Artist residency | Espace pour la vie

This residency aims to support the creation of an original work inspired by one or more themes explored in the Planetarium’s upcoming exhibition, opening in December 2026. The exhibition traces the journey of the Voyager probes, the famous Golden Record sent into space in 1977, and the profound questions it raises about communication, memory, identity, and our relationship with the universe.

The Planetarium is a place where science, creativity, and public outreach converge. Its research teams, specialists, and facilities offer a unique setting to foster an artistic approach inspired by astronomy and space exploration.

Who is eligible to apply?

This program is aimed at professional artists, professional artist collectives working in visual arts.

What are the program’s objectives?

This program is designed to:

• Support the creation of an original work
• Provide artists with a stimulating environment for research and creation
• Foster dialogue between artistic practices and scientific knowledge
• Encourage the creative exploration of the issues, knowledge, and themes specific to the host institution
• Contribute to the visibility and appreciation of science through contemporary artistic creation
• Share these reflections with the public through the presentation of the completed work

What assistance is provided?

Click the link to learn more and submit your application.

• a grant of up to $15,000 to cover residency and creation expenses
• 40 hours of access to the CAM’s studios, based on the artist’s needs
• free access to the Planetarium’s activities for the duration of the residency
• up to 30 hours of meetings with specialists
• access to certain specialized equipment, including telescopes and a 3D printer
• a temporary workspace
• support aimed at promoting the completed work

How long does the support last?

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

What are the general eligibility criteria?

Individual artists

• Have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Have been residing on the Island of Montréal for at least one year
• Be recognized as a professional artist in visual arts
• Have completed at least one professional art project

Artists’ collectives

• Be represented by a designated member in charge of the application
• Be a group of artists, regardless of the number (minimum two artists)
• Be made up of two thirds of members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with the proportion residing outside Canada not exceeding one third
• Be made up of a majority of the group’s members (50% +1), including the person who submitted the application, residing on the Island of Montréal
• Be made up of professional artists in visual arts

What types of projects are eligible?

Projects must:

• Consist of a new original creation
• Be inspired by one or more themes related to the Voyager space probes and their iconic Golden Record
• Be developed during the residency period, from January to August 2027
• Be designed for public presentation at the Planétarium
• Include consideration of universal accessibility in the proposed experience, whether through the design of the artwork itself or through the implementation of adapted mediation and engagement measures

When must the project be carried out?

The residency will run for 6 months between January and August 2027. 

How many applications will be accepted?

Only one project will be selected.

Who is ineligible to apply?

Applicants

• Artists who have participated in a residency at Espace pour la vie within the past five years
• Individuals who will not be physically present in Montréal for the majority of the residency period
• Individuals who have not attended one of the mandatory information sessions and site visits
• Employees of the Conseil des arts de Montréal or Espace pour la vie
• Applications that do not meet the program’s eligibility requirements

Projects

• Projects completed before receiving the Insectarium’s response
• Composition or musical performance projects
• Projects that are essentially promotional or educational
• Capital projects or projects to acquire specialized equipment
• Cultural mediation projects 

Applications

• Incomplete applications
• Applications received after the submission deadline

The evaluation committee will automatically reject ineligible applications.

How do I apply?

Check out this link to learn more and submit your application.

How are applications evaluated?

The committee will be composed of members of Espace pour la vie team and external professionals with a broad range of expertise, experience and perspectives.

The selection committee will be sensitive to current environmental concerns (e.g., choice of materials, project life cycle) and inclusion.

What are the evaluation criteria?

Quality of artistic work and presentation – 30%

•  Quality of previous work   
•  Innovative character and originality of artistic approach 
• Overall quality of the application and compliance with the guidelines for submitting the application 

Merit and relevance of the project – 35%

• Artists who have participated in a residency at Espace pour la vie within the past five years
• Individuals who will not be physically present in Montréal for the majority of the residency period
• Individuals who have not attended one of the mandatory information sessions and site visits
• Employees of the Conseil des arts de Montréal or Espace pour la vie
• Applications that do not meet the program’s eligibility requirements

Project management and financial stability – 20%

• Ability to carry out the project  
• Technical feasibility of the proposed project  
• Realism of budget forecasts and financial equilibrium 

Reflection on Project Accessibility – 10%

• Integration of universal accessibility principles into the design of the artwork or its presentation
• And/or relevance of the measures proposed to foster an accessible experience for diverse audiences
• Alignment of this reflection with the proposed artistic approach

Eco-responsible transition – 5%

• Integration and implementation of environmentally responsible practices, such as concrete actions to reduce the project’s ecological footprint in terms of creation, production, promotion, waste management, and team and equipment transportation; efforts to include eco-design, digital sobriety, and energy efficiency, etc. 

What is the response time?

Please allow eight to ten weeks for application processing between the submission deadline and the decision by the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Espace pour la vie.

How will the grant be paid?

The grant will be provided through the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Espace pour la vie.

The $15,000 grant will be paid in two instalments:

• $10,000 at the start of the residency by the Conseil des arts de Montréal (payment times may vary depending on the internal processing time of Ville de Montréal departments, which are beyond the control of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.)
• $5,000 upon submission of the final report by Espace pour la vie

What are my obligations?

Applicants who accept payment thereby agree to fulfill the activities the grant is intended to cover and comply with all associated terms and conditions, which will be communicated upon acceptance of the application.

The collective or artist agrees to:

• Carry out the project as proposed
• Notify Espace pour la vie and the Conseil des arts de Montréal as soon as possible of any major changes to the project for which funding was awarded, or of any inability to complete the project within the planned timeframe. Depending on the circumstances, partial or full repayment of the awarded grant may be required
• Acknowledge the support of the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Planétarium | Espace pour la vie in all communications related to the project
• If required, submit activity and financial reports at the prescribed intervals
• Where applicable, include in the final report photographs, videos, or any other relevant rights-cleared visual materials that may be used by the Conseil des arts de Montréal or Espace pour la vie for promotional or archival purposes

In addition, organizations, collectives, artists and their representatives agree at all times not to communicate with members of the evaluation committees or members of the Council’s Board of Directors in any matter relating to the management, evaluation or decisions related to their application.