
ARTS LEADERSHIP RESIDENCY FUNDING
This funding program supports mid-career arts professionals who are Indigenous, Black, or a People of Colour who aspire to leadership roles in the arts (Executive Directors, Artistic Directors, Curators, Managing Directors, etc.) to undertake an extended residency with a host arts organization.
Within the arts sector in Calgary, there is a need to create pathways for racialized leaders in all disciplines to advance their networks, experience, skills, and knowledge. In specific response to addressing that need, and as part of the Rozsa Foundation’s long-term commitment to strengthening the arts sector, we are proud to offer the Arts Leadership Residency program.
The Host Organization will develop the funding application in conjunction with the Resident and submit it to the Rozsa Foundation, then use the funding exclusively to pay the wages of the Resident.
DEADLINES
Friday, June 20, 2025
Applications are due by 11:59pm on the deadline date.
Funding decisions are typically made within 6-weeks of the application deadline.
If you have questions about the program we recommend reaching out to us at least 4 weeks in advance of the deadline.
OVERVIEW
The Arts Leadership Residency provides $20,000 to support a residency of between 6 (full-time) and 12 (part-time) months, as designed by the Resident and Host Organization. A clear sense of the scope of the Residency, including the expected number of hours committed by the Resident, should be provided as part of the application.
This flexibility is intended to create a long-term relationship while leaving space for the Resident to continue their existing artistic / administrative practice outside of the Host Organization, if applicable. Please see the Arts Leadership Residency Guidelines (linked below) for additional details.
This funding program supports a flexible approach to high-impact, leadership-focused learning, with direct mentorship from the artistic and/or executive leadership of the Host Organization. The Resident and Host Organization should co-design the Residency plan to ensure that parties are clear on the goals, timelines, and workplan.
The Host Organization should ensure that they have the ability and capacity to be able to support the Resident in meeting their desired goals and can speak to the points and questions listed in the Guidelines document linked below.
The careful and considered design of the Residency, including responsiveness to the specific needs of the Resident, deliberate cultivation of leadership skills, and benefit to the growth and learning of both the Resident and Host Organization are central to the assessment of the applications.
The nature of this work will vary based on the Resident and Host Organization but should be centred on leadership-focused responsibilities such as programming and program development, strategic planning, partnership-building, casting, staff leadership and management, budgeting, working with the board, advocacy, and community relations, among others. It is important that the Resident not be looked upon to single-handedly address shortcomings in the Host Organization’s equity, diversity, and inclusion work.
We encourage interested individuals to approach organizations that can potentially meet your desired outcomes and encourage arts organizations to share this information with candidates who might be interested in a Residency.
While the focus of our funding supports is Calgary and the surrounding area, we recognize that individuals interested in a Residency may desire to work with a Host Organization that has racialized leadership, and that a suitable option may not be available within Calgary. As such, Calgary-based arts leaders can undertake the Arts Leadership Residency with a Host Organization elsewhere in the country, provided that it is a Canadian-registered charity. That Host Organization would then apply to the funding program to host the Resident in either a remote, in person, or hybrid residency.
WHO CAN APPLY
Resident Eligibility
If you are interested in undertaking a residency with a host organization, you should know that:
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This program is intended to support racialized individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Colour
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You must be a resident of Calgary or the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta
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You must be legally able to work in Canada
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You cannot be serving on the board or be employed as a staff member of the Host Organization
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You cannot have previously completed an Arts Leadership Residency
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You must agree to complete an interim report at the mid-point of the Residency period
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You must agree to complete a final report at the end of the Residency
Host Organizational Eligibility
To be eligible to host an Arts Leadership Residency, a Host Organization:
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Must be a Registered Canadian Charity with a valid CRA charitable business number (9 digits, 2 letters, 4 digits)
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Must be in operating in Canada
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Must be an arts-focused organization
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Must agree to hire the Resident as an Employee of the organization and agree to cover mandatory employment related costs (CPP, EI), and to provide additional wages to meet the scope of the designed residency, if necessary
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Must provide mentorship to the Resident by the Artistic Director, Managing Director, or similar leader of the company and introduce the Resident to the tasks and responsibilities that comprise their jobs as arts leaders
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Must agree to complete an interim report at the mid-point of the Residency period
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Must agree to complete a final report at the end of the Residency
Host Organizations can submit only one application per deadline.
Not sure about your eligibility? Contact Ayla Stephen at ayla@rozsafoundation.com.
HOW TO APPLY
Step One: Review the guidelines.
Please read through the program guidelines to get an initial understanding of the Arts Leadership Residency Funding program, the individuals and organizations it supports, and how applications are assessed.
Capture your questions and ideas about the work your organization is interested in, to begin shaping your proposal.
Step Two: Book a conversation.
If you are interested in applying, we recommend that you book a conversation with us. We will help to determine if your organization and project are eligible.
We recommend you book a conversation AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS prior to the deadline you plan to apply for.
Step Three: Complete your application.
Prepare your written application and budget and collect any required support material you need or want to include. Complete the online application form through the Reviewr portal by midnight of the application deadline.
We are working to have the application live in Reviewr by June 6, 2025. Please download the application template above to begin preparing your application.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have questions or feedback about the program, you are welcome to connect with our Funding Manager, Ayla Stephen. You can book a meeting with her at the link below.