FEELed Lab/Woodhaven Artist-and-Scientist in Residence (ASiR)
UBC Okanagan, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 11:59pm PT
The FEELed Lab/Woodhaven Artist-and-Scientist in Residence Program provides a paid residency opportunity for an artist-scientist pair for 10-14 days within the period of 1 March – 2 April, 2027.
The objective of ASiR is to offer dedicated time and space for exploring and activating the intersection of artistic and scientific ways of knowing and doing. Artistic-scientific collaborations push possibilities in both areas of research, providing opportunities for researchers to share knowledges and methods, while finding exciting spaces of overlap. Big conversations about values, impact and the ‘why’ of this kind of work can be convened, and the inherited boundaries and assumptions of our own ways of knowing/doing can be challenged. New modes of research and public engagement can emerge.
The Woodhaven/FEELed Lab ASiR focuses on questions of environmental or climate justice, broadly construed, in line with the values of the FEELed Lab. We particularly look forward to supporting projects that engage with local or regional ecologies, and that complement our current and past pursuits.
ASiR is designed for a professional artist and a professional scientist pair:
(a) who are in the initial stages of a collaboration. It will offer dedicated time together to explore common interests, exchange methods and knowledge, and potentially develop a larger collaborative initiative to pursue post-ASiR; – OR –
(b) who are wrapping up a collaborative research project. It will offer dedicated time together to work on knowledge mobilization (e.g. writing/editing of papers, public-facing communication, video or sound work, etc.)
We will also consider furthering research in ongoing collaborations, if the proposed project suits the timeframe, location and available research infrastructure. ASiR values care-ful process over predetermined output or product.
Facilities
This residency includes shared accommodation in a large two-bedroom/one-bathroom ground floor apartment, with a full kitchen, dining and living room, located at the Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre. It also includes full use of a dedicated studio on the property, a 360 square foot space featuring 10-foot walls and large sliding glass doors to maximize natural light. Surrounded by mature fir and pine trees, it serves as a creative space for collaborative production and research. Please note, minimal equipment is available at Woodhaven. UBC’s Okanagan Campus (a 30-minute drive away from the residence location) features a staffed woodshop and metal shop, which can be booked ahead of time.
Project Expectations
The Artist-Scientist pair should be prepared to execute their project independently, although we welcome engagement with our researchers and surrounding community.
In addition to completing their proposed activities, the successful applicant pair will be asked to (a) offer an informal talk about the collaboration to a class of students on campus (e.g. in our Visual Arts or Sustainability degree programs). The FEELed Lab will facilitate this; and/or (b) some form of public outreach event in the form of a workshop, open studio, talk or demonstration for the wider communities – from UBCO, and Kelowna, etc. The FEELed Lab/FCCS will assist in coordinating communications and advertising.
We ask that the applicant pair compile a brief FEELed Note about their experience within one month of the residency’s finish.
Eligibility
This residency is open to Canadian and international creative practitioners (visual and performance artists, filmmakers, social practice artists, writers, etc) and scientists.[1] We particularly encourage applications from syilx Okanagan and neighbouring Indigenous community artists and scientists, as well as those from other marginalized groups that are systematically underrepresented in ecologically-focused creative practice.
Compensation
Both successful applicants will be paid a fee of $1500 CAD (each) for a stay between 10-14 days. The fee is intended to cover an honorarium, as well as any local travel within the area, per diem and incidentals, and any materials the pair requires. The fee is paid once the residency is complete.
Additionally, FEELed Lab/FCCS will cover the cost of economy travel (airfare, train, bus, or car mileage) up to a maximum of $2000 CAD per person. If travel costs exceed $2000 for either participant, applicants are encouraged to identify supplemental sources of funding. Travel costs up to $2000 will be reimbursed upon completion of travel and submission of receipt. (Alternatively, FCCS can pay directly for e.g. airfare up to $2000.)
Selection Process
A selection committee made up of FEELed Lab and community-based researchers, who will review all eligible applications based on the following selection criteria:
- Demonstrated record of professional practice in creative practice (artist) and in relevant field of scientific inquiry (scientist)
- Quality of past and proposed creative/scientific practice and public engagement activities
- Previous and/or proposed connection to the work of the FEELed Lab or to local or regional environmental/climate-related questions
- Commitment to the values and guiding principles of the FEELed Lab in the project proposal
- Capacity for and interest in working collaboratively
Applicants will be contacted in mid-November 2026 with the results of their application.
the Woodhaven Ecoculture Centre
Submission Requirements
- A proposal (up to 1000 words) that includes:
- Motivation for your interest in this residency
- Your capacity to work together as an artist-scientist pair, including points of convergence in your work or any past collaboration
- A description of the work you plan to carry out during your residency and how it relates to the local or regional site, its connection to environmental/climate justice issues, and its alignment with FEEled Lab values and guiding principles
- Your plan for community engagement (e.g. open studio, workshop, talk)
- A CV which documents your professional practice, your community engagement experience, and contact information (including telephone and email address)
- Contact information for 2 referees who can speak to your past and current work
- Links to a portfolio/website, publications or other produced work
- Desired length of stay and any date preferences between 1 March-2 April 2027.
How to Submit
All application materials must be received by the application deadline. Please send one PDF document that includes all of the requirements via email to: feeledlab@gmail.com
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 11:59pm PT
For additional information or questions, please contact: feeledlab@gmail.com
[1] In order to comply with Canadian work permit regulations, international applicants must be eligible to apply for a 30 days or less work permit exemption, meaning their job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 or 1 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This stipulates that they will work for only one of the following short periods of time: up to 15 consecutive days once every 6 months; up to 30 consecutive days once every 12 months.
The FEELed lab 