Founded in 2001, in a partnership with Parks Canada, the KIAC Artist in Residence Program has welcomed hundreds of talented artists, musicians and filmmakers to Dawson City from all regions of Canada and around the world. Our alumni include Sobey Art Award nominees, Western Canada Music Award winners, and prize-winning filmmakers from film festivals across the globe. Former KIAC residents have work in permanent collections at the National Gallery of Canada, the Metropolitan Museum (New York), the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Yukon Arts Centre, and have presented work at some of the world’s premier venues: MoMA New York, the Georges Pompidou Centre (Paris), Documenta, Venice Biennale, Whitney Museum, and Art Gallery of Ontario, among many others.
Our Artist in Residence Program aims to present an inspirational environment and culturally relevant context for art creation and research for professional artists of all levels of experience.
A year round residency, KIAC reserves spots in the residence during its annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival. The next festival occurs on April 2-5, 2026. The film fest residencies are for the month of April.
To provide professional artists with unrestricted time and space to research, develop and produce ongoing or new body of works/projects.
To introduce visiting artists to northern peoples, cultures and landscapes.
To provide the Yukon community with exposure and access to a diverse range of contemporary Canadian and international arts practices and theories.
To provide outreach activities such as talks, workshops and exhibitions, intended to promote interaction and professional development within the community.
A 2 storey house, built in 1901, was owned by Henry C. Macaulay, Dawson City’s first mayor. Subsequently, it housed such affluent individuals as a merchant, a Territorial Commissioner, a surveyor, and senior management of the Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation. It was a residence for those whose instructions, salaries, and lifestyle came from outside. There are typically 2 artists at a time in the house. Each artist receives a private bedroom and private studio space. There is shared kitchen, living room, bathroom and large backyard. Hi-speed internet is provided. Artists also have access to facilities at KIAC which include video & sound equipment, art supplies, printing facilities, darkroom and performance space.
Per our rental agreement with Parks Canada, we do not allow any pets to accompany artists on their residencies.
We unfortunately do not allow children or family memebers to join artists during their residency.
Dawson Historical Complex protects over 17 buildings that are associated with the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. The site reflects the social, economic and political features that shaped the Yukon region over the last century. – Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, 1967-1982. For more on Dawson Historical Complex and the other Klondike National Historic Sites, please visit the Park Canada website.
For more information on the facility go to the KIAC web page.
Consideration will be given to professional, established and emerging Canadian and international artists.
Artist duos may apply, but must specify this in their application (do not apply separately).
All disciplines of media art will be considered, including but not limited to: Installation, Performance, Video and Film, Filmmaking, New Media, and Audio.
KIAC is committed to fostering a residency program that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of contemporary art. We actively encourage and prioritize applications from artists of diverse cultural, geographic, and disciplinary backgrounds, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC), as well as LGBTQIA2S+ artists, artists with disabilities*, and others who have been historically underrepresented in Canadian and international arts contexts.
*a note on accessibility: The house is only accesible by stairs and is also a 2 story house with both bedrooms and bathroom on the 2nd floor accesible only by stairs.
The KIAC Artist in Residence Program supports the research, development, and production of both new and ongoing bodies of work. We welcome a broad range of artistic approaches, from conceptual and research-based practices to hands-on production. While the residency is designed to be flexible and self-directed, artists should consider KIAC’s facilities and limited technical infrastructure when proposing their projects.
This program is best suited to practices that do not rely on specialized or large-scale equipment. Artists are expected to bring or independently arrange for any additional tools, technologies, or materials that are essential to their work.
Proposals are assessed by a selection committee based on:
• Artistic merit and originality
• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed project
• Relevance and adaptability to the residency context (including scale and resources)
• Potential for community engagement
• Diversity of Voices
B) Documentation of Work (sent to filmfest@kiac.ca)
Note: Do not .zip your files
Still Images:
10 to 20 images saved as .jpg files at 72 dpi in RGB colour mode. Label each image with a number and title – start the first nine images with a zero (01title.jpg, 02title.jpg…10title.jpg) to ensure they are presented in the desired order.
Please make video and audio files available online (ie Vimeo, Youtube, soundcloud, etc) and provide the url link(s) in one separate PDF.
Total running time is not to exceed 10 minutes. If work is longer than 10 miutes please indicate segmats to view.
*No compressed files, ftp, drop box, WeTransfer etc.
C) A PDF file including the following:
1. Residence Project Description & Artist’s Statement
Max 1 Page combined. Excess text will not be presented to the selections committee.
A clear and concise description what you propose to do during the residency.
An artist’s statement relating to the proposed work.
2. A current CV (max 3 pages)
3. Description of Documented Work
Still Images – a numbered list indicating artist, title, medium, dimensions, and date
Video/Audio/Time-based Work – a description indicating artist, title, medium, duration and date of work.
* Please include only the requested material in your proposal package. Packages that do not include all of the above will be deemed incomplete and may not be considered.
Please email complete applications to:
filmfest@kiac.ca.
Email subject line should read: “Lastname Filmfest Residence Submission.”
All supporting materials must be attached to ONE email.
Please mail complete applications to:
Klondike Institute of Art & Culture
c/o Film Festival Artist-in-Residency
Box 8000
Dawson City, Yukon, Y0B 1G0
Mailed submissions will not be returned.
For more information contact:
Dan Sokolowski, Film Festival and Media Arts Manager
Email: filmfest@kiac.ca
Phone: Klondike Institute of Art and Culture: 1-867-993-5005