Residency FAQs
Most questions are answered on our Application page but here are a few more!
Much more information is provided to accepted AiRs in our Handbook.
Can I bring my fur friends?
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Unfortunately we cannot welcome pets, so please find alternative accommodation for your fur/less friends.
Can I bring my partners or children?
What about overnight guests?
Can I have day-time visitors?
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We have loved hosting families and partners in the past, but are taking a pause to consider how to facilitate a better experience for all.
Overnight guests are not permitted in order to prioritize everyone’s comfort and privacy.
If you would like to have a visitor to your studio during daytime hours, it must be approved ahead of time by the cohort and The Ou team. This is in the interest of protecting everyone's time in the studio.
The Ou can accommodate artistic collaborators. Fill out our form to get in touch so we can learn more about your needs.
Do people rent a car?
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A car rental is recommended if you would like to explore more of the island with ease.
That being said, often artists will car-share for a duration of the stay.
Rental cars are available in central Duncan and at the Nanaimo and Victoria airpots. If you rent a car in Vancouver, note that you will need to pay for the additional cost on the ferry, and have that much more travel time ahead of you (the drive to ferry from airport, then a two-hour ferry, then the drive to residency).
Can I walk to the grocery and art store?
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Yes! :)
We are a 2 min drive/10 min walk down a forested trail to grocery stores, cafes and restaurants, and a 5 min drive/20 min walk to our cute downtown where you’ll find art supplies at the lovely Excellent Frameworks and the year-round Saturday farmer’s market.
The nearest bus stop is a 3 min walk away and will take you downtown and to nearby towns or Victoria.
What’s the spring and winter like?
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Do you offer funding?
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Do you have exhibitions?
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We live in a temperate rainforest so our temperatures are generally mild (not very cold or very hot). Plan for rainy days and time by the fire.
The winter season can be a busy time, but being an artists in residence at The Ou is a call to slow down and turn inward with your practice. The forests have gone quiet as they drink up the rains, but the air is fresh with evergreen cedar boughs, pine and fir. A clearer view of the creek opens with the falling leaves, and the waterfall below the studios amplifies in strength. A great time of year to stay focussed in the studio, spot heron and eagles fishing around the creek.
Bring a warm coat, weather proof footwear and slippers for inside.
Anticipate these average temperatures: highs of 45°F to 50°F (7°C to 10°C) and low of 33°F to 41°F (1°C to 5°C)
We offer discounted rates for BIPOC artists and are improving this model in 2028 so that more artists can access funding.
Upon acceptance we will gladly provide a letter to use in any grant applications.
Yes! Your bedroom is private. You will share a kitchen and bathroom with one other artist.
We also include:
WIFI (fast enough for video calls and streaming)
Hot water + heat
Bedding
Bathroom supplies: towels, shampoo, conditioner
Dishwasher, stove, microwave, washer and dryer
We no longer support exhibitions or workshops at this time. The goal of our residency is on process, play and experimentation. When the focus turns outward to a public eye, your time in residence changes dramatically and becomes harried or even stressed. