The Local Arts Residency takes place at the Kingston Grand Theatre and provides space and support to Kingston’s performing artists to explore ideas, create and nurture new directions in their work. The Residency was established in 2021 in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the performing arts, and to expand City investment in local artist development. It is now an annual program that supports local performing artists and enhances the Kingston Grand Theatre as an artistic community hub.

The Residency is delivered by the City’s Arts & Culture Services department, who are responsible for managing and operating the Kingston Grand Theatre as a civic asset that builds and fosters cultural vitality in Kingston, and Grand OnStage, a multi-disciplinary arts program that presents over 50 unique national and international presentations along with a variety of engagement and learning programs.

2024 Call for Applications - Now Closed

The City of Kingston is seeking applications for its 2024 Kingston Grand Theatre Local Arts Residency from Kingston-based *emerging or mid-career professional artists or collectives working in theatre, dance, music, circus, comedy, or inter-disciplinary practices. Through the residency, participants are encouraged to explore new ideas, create, self-direct their research and time, and nurture new directions in their work.

Artists-in-residence will receive in-kind use of the Baby Grand, a dynamic black-box theatre featuring state-of-the-art equipment, professional support in technical production, and an honourarium of $1,000. Three artists will be selected through an open call by a committee of past Local Residency Artists.

Application period: March 12 – April 15, 2024 - Now Closed

Review period: April 15 – May 13, 2024

Residency dates:

• July 2-5
• July 16-19
• July 23-26

2023 Artists-in-Residence

Four artists-in-residence were selected for the 2023 Local Arts Residency including Megan Hamilton, Benedictus Mattson, Devanshi Mishra & Movement Market Collective, Jane Kirby & David Parker, and Nice On.

Videos of the artists-in-residences were recorded at the Kingston Grand Theatre to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the artists and work created and explored. Videos created by Jay Middaugh.

All videos can be viewed on the Kingston Grand Theatre YouTube channel.