Additional Information for Applicants

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Residencies are available for research, development and production of ongoing or new bodies of work. Artists' proposed projects should take into account KIAC's limited resources. Projects that do not require access to specialized equipment (currently available resources listed below) are most suitable for this residency program. Artists are responsible for providing any additional specialized equipment.

MACAULAY RESIDENCE FACILITIES

The Artist in Residence facilities are located in the Macaulay Residence. Constructed in 1901, this 2-story home is now owned by Parks Canada as part of the Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site of Canada. Residents are provided with an individual studio space and bedroom, along with shared living room, bathroom and kitchen areas. The residence has basic furnishings and includes: TV with VCR/DVD (no cable), phone service (residents must use a calling card, available locally, for long distance service), CD player/radio in living room, radios in each studio, shared onsite computer (description below) with high speed Wireless and Ethernet internet access, linens & towels, radio/alarm clocks in each bedroom, basic household & cleaning supplies, a clothes washer & dryer, a small and rather eclectic collection of books and a modest one-speed bicycle for each resident. The studio spaces measure 16’ x 14’ and 13’ x 12’ respectively and are provided with some natural light (varies seasonally), additional portable studio lights, wall space, shelving and basic furnishings including chair, stool, adjustable drafting table, work table, small portable cabinets, and basic hand tools: hammer, multi-bit screwdriver, staple gun, tape measure, small cutting, needle-nose and gripping pliers. There may be limited access, by special request, to additional KIAC facilities and equipment, subject to availability.
Computer Description: 1.33 GHZ EMAC - 80G hard drive – CD/DVD Burner - 2 USB and 2 Firewire ports. It is running Mac OS 10.3.9 and also Mac Classic. Software: has the complete Adobe CS suite (Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat Pro) as well as Macromedia MX Design suite (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Freehand) and Final Cut Express on it - plus the usual Mac programs, (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, iDvd, Garageband, Microsoft Word and Power Point). There is a basic Canon flatbed scanner (no slide attachment) that runs in Classic Mode and an HP4160 Inkjet printer (there is a per page user fee for printing to cover the costs of ink cartridge replacement).

KIAC ODDFELLOWS HALL FACILITIES

While the Artist in Residence facilities are located in the Macaulay Residence, residents may have limited scheduled access by request, subject to availability and approval, to additional resources (listed below) housed at KIAC’s Oddfellows Hall. It is understood that use of equipment by artists is related to their proposed projects and work. Artists must also be familiar with equipment operation, as KIAC does not provide Tech Support. Most access is free of charge except where direct material or utility costs are incurred, in which case there may be a user fee charged.
Fax and B & W Photocopier, for reasonable amounts of usage
High Speed Internet Access
Mac G4 Computer with Scanner, CD Burner & Printer (scanner & printer not of professional quality)
Digital Still Camera
Mini Disc Recorder
Mini Digital Video Cameras with Sound Recording & Lighting Equipment
Mac Digital Video Editing Suites with Final Cut Pro, I Movie, Fame Thief & CD/DVD Burner
Photo Flood Kit
Electric Kiln
In addition, limited access to a temporary darkroom may be arranged for black & white developing and printing. Also, there may be limited access to power tools such as a hand-held drill, miter saw and circular saw. Please, contact the residency coordinator for details regarding equipment and facilities. Availability of equipment & facilities varies throughout the year and is used for other ongoing KIAC programming, which has priority.

OUTREACH PROGRAMMING

Artists in Residence are asked to provide one free public presentation during their stay in Dawson City. Artists are asked to bring work documentation materials with them for the purpose of projection – KIAC can project 35mm slides and digital images and video on DVD or CD, and audio. Please contact the Residency Coordinator if you have questions regarding the compatibility of your work documentation with KIAC’s equipment. Artists in Residence may have the opportunity to provide additional outreach programming beyond the required free public presentation. Please note that courses/workshops can only be offered subject to KIAC programming approval and facilitation. Artists interested in facilitating a workshop through KIAC are encouraged to contact the Residency Coordinator well in advance of arriving in Dawson for their residency. Artists may also have the opportunity to facilitate workshops in the local Elementary & Secondary School through KIAC’s Artist in the Schools Program.

