SPAO ANNOUNCES: THE TD CAREER LAUNCH INITIATIVE

SPAO ANNOUNCES: THE TD CAREER LAUNCH INITIATIVE

The SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre and supporting sponsor TD Bank Group are pleased to announce the TD Career Launch Initiative. This initiative will provide 5 emerging photo-based artists from anywhere in Canada, 6 months of mentoring support as well as the environment and facilities required in order to significantly impact their artistic career development. The standard fee to participate in this residency ($5500) for each artist selected will be supported by the TD Bank Group, ensuring youth or traditionally marginalized individuals are prioritized.
A TD Ready Commitment Sponsorship
Support from the TD Ready Commitment will allow us to improve opportunities for emerging artists, bolster our organization's capacity and further diversify the environment where artistic talent can flourish. We believe that this investment will not only benefit individual artists but also contribute to the cultural enrichment of our community. We are grateful for the support of TD as we continue to reduce the barriers for artists to access professional development opportunities.


"At TD, we believe that arts and culture allow people to feel connected to their communities and exposes them to new perspectives," says George Dalal, Region Head at TD Bank. "We are proud to support the SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre as part of our focus on amplifying diverse voices in the arts. Congratulations on launching the Photographic Artist Residency program. We are confident that this initiative will elevate the work of photo-based artists from diverse backgrounds and have a positive influence on artistic career progression."


Supporting Canadian Photographic Artists in Need
This initiative supports 5 emerging artists with the mentorship and environment needed to launch their careers through the SPAO Photographic Artist Residency, supported by TD. These artists must be Canadian or permanent residents in financial need and identify as one or more of the following priority groups: youth (35 years or younger), Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), 2SLGBTQIA+, person with a disability, or person of colour.

“SPAO is incredibly excited to be working with the TD Bank Group, a supporting sponsor that is as passionate about making a positive and bold community impact as we are.”

-Jonathan Hobin, SPAO Creative Director

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

Apply Now for the Photographic Artist Residency, supported by TD
Applications are open until April 15th, 2024 5:00 PM EST or until all spots are filled. Click HERE to apply. *Instructions on form
http://www.google.com/url?q=https://forms.gle/Mz88xg6QYstGtq2CA&source=gmail&ust=1709991762977000&usg=AOvVaw2rHgdMbq9OEhRaboukua9C

About the TD Photographic Artist Residency
The SPAO Photographic Artist Residency, supported by TD* (formerly the SPAO Artist Residency), offers
photo-based artists the opportunity to advance their careers at one of Canada’s foremost photographic art centres. During this 6-month residency, individuals are provided the mentorship and facilities required to research, experiment, and produce new work as a professional artist. Upon completion, artists are offered the paid opportunity to exhibit in the SPAO Centre Gallery. The residency has been designed for artists who have completed formal artistic training, (or equivalent artistic experience), and are ready to intensely focus on their career development. *NOTE: Housing accommodations are not included as part of the residency.

About SPAO
SPAO is one of Canada's foremost Photographic Arts Centre, housing the only two-year photographic arts college in Canada, numerous recreational part-time classes, a unique international artist residency and the only critical and independent gallery in the region dedicated to lens-based art.