Artist Residency
WHO:
This is an interdisciplinary artist residency for artists from ANY MEDIUM.
For our 2026 cohort we will be opening applications to anyone of any gender age 18 and ALL the way UP!
Historically From the Ground UP has invited residents who identify as women/femme artists. We will continue to prioritize women and femme artists by securing 10 of our 12 spots for them in our 2026 cohort, ensuring that 80% of our resources and energy will go towards supporting artists and stories that are by and about women/femme artists.
This change that we will pilot for 2026 is an effort to include all artists and stories left out of the cultural narrative. By extending our reach we offer place, space and platform so artists my bring their stories more fully into the world.
What our alumni have to say about their experience and the impact its had in their lives and artistry
In their own words
WHAT we do:
Our Artist Residency is a 6 month residency that will give participants the opportunity to create a new work of art alongside a cohort of other creating artists. The program culminates in a new works festival held in June, 2026.
Led by our Artistic Director Katherine Murphy Lewis, with support from visiting Artists and our company apprentice(s) each resident will receive the training, community and individual support needed to realize their unique creative vision. This residency gives participants the support, structure and resources needed to explore and create new work. Artists will begin with a ‘Raw Draft’ (aka a collection of new material that gravitates around a central theme) and leave with a ‘working draft’ (aka a draft that has been explored in depth in our residency and presented in our annual new works festival and is ready for the next stage of development.)
“I had the chance to find my courage to speak my truth. Doing things I’d never done before - which often ended up being far more rewarding than I could’ve imagined. I can’t imagine where my creative life would be right now without having found From the Ground Up.”
Incoming residents will engage in workshops, structured feedback sessions, one-on-one sessions with our Artistic Director and artistic team, while drawing upon a dynamic and inspiring cohort of other artists and makers. In this residency you will receive:
Personalized Direction
Creative Mentorship
Limited open studio time
Production support (ticketing, marketing, design and tech support)
Promotional materials (Production Photos and Video)
25 % discounts on our community workshops and intensives (CLICK HERE to see our workshops/intensives page for this years schedule)
Professional mentorship during and after you leave the program
A dynamic creative community of people all working towards the same goal.
You will leave having presented your emerging work in our annual festival, with greater self producing/directing skills, ongoing mentorship from From the Ground UP and their team and a production packet for your emerging work that is ready to enter the next stage of development, whatever that may be for you. Many of our alumni have gone on to take their works more fully into the world.
Several have continued onto the Liminal Series to fully realize their piece, including a national touring production You Can’t Be Serious, the seed of which was created in our residency by resident alumni Andrea Parson.
Whether you are focused on theater, dance, music, photography, multimedia piece or a blend of all of these mediums this 6-month residency will give you the tools and support needed to bring vision, focus and key foundational elements into your work and creative process. This residency is ideal for anyone wanting to create risky new art and who want to reclaim agency over their creative lives — and anyone else who has a story to tell!
“Working within this community for the last six months has revitalized a sense of belonging and a yearning to keep creating, to keep waking up and believing there is beauty and meaning and connection to be found.”
Program Details
WHEN:
January 2026-June 2026
Sessions will be held Sundays 11-2pm OR Tuesdays 11-2pm.
***Note: Schedules will be determined by the availability of the 2026 Selected Cohort
WHERE:
At the Historic Alberta House
COST:
In an effort to address disparity in a variety of economic circumstances and access to resources, we offer sliding scale payment options based on your relative financial standing. This payment system is designed for those with greater resources to help cover actual program costs thus helping us to offer subsidies and scholarships to those with less access to wealth and resources. We trust your discernment of your current financial situation.
SUPPORTING —- $5000
SUSTAINABLE —- $3750
ACCESSIBLE —- $2500
From the Ground UP is committed to ensuring that our programming remains accessible to all those interested. If the cost of this program is a barrier please email Katherine at katherineftgu@gmail.com.
. Please note that our financial assistance programs prioritize communities and individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford this program, including but not limited to BIPOC, low income, single parents, seniors living on a limited budget, and students