Manitoba Craft Council Retreat at Victoria Beach on Lake Winnipeg
Call for Submissions
Deadline: February 24, 2025
The Manitoba Craft Council Retreat was created to encourage the artistic development of Manitoba craft artists across the spectrum of craft media. The successful applicants will have access to a well-appointed cottage at Victoria Beach, MB during the dates above for the purpose of self-directed, craft-related learning, research and making, either alone or in a small group.
About the Retreat:
The retreat was established by the Manitoba Craft Council in 2021 thanks to the generosity and vision of Ida Smith and John Lyttle. Retreats are offered twice annually – once in the spring and once in the fall. The Retreat period begins at 3 pm on Sunday and ends at 11 am the following Sunday.
Built in 2011, the cottage is located in Victoria Beach (car access permitted at time of Retreat). The cottage is a short walk from two beaches (5 min.); a bakery, convenience store, restaurant (10-15 min.), a pier and St. Michael’s Church (20 min.). The cottage has an open main room with entryway, kitchen, living room, reading and play area, and dining area, and a wood-burning fireplace. Also on the main floor is a full bathroom and three bedrooms, each with a double bed. The loft, which is accessed via a ladder screwed securely into the framing at the top and the floor at the bottom, has three single beds plus a crib-size mattress. Outside, there’s a shower with hot and cold running water, a large, wrap-around deck, barbeque, dining set, sitting areas, and a fire pit. The cottage is not wheelchair accessible. You will need to arrange your own transportation to and from the cottage, and on-site parking is available.
The Award (given annually) includes:
- Recognition at an awards dinner.
- Retreat valued at $1,000
Eligibility:
- Current MCC member.
- Members are eligible to receive a maximum of 2 retreats in a five-year period.
- Applicant’s practice meets MCC’s definition of craft. MCC sets the following parameters for what constitutes “craft”:
-Original handmade work in ceramic, fibre, metal, paper, stone, glass, leather, wood including jewellery, fashion, furniture, instruments, etc. -Work in the above materials and genres may be functional, sculptural or conceptual in nature.-Interdisciplinary or multi-media works that are primarily based in the above materials or related craft techniques.
Ineligible: Drawing, painting, and photography.Edibles, consumables, cosmetics. - Applicants and attendees must be able to attend the retreat during the specified time, must sign a waiver of liability, and must agree to abide by the Rules and Constraints.
How to Apply:
Applications are submitted online using the form HERE
Please have all your documents ready to submit before starting an application. You will not be able to edit your application after it is submitted or save what you have started and return to the application later.
Applicants will be asked to upload the following:
- One Word or PDF file containing:
a. A retreat proposal describing the project you will work on during the retreat:
-What are you hoping to do during the retreat?
-If this is a group proposal, please describe the participants and how you will work together.
-How will the retreat benefit your craft practice? (1 page max.)
b. Professional artist/craftsperson CV (3 page max)
c. A list of images, with applicant’s name, image number, title, size (L x W x H), year made, and materials used.
- Up to 5 images of the applicant’s work
IMPORTANT – Please name files as follows:
For Word or PDF file: first name, last name, image # (eg. JaneSmith)
For images: first name, last name, image # (eg. JaneSmith03)
Assessment
A selection committee composed of experienced craftspeople and curators with expertise in a range of craft media will be invited to review all applications and select retreat recipients. The committee will consider factors including:
- quality of the applicant’s work in terms of aesthetics, creativity, innovation
- potential impact of the retreat on the artist’s practice
Reporting
Retreat recipients will be asked to submit a short, informal report (200 word max) suitable for sharing publicly online, including relevant images, at the project’s conclusion.
Rules and constraints
The cottage should be left in the condition it was found in. It is a residential space. It is not set up as a workshop or a studio. It does not have a fume hood or specialized plumbing. A work table, which we expect will look used over time, and drop sheets will be available on the main floor to allow you to work with minimal long-term mess. It also has outdoor spaces (the deck, the yard, the area in general) that can be used for messier work, although all outdoor work should be done with a view to stewardship of the environment. Projects that involve changing the environment in any way should only be pursued with formal support of the local government. If damage is done during your retreat, you will be solely responsible for returning the cottage to the condition it was in upon your arrival.
Questions:
Please contact Tammy Sutherland with any questions at [email protected] or (204) 615–3951.
