Becoming an AIRS Artist

AIRS is looking for local professional or emerging artists who have a  passion for inspiring and mentoring students through the art  making process. Artists should be prepared to work collaboratively with  teachers to develop high quality community oriented projects that integrate perceptual and  technical skill development with curricular learning. Artists should be  committed to cultivating an environment of safety for creative  expression that honours the diversity of student experience and  acknowledges the importance of indigenous perspectives. Artists must  have prior experience working with children and be willing to embrace  the relational responsibilities and benefits of becoming part of a  school community.

Successful artists will develop a vision for their residency, in  consultation with teaching staff, for age appropriate, inquiry-based  projects that connect learning across the curriculum and explore ideas  or issues that are meaningful and relevant to students and their world.  The projects can be conceived as individual or collaborative, permanent  or ephemeral, and could encompass a range of visual media depending on  the expertise of the artist. The residency should be directed towards  the wellbeing of the school community in its diversity.  

Each residency will include a school-based exhibition, installation or performance to showcase student work and engage the whole school community. Artists will  also curate a selection of student work and documentation for an AIRS group  exhibition at the Vancouver School Board at the end of the school year.

We have a variety of residency opportunities including a mentorship program, short term studio residencies, and full year residencies which range in length from 5 to 24 weeks.

We offer industry standard compensation in accordance with CARFAC/RAAV.

“The experience the AIRS program had for me was profound. I cannot imagine my life now without the connections and inspiration the program provided. It is truly amazing to witness and be a part of.” 

- AIRS artist Holly Clarke