Vernon Community Arts Centre looking for two 16-18 year olds for annual Youth Artist in Residence Program

Photo: Contributed

After a COVID hiatus, there will be an injection of youth to the Vernon Community Arts Centre.

The annual Youth Artist in Residence Program is starting up again and is looking to support two students this year.

The Youth Artist in Residence (YAR) program is open to all aspiring artists ages 16-18 living within School District 22.

The goal of YAR is to help aspiring artists increase their confidence, enhance their skills and build a stronger connection to their local arts community. The objective is to give youth an opportunity to explore their own creative processes, discover new art medias and techniques, connect with other artists and arts organizations, and create a body of work to be exhibited at the end of the residency.

For eight weeks this summer, the selected artists are provided a dedicated studio space at the VCAC where they will receive mentorship, artistic support and the resources needed to build a portfolio of work.

Thanks to a donation by the Okanagan Artists of Canada Society (OACS), each artist will also receive an honorarium to purchase materials and supplies.

“We believe art is not only a wonderful creative outlet, it helps build essential life skills,” said Nancy Vince, Treasurer of the OACS. “Engaging with the arts challenges youth to examine different points of view, helps them navigate and express their emotions, encourages them to innovate and take risks, and nurtures an appreciation for culture diversity. We know creative pursuits improve academic achievement, enhance critical thinking and problem solving, reduce anxiety and depression, and build self-confidence. When we invest in arts education for our young people, we are helping to form dynamic citizens for our local and global communities.”

YAR has a long list of success stories attached to the program. Many young artists have gone on to pursue post-secondary degrees and careers in the fine arts and education, some have returned to the centre to teach art classes and camps, others have utilized their skills and network to support other career related endeavours, and several of them have their works in galleries and private collections around the world.

YAR 2021 runs July 5 to Aug. 27 and applications are due June 23. Applications can be found on the Vernon Community Arts Centre website.

For more information, contact the VCAC at 250-542-6243 or [email protected].