no financial compensation attached to the residency, only the membership benefits, and the services listed below attached to specific residencies. Also, no on-site residence is provided. Residencies are not open to current or past Heliconian members.
Artist-in-Residence applications for 2024-2025 are now closed.
Visual Artist-in-residence
The Visual Artist-in-residence program runs September to August.
The Visual Art Section of the Heliconian Club annually works to appoint a Visual Artist-in-residence. The Visual Artist-in-residence will be able to attend Life Drawing sessions, free of charge, every Monday September to June (excluding holidays) in Heliconian Hall. The Artist-in-residence will be able to show her work in Heliconian Hall in a solo show in June (no charge for exhibition space but 20% commission applies to sales made during the show, to a maximum of $1000).
Heliconian members look forward to observing progress midway through the year (February) as well as at the formal show in June. It is expected that the candidate will share her artistic vision with members by means of a tutorial, demonstration or workshop.
Applicants submit five images (digital files) of original work, with an artistic statement describing their work (one page maximum) and a CV. Candidates also prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent concerning the creation of new work during the coming year (one page maximum). A short list of applicants are invited for interviews to make the final selection. Applications due by May 20, 2024.
The Visual Art Section of the Heliconian Club annually works to appoint a Visual Artist-in-residence. The Visual Artist-in-residence will be able to attend Life Drawing sessions, free of charge, every Monday September to June (excluding holidays) in Heliconian Hall. The Artist-in-residence will be able to show her work in Heliconian Hall in a solo show in June (no charge for exhibition space but 20% commission applies to sales made during the show, to a maximum of $1000).
Heliconian members look forward to observing progress midway through the year (February) as well as at the formal show in June. It is expected that the candidate will share her artistic vision with members by means of a tutorial, demonstration or workshop.
Applicants submit five images (digital files) of original work, with an artistic statement describing their work (one page maximum) and a CV. Candidates also prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent concerning the creation of new work during the coming year (one page maximum). A short list of applicants are invited for interviews to make the final selection. Applications due by May 20, 2024.
writer-in-residence
The Writer-in-residence program runs September 2024 to September 2025.
The Literature Section of the Heliconian Club annually appoints a writer-in-residence for a one-year period. Eligible candidates are female authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama as well as professional editors and journalists. The Writer-in-residence receives Club membership for the year, as well as a complimentary subscription to one of the Literary Lecture Series. The non-paying position provides an opportunity for a writer to connect with members of the Literature Section, and to interact with the members and the other Artists-in-Residence in the Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Humanities sections. The Writer-in-Residence is encouraged to take part in Literature Section activities and workshops, and to lead some creative programming within the Section. She is expected to attend a few Club-wide events, in particular the President’s Reception at the beginning of the season and an all Artists-in-Residence event at the end of the season.
An application package should include a letter of intent, a résumé, a list of published works and a writing sample. Short excerpts of longer works should not exceed 2000 words. In the letter of intent the applicant should explain why she is interested in the position, of what benefit the post would be to her and how she, in turn, could benefit the Heliconian Club. Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Finalists are interviewed in June.
The Literature Section of the Heliconian Club annually appoints a writer-in-residence for a one-year period. Eligible candidates are female authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama as well as professional editors and journalists. The Writer-in-residence receives Club membership for the year, as well as a complimentary subscription to one of the Literary Lecture Series. The non-paying position provides an opportunity for a writer to connect with members of the Literature Section, and to interact with the members and the other Artists-in-Residence in the Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Humanities sections. The Writer-in-Residence is encouraged to take part in Literature Section activities and workshops, and to lead some creative programming within the Section. She is expected to attend a few Club-wide events, in particular the President’s Reception at the beginning of the season and an all Artists-in-Residence event at the end of the season.
An application package should include a letter of intent, a résumé, a list of published works and a writing sample. Short excerpts of longer works should not exceed 2000 words. In the letter of intent the applicant should explain why she is interested in the position, of what benefit the post would be to her and how she, in turn, could benefit the Heliconian Club. Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Finalists are interviewed in June.
