A Launchpad for Emerging Artists
For more than five decades, Harbourfront Centre has supported emerging makers as they build the skills, confidence, and networks essential for sustainable careers in craft and design. The Craft & Design Studio is Canada’s only career‑focused artist‑in‑residence program dedicated to contemporary craft and design, offering opportunities in ceramics, design, glass, metal and textiles. Functioning as an incubator, the residency provides studio space, mentorship, teaching and exhibition opportunities, and a vibrant creative community that fosters hands‑on practice and professional growth.
Please note that our application and interview timeline is changing this year. Based on feedback, applications will now close in early December, with interviews held in February, either in person or online. This revised schedule better supports applicants through the application process and provides additional time to prepare for a September 1 start.
Questions about the Artist-in-Residence program? Email us at craft@harbourfrontcentre.com.
This program is made possible through the generous support of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Arts Training Fund.
Our annual Residency Program application period is now closed – thank you to everyone who applied.
The next intake will open in October 2026.
Craft & Design Studios
Residents gain 24‑hour access to fully equipped studios, alongside a range of benefits, including professional development through workshops, presentations, critiques, and networking events with visiting artists. Residents can teach classes and earn tuition, strengthening their skills as educators and communicators. Additional support from the program’s administrative staff includes professional develop workshops, business-planning guidance, and connections across the sector to help artists pursue exhibition, retail, commission, grant, and trade‑show opportunities.
Ceramic Studio
The Ceramic Studio provides emerging artists with the tools and environment needed to explore form, surface, and creative expression. Residents can pursue functional ware, sculptural work, or conceptual projects within a spacious, professionally equipped facility that supports both traditional and experimental approaches. With access to multiple kilns, wheels, and dedicated work areas, the studio encourages material exploration, technical growth, and consistent practice.
Equipment:
- Electric kilns: oval (16.5 cu ft), round (7 cu ft)
- Bailey front‑loading gas kiln (31 cu ft stack space)
- Extruder
- Pottery wheels
- Test Kiln
- Slab roller
- Spray booth (47″ × 39″)
- Worktables (6′ × 3′)
- Ware racks (2 per resident)
- Storage
Design Studio
The Design Studio offers emerging designers a flexible, well‑equipped environment for exploring product design, material research, digital modeling, and interdisciplinary experimentation. With access to industry‑standard software and workspace suited to sketching, rapid iteration, and prototype development, residents can advance projects ranging from functional objects to craft‑driven explorations.
Equipment:
- Mac computers (2)
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Storage
Glass Studio
The Glass Studio offers emerging artists a rare opportunity to work across hot, warm, and cold glass processes. Residents can develop sculptural, functional, or experimental work using furnaces, kilns, cold‑shop tools, and casting equipment. The studio’s active environment supports skill building, enabling artists to push technical boundaries and refine personal aesthetics. Public‑facing activities further expand professional experience and the immersive space empowers glass artists to develop a confident, sustainable practice.
Equipment:
- Gas furnace with 350 lb crucible
- Glory holes (single burner, double burner)
- Annealers (5, digital controls)
- Electric oval kiln (12 cu ft)
- Electric slumping kiln (5 cu ft)
- Garage
- Belt sander
- Diamond saw
- Drill press
- Grinder (lap wheel)
- Lathe (1″ spindle)
- Sandblaster
- Wax/plaster casting setup
- Storage
Metal Studio
The Metal Studio supports emerging jewellers and metalsmiths working across fine jewellery, small objects, and sculptural work. Equipped for fabrication, forming, soldering, and finishing, the studio allows residents to explore a wide range of traditional and experimental techniques. With access to specialized tools residents can develop precise craftsmanship while refining their creative voice, making the studio an ideal environment for strengthening both technical ability and artistic direction.
Equipment:
- Anvils and mandrels
- Band saw
- Scroll saw
- Belt sander
- Draw plates
- Drill press
- Enameling kiln
- Foredom flex shafts
- Hydraulic press
- Magnetic and rotary tumblers
- Pickle pot
- Polishing machine
- Ring stretcher
- Rolling mills
- Sandblaster
- Shears
- Soldering stations (oxygen/propane)
- Ultrasonic cleaner
- Vice
- Wax injector
- Storage
Textile Studio
The Textile Studio provides emerging artists with a versatile space ideal for printmaking, dyeing, sewing, weaving, pattern development, and mixed‑media exploration. With professional dye facilities, a dark room, large print tables, and sewing equipment, residents can work across techniques ranging from screen printing to soft sculpture. The studio supports both traditional craft and contemporary experimentation, offering the space and tools needed to develop cohesive bodies of work.
Equipment:
- Dark room
- Vacuum table for screen printing
- Wash‑out sink
- Dye‑mixing hood
- Dye setup with gas burner
- Industrial steamer
- 35”, 45” and 60” Floor Looms
- 24” Table Top Loom
- Sewing machines
- Print table (16′ × 5′)
- Work tables
- Storage
Residency Requirements and Application Process
Who Should Apply?
The residency is open to emerging post‑graduate artists or those with equivalent training who demonstrate strong technical and conceptual skills within one of the supported disciplines. Applicants are selected for their creative potential and readiness to grow their professional practice.
