Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan residency

Who is this residency for?

This program is for professional artists and artists’ collectives.

What are the program objectives?

This program aims to:

• support the creation of original works by Montréal artists in an unconventional setting
• stimulate interest in arts and science
• promote science and explore the relationship between arts and science
• exhibit/present the final project to Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan visitors

What type of assistance is provided?

The selected collective or artist will receive:

• a grant of $13,000 for living and research-creation-production expenses
• access to:
  • a workspace with the Planétarium team
  • a workshop/studio: creation and production dome
  • a 6-month residency, from the fall equinox to the spring equinox
  • the Chaos Theatre (movable seating) and the Milky Way Theatre (traditional seating)—technical specifications are available upon request
  • the recording and editing studio in the Biosphère
  • an exhibition space in the Planétarium building (to be determined according to the nature of the project)
• support worth $6,750 in services provided by the Planétarium (technical and material resources)
• up to $250 in travel expenses

How long does the support last?

This is a one-time, non-recurring grant.

The residency lasts twenty days beetween December 7, 2022 and June 21, 2023.

What do the partners contribute?

Along with access to the space, the Planétarium offers artists the chance to benefit from the expertise of its researchers (50 hours), specialized technicians (100 hours), specialists in animation and scientific design (50 hours), and also access to specialized equipment (creation dome – 15 days), the meteorite collection (5 hours of consultation), and a half-day training session on the creation dome.

What are the general conditions for eligibility?

Individual artists

• Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• A residential address in one of the partner cities for at least one year
• Recognition as a professional artist
• The completion of at least one wholly realized professional art project

Artists’ collectives

• A designated member in charge of the application
• Status as a group of artists, regardless of the number (minimum two artists)
• At least two thirds of the member-artists hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residence; the proportion of members residing outside Canada may not exceed one third
• A majority of members (50% +1) must reside in one of the partnership cities, including the person in charge of the application
• Must be composed of professional artists

What types of projects are eligible?

All genres of art are eligible. The project’s subject and scope, and how well it aligns with the Planétarium’s mission, are important factors. The project can be immersive and use the physical elements available to the Planétarium if required. All mediums are eligible.

What is the timeframe to complete the work?

The residency begins twenty days before the opposition of Mars on December 7, 2022, and ends at the summer solstice on June 21, 2023.

How many applications will be accepted?

One project will be accepted.

Who is ineligible to apply?

Ineligible applicants

• Individual artists and artists’ collectives that do not meet the general and specific eligibility requirements
• Non-profit arts organizations
• Public or parapublic organizations representing governments or municipal corporations
• Organizations dedicated to teaching, education, and professional training

Ineligible projects

• Projects completed before receiving the Planétarium’s response
• Sound recording projects (albums)
• Projects that are essentially promotional or educational
• Capital projects or projects to acquire specialized equipment

Ineligible activity sectors

• Organizations working exclusively in comedy or variety
• Applicants working exclusively in cultural mediation

Ineligible applications

• Incomplete applications
• Applications received after the deadline

The selection committee will not consider ineligible applications.

How do I apply?

Visit Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan’s website for more information or to submit your application.

How are applications evaluated?

The selection committee be particularly receptive to projects that deal with current environmental concerns (choice of materials, project life cycle), inclusivity and public experience, innovative museum approaches (sensory experience), and  women and girls in science.

The committee will be composed of members of the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan team and external professionals with a broad range of expertise, experience and perspectives.

What are the evaluation criteria?

Quality of artistic work 25 % (record of completed projects and experience, quality, consistency and reception of works)

• Quality of previous work
• Quality of the application as a whole

Feasibility of the project 30 %

• Achievable in the given time frame
• Applicant expertise and autonomy
• Applicant ability to carry out the project
• Technical feasibility of the proposed project

Merit and relevance of the project 45 %

• Relevance of the objectives
• Clarity
• Continuity in the process
• Exploration of new creative avenues
• Originality and innovation
• Contribution to creative diversity

What is the response time?

It will take four (4) to five (5) weeks from the date of the application for the Conseil to process it and reach a decision.

How will the grant be paid?

The grant offered by the Conseil will be paid through the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan.

The $13,000 grant will be paid in two instalments:

• $10,000 at the start of the residency (Conseil portion)
• $3,000 upon submission of the final report (Planétarium portion)

What are my obligations?

Accepting payment of the grant constitutes, for the recipient, an undertaking to complete the activities covered by the grant and to comply with the accompanying conditions, which will be communicated upon acceptance of the application.

The collective or artist undertakes to:

• carry out the project as planned
• notify the Conseil as soon as possible if unable to carry out the project in the fiscal year for which the grant was awarded. The grant recipient may be obliged to reimburse some or all of the amount awarded
• if requested, submit activity reports and financial statements at the required times
• as applicable, include with the report photographs, videos or any other relevant, royalty-free visuals that the Conseil may use for promotional purposes

Sign up for a visit to the Rio Tinto Alcan Planétarium on September 26, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m