artist residencies

Based at the University of Alberta, the Co-Designing a Smartwear Revolution project is inviting two visual artists to take part in a Spring 2027 residency, engaging directly with our research team ahead of the 2028 SUPPORT festival where works created during or as a result of the residency will be showcased. A residency is time and space to explore, research, and develop ideas alongside our interdisciplinary team. We are offering two residencies, one in person and one virtual. We welcome national and international artists and artist-researchers of all abilities.

Collaborating across disciplines — including arts, technology, design, and healthcare — we are developing “smart” fibres that adapt to support movement, care, and everyday life. Our goal is to create accessible, intelligent clothing that can learn to assist mobility for people with muscle weakness, including disabled people, aging individuals, caregivers, and healthcare workers. This project involves over 100 researchers working in fields such as textile science, AI, robotics, and social justice.

The application is in two stages. Stage 1 involves submitted an Expression of Interest by December 15, 2026.

Smartwear artist residencies provide time and space to explore, research, and develop ideas alongside our interdisciplinary team. We are offering two residencies in Spring 2027:

In-Person Residency – 1 artist

Two months, May-June 2027

One artist will work in person with the Smartwear Revolution research team over a supported period of research and experimentation, contributing to and engaging with ongoing interdisciplinary development. The residency offers direct access to the labs involved in the Smartwear Revolution project for inspiration and immersion in the research, along with opportunities for conversations with researchers, technologists, and other project personnel across disciplines. The artist-in-residence will also have the chance to arrange studio visits to exchange ideas and get feedback on work in progress.

In addition to having access to an artist studio at the University of Alberta, the artist-in-residence will have access to:

• University of Alberta libraries

• Painting, printmaking, media art and sculpture facilities within the University of Alberta Art & Design department (please note, not all studios are fully accessible).

• Digital Scholarship Centre

• ELKO Garage

• student research assistance

Virtual Residency – 1 artist

One artist will take part in a fully online residency, developing their own artistic work in relation to the Smartwear Revolution project, over a supported period of research and experimentation. The residency offers virtual tours of the labs involved in the project for inspiration and immersion in the research, along with opportunities for online conversations with researchers, technologists, and other project personnel across disciplines. Artists will also have the chance to arrange virtual studio visits with artists and curators affiliated with the project to exchange ideas and get feedback on work in progress.

Outcomes

Both the in-person and virtual artists-in-residence will create artwork, performance or fashion creations for the 2028 Support festival. The work does not have to be created during the 2027 residency, but must be ready by January 2028.