DANCE Artist-in-residence
The Dance Artist-in-residence program runs September to August.
Having started in 2011, the dance residency offers limited free dance rehearsal space in Heliconian Hall. The former church space is large and open, unobstructed and well-lit. It has a suitable dance surface and some natural spring due to wooden joists in the building construction.
Every year we seek an emerging dancer/choreographer with a body of established work, who would benefit from the use of free and available rehearsal space - and someone inclined to take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Club from other disciplines.
The rehearsal space is often available during the week, especially daytime, although evening and weekend rehearsal time is also possible. Booking is usually limited to six hours a week, subject to availability, but availability does fluctuate greatly with the seasonality of the hall rentals. The Resident must work closely with the office to create a mutually workable schedule.
In exchange we ask that a work-in-progress rehearsal be open to Heliconian Club members during the month of January and we like to follow up with a joint Artists-in-Residence event that highlights vignette works from all four Club disciplines that have Artist-in-Residence programs. This final event is an eclectic one that winds up our season in late May/early June. There will be a number of opportunities through the year to collaborate with Visual Arts, Music and Literature members whose work can be interpreted through improvisation in multi-disciplinary events.
Interested candidates should prepare a brief biography and an artistic statement to support the submission of two short video pieces of original work. We require a letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on their suitability for this position. In addition we ask for a letter of intent for the creation of upcoming work during the year of residency. Portfolios will be reviewed by a Dance Panel at the Club and the chosen candidate will be contacted in August.
Having started in 2011, the dance residency offers limited free dance rehearsal space in Heliconian Hall. The former church space is large and open, unobstructed and well-lit. It has a suitable dance surface and some natural spring due to wooden joists in the building construction.
Every year we seek an emerging dancer/choreographer with a body of established work, who would benefit from the use of free and available rehearsal space - and someone inclined to take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Club from other disciplines.
The rehearsal space is often available during the week, especially daytime, although evening and weekend rehearsal time is also possible. Booking is usually limited to six hours a week, subject to availability, but availability does fluctuate greatly with the seasonality of the hall rentals. The Resident must work closely with the office to create a mutually workable schedule.
In exchange we ask that a work-in-progress rehearsal be open to Heliconian Club members during the month of January and we like to follow up with a joint Artists-in-Residence event that highlights vignette works from all four Club disciplines that have Artist-in-Residence programs. This final event is an eclectic one that winds up our season in late May/early June. There will be a number of opportunities through the year to collaborate with Visual Arts, Music and Literature members whose work can be interpreted through improvisation in multi-disciplinary events.
Interested candidates should prepare a brief biography and an artistic statement to support the submission of two short video pieces of original work. We require a letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on their suitability for this position. In addition we ask for a letter of intent for the creation of upcoming work during the year of residency. Portfolios will be reviewed by a Dance Panel at the Club and the chosen candidate will be contacted in August.
Musician-IN-RESIDENCE
The Musician-in-residence program runs September to August.
The Music Section offered its first Musician-in-Residence position in 2018. The Musician-in-Residence program is a symbiotic one. The resident musician is expected to contribute in some way to the life of the Music Section and the rest of the Club and, in turn, the Music Section will offer unique opportunities to the musician that will be meaningful and invigorating. Benefits include a free hall rental for a concert/workshop event of the artist's choosing (all revenue going to the artist), a free subscription to the Heliconian Music Concert Series, and a variety of collaboration and performance opportunities throughout the year. The Musician-in-Residence is expected to lead at least one workshop/seminar for Club members and present a finished work (performance/composition/etc.) to Club members and the general public at the Club in June.
Each year we seek an emerging female artist of any age. Applicants will submit a recording of a recent performance (5 minutes max), or a recording of a performance of a recent composition (composed within the last 3 years) with an artistic statement describing their work (one page maximum) and a CV. Candidates will prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent describing what they hope to achieve as Musician in Residence. A short list of applicants will be invited for interviews/live audition to make the final selection.
The Music Section offered its first Musician-in-Residence position in 2018. The Musician-in-Residence program is a symbiotic one. The resident musician is expected to contribute in some way to the life of the Music Section and the rest of the Club and, in turn, the Music Section will offer unique opportunities to the musician that will be meaningful and invigorating. Benefits include a free hall rental for a concert/workshop event of the artist's choosing (all revenue going to the artist), a free subscription to the Heliconian Music Concert Series, and a variety of collaboration and performance opportunities throughout the year. The Musician-in-Residence is expected to lead at least one workshop/seminar for Club members and present a finished work (performance/composition/etc.) to Club members and the general public at the Club in June.
Each year we seek an emerging female artist of any age. Applicants will submit a recording of a recent performance (5 minutes max), or a recording of a performance of a recent composition (composed within the last 3 years) with an artistic statement describing their work (one page maximum) and a CV. Candidates will prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent describing what they hope to achieve as Musician in Residence. A short list of applicants will be invited for interviews/live audition to make the final selection.
playwright/actor-in-residence
The Playwright-in-residence program runs September to June.
The Playwright-in-residence aims to provide an emerging female playwright and/or actor with free rehearsal space and the time away from their regular environment and obligations to workshop a play they have written in Heliconian Hall. The rehearsal space is often available during weekdays and limited evening/weekend access can also be arranged. Booking is usually limited to 6 hours a week, subject to availability, but availability does fluctuate greatly with the seasonality of the hall rentals. The Resident must work closely with the office to create a mutually workable schedule. It is hoped that the rehearsal space given by the Club will provide the opportunity for the playwright and the actors to discuss, to reflect and to refine this work-in-progress for performance at the end of the playwright-in-residency programme.
During the residency, the playwright will give the Club members a preview of this work in progress for feedback at the Club. At the end of the residency, in June, the playwright will present the finished work to Club members and the general public at the Club.
Every year, we seek an emerging female playwright/actor who has spent no fewer than two years working in their chosen field after training (if applicable), who has demonstrated a strong ability for working in the theatre, who has created or participated in at least one theatrical work that has been presented, produced or published, and who has a script that is evolving and requires rehearsal space to bring it to a performance level. The female playwright/actor must reside in Canada and we encourage applications from artists of diverse cultures and heritage.
Interested candidates should prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent/synopsis of the play that will be work shopped during the year ahead and a letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on her suitability for this residency.
The Playwright-in-residence aims to provide an emerging female playwright and/or actor with free rehearsal space and the time away from their regular environment and obligations to workshop a play they have written in Heliconian Hall. The rehearsal space is often available during weekdays and limited evening/weekend access can also be arranged. Booking is usually limited to 6 hours a week, subject to availability, but availability does fluctuate greatly with the seasonality of the hall rentals. The Resident must work closely with the office to create a mutually workable schedule. It is hoped that the rehearsal space given by the Club will provide the opportunity for the playwright and the actors to discuss, to reflect and to refine this work-in-progress for performance at the end of the playwright-in-residency programme.
During the residency, the playwright will give the Club members a preview of this work in progress for feedback at the Club. At the end of the residency, in June, the playwright will present the finished work to Club members and the general public at the Club.
Every year, we seek an emerging female playwright/actor who has spent no fewer than two years working in their chosen field after training (if applicable), who has demonstrated a strong ability for working in the theatre, who has created or participated in at least one theatrical work that has been presented, produced or published, and who has a script that is evolving and requires rehearsal space to bring it to a performance level. The female playwright/actor must reside in Canada and we encourage applications from artists of diverse cultures and heritage.
Interested candidates should prepare a brief biography and a letter of intent/synopsis of the play that will be work shopped during the year ahead and a letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on her suitability for this residency.
