doris mccarthy artist-in-residence program

The Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program offers a short-term opportunity for artists to be immersed in, and inspired by, the former home and studio of Canadian artist Doris McCarthy (1910-2010).

McCarthy’s home, Fool’s Paradise — a modest cottage overlooking the magnificent Scarborough Bluffs — nurtured her creative process and artistic expression. She wanted other artists to find their inspiration by spending time in these same unique surroundings.

The Ontario Heritage Trust created the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program not only to open the doors to new generations of artists, but also to make space for them to engage and explore concepts of place, identity and history in a unique heritage setting. At Fool’s Paradise, the future of heritage in Ontario is shaped by its creatives.

Program highlights:

• the program is targeted at artists from a variety of disciplines who want to work on a project that engages with place, identity or history that would benefit from time spent at Fool’s Paradise
• artists in residence live and work in a quaint and cheery cottage on the spectacular Scarborough Bluffs, surrounded by Doris McCarthy’s favourite things
• at the end of the residency, artists will be asked to share their experience or work with the Trust — which could include participating in a social media post, sharing a record of the work (for example, a painting or print), or sharing a video (for example, a reading or performance)
• residencies are for single individuals who will live and work alone at the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Centre for the duration of their stay (one to two months)
• residencies begin in mid-January and run throughout the year