KIAC

The Klondike Institute of Art and Culture is operated by the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS), a non-profit organization whose mandate is to create an environment for the advancement of the arts. To achieve this mandate, DCAS established the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture in 1999, followed by the Odd Gallery in 2000. KIAC operates out of the renovated 7,500 sq foot Oddfellows Hall and offers a broad range of year round education, creation and presentation programming. Browse the website to view KIAC's diverse scope of activities.

KIAC SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS

The KIAC School of Visual Arts is offering an exciting new accredited visual arts program which will provide students with the first year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a Bachelor of Arts in Design. The Foundation Year program is being offered through a partnership between the Dawson City Art Society, Yukon College, and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. After completing the Foundation Year program, students will be able to transfer directly into a number of Canada’s top art colleges.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Dawson City is a unique, small and isolated northern town. In spite of (or perhaps because of) that, it is a diverse and active community with many opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Please review the information listed below for a better idea of life in Dawson City.

LOCATION

Dawson City, Yukon is situated at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon rivers, 230 km south of the Arctic Circle. It is 536 km northwest of Whitehorse – approximately 5.5 hours driving on a good road or 1 hour by scheduled airline flight. POPULATION: Fluctuates seasonally from approximately 1,500 – 2,500 people.

CLIMATE

January-March: Temperatures can range from –10 Celsius to –50 Celsius.
April-May: Snow starts to melt in April and is typically gone by the start of May.
June-August: Temperatures can range from 0 Celsius to +30 Celsius.
September-October: Temperatures can range from above 0 down to –20 Celsius. The snow starts to fly.
November-December: Temperatures can range from –10 Celsius to –50 Celsius.

Dawson City experiences seasonal extremes of daylight hours from 21 hours in June to 4 hours in December.

TRAVEL

Canadian Artists in Residence may apply for available Travel Assistance for Professional Artists funding through the Canada Council for the Arts and/or other regional Arts Councils. Dawson City is accessible by car and air. Air North offers flights 6 days a week in the summer and 3 in the winter from Whitehorse to Dawson. There are no same day connecting flights to Dawson – travellers will have at least a one-day lay over in Whitehorse. Air North offers flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Juneau and Fairbanks. Air Canada also flies between Vancouver and Whitehorse. Greyhound Bus Lines provides service to Whitehorse from points south. There is currently no bus service from Whitehorse to Dawson. Car Rentals are available year round in Whitehorse. There are no Car Rentals in Dawson.

www.flyairnorth.com
www.aircanada.com

SERVICES

Artists in Residence should be aware of the location and isolation of Dawson City. Also, the cost of living and basic equipment and supplies are substantially higher than in most parts of Canada. Some products and services are unavailable or difficult to find.

FOOD, STORES, LIBRARY, BANKING

Dawson City has a good variety of stores and services for a small northern town. Year-round: 2 grocery stores, hardware store, lumber yard, restaurants, bookstore, pharmacy, Canada Post, camera/photofinishing shop, etc. Some other stores, shops and services are seasonal. Prices for most items are higher than you would find in the south (but probably not as bad as you may think). The local public library has a limited collection. Only one bank is available, CIBC, with 24 hr bank machine access. Debit and Credit Cards are accepted throughout town.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

There is no hospital in Dawson City. There is a walk-in nursing station and medical clinic staffed by Nurses and Doctors. There is no resident Dentist. Artists must ensure they have proper medical coverage/insurance before arriving in Dawson. Uninsured medi-vacs (air ambulance) to Whitehorse or Vancouver are very expensive.

ART SUPPLIES

There is no local Art Supply Store. A few stores offer a very limited supply of basic artist's materials. Artists should not expect to be able to purchase professional quality artist's materials in Dawson. Artists should bring supplies with them or mail supplies ahead or call to inquire about the availability of certain products. Artists may order products through KIAC suppliers once they are in Dawson with the understanding that delivery can take 10-14 days.

RECREATION & SPECIAL EVENTS

Dawson City has a wide variety of recreation and special events opportunities available to residents and visitors. The community hosts many special events throughout the year including a Music Festival, Arts Festival and an International Short Film Festival. There is an abundance of outdoor activities including, canoeing, walking and hiking with suitable opportunities for all skill/fitness levels. Dawson City also has a good variety of recreation facilities including an indoor ice rink (seasonal), an indoor pool (seasonal) and a gymnasium with a wide variety of scheduled activities. Additional information and events listings may be found on the following websites:

www.DawsonCity.ca
www.travelyukon.com/en
www.yukoninfo.com