Applicants should review these expectations before applying. Residents must:
- Demonstrate ongoing creative and technical development
- Work cooperatively, respectfully, and responsibly within a shared studio environment
- Show progress in their practice and a willingness to work publicly, as studio spaces are visible to visitors
- Be competent working without a studio technician and confident troubleshooting equipment issues
- Understand and follow all studio health and safety protocols
- Pay for their own materials and hand tools
- Meet deadlines and self‑directed targets
- Commit to the residency schedule and requirements of working in the Studio at least 24 hours per week during public operating hours
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
To apply for the Annual Artist‑in‑Residence program, you must:
- Have an active emerging career-level practice
- Hold a post‑secondary degree, diploma, or equivalent training
- Have graduated within the last five years
- Demonstrate a thorough technical and conceptual foundation in ceramics, design, glass, metal or textiles
- Show talent, skill, innovation, and potential for further artistic development
Applicants are permitted to apply to the program up to three times.
2. Prepare Your Application Materials
A complete online application includes:
- Online application form
- Portfolio images formatted to required specifications:
- 72 dpi
- Max 1024 × 768 pixels
- Only 3 detail or installation shots; all other images must be single‑work images
Only complete applications are accepted.
3. Submit Your Online Application
- All applications must be submitted online.
- No emailed or mailed applications will be accepted.
Applications must be received by the deadline on Friday, December 7, 2026, 11:59 pm EST.
4. If Selected, Attend an Interview
In early January, applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Applicants selected to move forward will be invited to an interview and required to submit two Letters of Recommendation.
Letters should come from established professionals, such as mentors, professors, supervisors, or employers, who are familiar with the applicant’s creative, technical, and conceptual abilities.
Interviews are 40 minutes and take place with the Selection Committee on weekdays in mid-February. Interviews may be completed in person or by video call.
Candidates must prepare a presentation of up to 15 digital images and provide 3 – 6 completed artworks for the Selection Committee to review in person.
Candidates interviewing by video call are required to ship their completed artworks to Harbourfront Centre in advance of the interview and are responsible for all associated shipping and return costs. Candidates attending an in-person interview are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Interview Format:
- 5 min – Set up
- 15 min – Image presentation
- 10 min – Viewing and discussion of work
- 10 min – Q&A
- 5 min – Wrap up
The selection committee will include:
- Manager, Craft & Design
- Coordinator, Craft & Design
- Two external advisers
- Current Artists‑in‑Residence
5. Receive Your Residency Offer
If accepted into the Residency Program:
- You will sign a one‑year contract starting September 1, renewable up to three years.
- You will pay a monthly license fee of $110.70 CAD (includes HST & insurance).
- You are responsible for all living, travel, and material costs (no stipend provided).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the residency for?
Emerging artists and makers trained in ceramics, design, glass, metal or textiles who are seeking to build a professional career in contemporary craft and design.
2. How long is the residency?
The Full-time Residency is a one‑year contract, renewable for up to three years.
3. What does the program provide?
Residents receive:
- 24‑hour studio access
- Mentorship
- Opportunities to exhibit work
- Opportunities to teach classes to the public
- Access to lectures, workshops, and professional development events
- Library and software access
- Reduced‑rate parking and cultural venue discounts
4. Are international applicants eligible?
If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you may be eligible to apply for an International Experience Canada work permit in the ‘Working Holiday’ category. To participate, your country of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada that allows you to apply for an IEC work permit. To find out which countries have agreements with Canada and if you’re eligible to apply, visit www.cic.gc.ca/English/work/iec/eligibility.asp. Please note that the USA currently does not have such an agreement. Most ‘Working Holiday’ permits are valid for 12-24 months.
Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: International Experience Canada to find out more: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html.
5. Do residents receive housing or a stipend?
No. Residents must cover their own housing, travel, materials, and living costs.
A monthly license fee applies.
6. Who can write my recommendation letters?
Letters should come from established professionals, such as mentors, professors, supervisors, or employers, who are familiar with the applicant’s creative, technical, and conceptual abilities.
Grants
Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre is a third party recommender for Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Exhibition Assistance Grants for Craft Artists in Ontario.
OAC Exhibition Assistance Grants — ranging from $500 to $2000 — are for exhibition preparation (ie. materials, framing and preparation, crating and transportation).
Annual Jury Deadline: September 15 and January 14 (or the next business day).
To learn more, please consult the OAC’s website here.
You can find a list of of all Exhibition Assistance recommenders here.
Benefits
Access
Full-time Artists-in-Residence have 24-hour access to the facilities.
Advisers
Each studio has two volunteer, professional Artistic Advisers to give advice, offer critiques and suggestions about career direction and work development.
Professional Development
We organize a series of events primarily for Artists-in-Residence and the greater craft and design community with national and international artists and professionals – lectures, workshops, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions.
Classes
Artists-in-Residence have the opportunity to teach classes. Class structure varies depending on each studio. Artists-in-Residence earn tuition for classes.
Exhibition Opportunities
Artists-in-Residence may have the opportunity to exhibit their work in one of the many on-site venues.
Library & Resources
We have a small but comprehensive library and additional resources. Artists-in-Residence have free access to a computer, printer, photocopier, phone and fax machine for business purposes.
Parking
Reduced-rate parking is available for all Artists-in-Residence.
