Connected Minds Artist-in-Residence Call for Proposals 2025-26

INTRODUCTION

Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society, in partnership with Sensorium: Centre for Digital Art and Technology, invites applications for the Connected Minds Artist-in-Residence program at York University (Toronto). Applications are due Friday, July 7 at 12:00 PM EST.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Connected Minds Artist-in-Residence program has three central aims:

To support artist-researchers who use their creative work to explore the impacts of emerging technologies on diverse communities and how technologies might be developed in more socially responsible ways.
To deepen cross-disciplinary engagement, and engagement with, artistic approaches to the study of emerging technologies on researchers from across other disciplines (neuroscience, engineering, law, education, and more).
To raise the international awareness of the innovative and community-engaged research undertaken through the Connected Minds program by creatively sharing knowledge in non-academic spaces and with the wider community.

The selected artist will carry out their residency project through research-based creative practice. The successful project proposal(s) will critically explore the ethical and sociopolitical dimensions of disruptive, emerging, or intelligent technologies.

RESIDENCY DETAILS

Stipend:
- $60,000 + benefits for 1-year residency
- $30,000 + benefits for 6-months residency
Research/Materials Budget:
- $8,500 (1-year residency) or $4,250 (6-months residency)
Shared research space and assistance
Access to York University Libraries
Curatorial support for exhibition
Photo and video documentation of their exhibition

Application Deadline:
July 7th at 12:00pm EST
Submit Applications to helen2@yorku.ca

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We especially encourage and prioritize applications from artists who identify as Indigenous and/or as a member of another equity-deserving group, as well as research that addresses experiences of underrepresented communities – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or registered to a US tribe whose homelands straddle the colonial Canada/US border); African, Caribbean and Black individuals; racialized individuals; persons with disabilities; women; 2SLGBTQIA+; French linguistic minority). For information on EDI priorities visit: Connected Minds EDI Framework

More information about our current Artists-in-Residence can be found here
Questions? Reach out to Helen Lee at helen2@yorku.ca.

This opportunity is open to artist working in any medium. Both individuals and artist collectives are welcome to apply however, the total stipend remains fixed regardless of group size.

Eligible applicants must:

Have a demonstrated track record in research-based creative practice, including public presentations of their work
Have at least two years of experience mentoring or training emerging artists
Be available to work in-person at York University as required

Persons of all nationalities are welcome to apply; however, we are not able to cover relocation expenses. This opportunity is not open to current York or Queen’s University students or faculty. While Sensorium will administer the residency, the artist-in-residence may be affiliated with more than one of the research centres at York and Queen’s that are associated with Connected Minds. 

Proposals will be adjudicated based on feasibility and alignment with the Connected Minds mandate.

The residency will be one year or 6-months in duration. Applicants must indicate if they are applying for a one-year residency or a 6-month residency.

One-year term: October 2025 – October 2026
Six-month term: October 2025 – March 2026 or April 2026 – October 2026

The Artist-in-Residence will:

Be on-site at a designated York University research space a minimum of two days per week on a regular basis (except for research-related travel periods); 
Actively collaborate with students and faculty within Connected Minds and produce opportunities for training and engagement in the form of workshops, talks, studio/lab visits, etc. throughout their residency; 
Present their work at Connected Minds community events;
Build opportunities for exchange across the three pillars of Connected Minds – Neuroscience, Intelligent Technologies, and Society – into their residency plan; 
Do a studio/lab visit at Queen’s University during their residency; 
Prepare a body of work for public exhibition at the culmination of the residency;
Meet agreed upon deadlines as set out in the residency plan, which will be made with the Sensorium Residency Team.

Submit completed applications to Sensorium Coordinator, Helen Lee, helen2@yorku.ca.

In your application please include:

A letter of interest (1 page)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Project proposal (1000 words max.)
Portfolio including 3 examples of recent research-creation work
1 letter of reference (appraisal of artistic work and ability to work with student trainees and participate productively in a collaborative, transdisciplinary setting) 
Budget for Research, Materials, and Community Engagement, including any external funds you may bring to the residency