CityFolk Artist in Residence Program

Launched in 2024 after a successful pilot with the John Howard Society, the CityFolk Artist in Residence Program brings local artists into community spaces across Ottawa to lead creative sessions in music, spoken word poetry, songwriting, and general arts appreciation.

Our goal is to partner with organizations that focus on mental health, wellness, and community support—spaces that may not typically have the resources or funding to offer regular arts programming. By introducing professional artists into these settings, we aim to foster creativity, connection, and engagement.

The residency is designed to be flexible:

• Format: Weekly workshops that can run as structured classes or open drop-in sessions.
• Duration: Up to 36 weeks, divided into three 12-week segments. Each segment is reviewed collaboratively to ensure the program continues to meet community needs.
• Participants: Suitable for programs with consistent groups or rotating drop-in attendance from age 11- adult. 

By creating accessible opportunities for artistic expression, the program helps participants build confidence, explore creativity, and strengthen community bonds.

Interested in hosting?
If your organization would like to learn more about bringing an artist to your location, please get in touch: communityprogramming@ottawabluesfest.ca