About THARS
The Ted Harrison Artist Retreat Society (THARS) operates a visual arts Retreat that is intended to give artists from across the country an opportunity to concentrate on the development of a creative project or body of work in a remote and inspirational setting.
Our organization is driven and directed by a Board of Directors consisting of respected community leaders interested in supporting the Retreat and arts outreach programs. We are also committed to partnering with other arts and community organizations such as Yukon Arts Centre, Yukon Artists at Work Co-op, Yukon Arts Society, Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture and the Society of Yukon Artists of Native Ancestry.
The new residency schedule for 2010-2011 is structured to provide for a greatly increased use of the Retreat by more individual artists and arts groups.
A priority for THARS is to contribute to the rich and diverse cultural life across the Yukon by facilitating an exchange of ideas, techniques, and experiences between resident artists and the larger community. Through the development of educational programming and community outreach, THARS provides a forum for sharing the varied and distinct cultural art forms that define different art practices and regions across the country.
The Retreat is the inspiration of well-known and former Yukon artist, Ted Harrison, who has generously donated his original cabin and property on the shores of Crag Lake, just south of Whitehorse, Yukon. A new log residence and studio has been built on the property, leaving intact the older, quaint cabin on the lakeshore. Ted has provided the opportunity for visual artists to focus on their work in an idyllic setting.
Program objectives:
- To provide artists with an opportunity to work in relative solitude, in an inspirational setting and for an extended period of time.
- To provide training opportunities for Northern artists and the community.
- To encourage and develop an appreciation of the arts in our community through the presentation of workshops, open studio visits, lectures and exhibitions.
- To promote an exchange of ideas between artists/citizens of different cultural and regional backgrounds.
- To increase the economic well being of artists and further the cultural industry in the Yukon by investing in the development of the arts.
Eligibility:
Established and emerging professional Canadian and international visual artists are invited to apply to the Ted Harrison Artist Retreat Society. Artists from the North (Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon) and First Nation artists from across the country are encouraged to apply.
Projects involving all disciplines are eligible, including but not limited to: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Textiles, Carving, Craftwork, Design, Multimedia, Installation, Film and Video. Special consideration will be given to Illustrators of children’s books.
Working Environment:
Throughout the year, the residence will accommodate different working environments, including:
- Independent artists seeking solitude for their work.
- Artist couples, working on independent or collaborative projects, who can share a living and working space.
- For the months of June, July and August the Retreat will be available for special events, workshops from half day to several days in duration. The studio rental space will be by the week or by the month.
THARS provides resident artists with:
- A one bedroom living and studio space, including all utilities at no cost to the artist. There is a daybed in an alcove in the studio that could accommodate a second sleeping area.
- Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des Artistes Canadiens (CARFAC) fees for community outreach work such as workshops, lectures, slide talks, etc.
Residents are responsible for:
- All travel costs to and from Whitehorse, Yukon.
- Transportation to and from the Retreat at Crag Lake to Whitehorse, a distance of 90 km.
- All materials, including any specialized equipment needed.
- Providing an open studio visit at the residency site, and at least one community outreach workshop or artist presentation in Whitehorse, and possibly neighbouring communities.
- Completing an exit survey and providing a brief written summery of work done while at the Retreat.
Community Outreach:
A priority for THARS is to contribute to the rich and diverse cultural life across the Yukon by sharing ideas, experiences and techniques between Yukon artists, national artists, and community members.
THARS promotes an awareness of varied and distinct cultural art forms, which are present in the North and other regions of Canada, through the development of community and educational and recreational programming and events.
Community outreach opportunities may include: open studio visits, slide talks, lectures, workshops, collaborative community projects, and/or the donation of an art piece. The Residency Coordinator will facilitate venues that you wish to participate in. CARFAC fees will be paid, where applicable.