Residency Title: Near North Makerspace Artist-in-Residence
Organization: Near North Mobile Media Lab
Location: Near North Makerspace, 108 Main St East, North Bay, ON
Residency Period: 17 weeks: September 15 – January 12 (these dates are flexible)
Stipend: $15,700 total
The Artist will be put on payroll for 17 weeks. This $30/hr salary is based on the assumption that the Artist will spend approx 31 hrs/wk at this Residency.
Application Deadline: August 17, 2025

About Us

Near North Mobile Media Lab (N2M2L) is an artist-run-center for digital artists, filmmakers, and creators in Northern Ontario. We provide access to professional media equipment, skill-building workshops, artist residencies, and host public events. Our new project, the Near North Makerspace, operating in partnership with Art Fix of Nipissing, expands our focus into digital creation and fabrication, with an emphasis on experimentation, collaboration, and community impact.

Residency Overview

This unique 17-week residency supports one emerging artist working in digital or interdisciplinary media. The selected artist will have 24/7 access to a 2,000 sq ft makerspace equipped for media art, digital art, fabrication, and installation, including:

• 6K cameras, audio recording and podcasting tools, microphones
• Apple Computers with Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve
• iPad Pro, Wacom tablet
• Meta Quest VR headsets
• Projectors
• Large-format printer, Dye Sublimation Printer
• 3D printers, 3D scanner

The residency is designed to support self-directed learning and creative development. The selected artist will take the lead in shaping their own learning plan based on their artistic goals and areas of interest, with guidance and technical support from N2M2L staff. Mentorship will be available throughout the residency to support skill development, equipment training, and project execution, including one-on-one instruction, demos, and tutorials as needed.

As part of the residency, the artist will also have the opportunity to spend 1–2 weeks at our off-grid camper studio in Tilden Lake — a quiet, lakeside retreat just 30 minutes north of North Bay. This self-contained creative space offers uninterrupted time for reflection, production, and experimentation in a peaceful natural setting — an ideal opportunity to focus on your work.

Community Engagement

To deepen learning and connection, the artist will:

• Lead two public workshops
• Host weekly open studio sessions for youth or other artists
• Deliver a final artist talk or public presentation

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be under 30 years old at the start of the residency
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada (citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; work permits not eligible)
• Self-identify as underemployed (e.g., part-time, freelance, or underemployed relative to their education)\
• Have completed post-secondary studies

How to Apply

Submit your application by email to Sharon Switzer at [email protected] with the subject line:
“Makerspace Artist in Residence Application – [Your Name]”

Deadline to Apply: August 17, 2025

Please include the following in a single PDF or Word file (max 20MB):

• A project proposal or area of inquiry you’d like to explore (max 500 words)
• A short bio including any relevant experience and digital/media skills (max 250 words)
• An artist statement (max 250 words)
• Contact info: location, email, phone number, and (optional) website or social links
• Up to three work samples (images or links to video/audio)

Near North Mobile Media Lab is committed to equity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences.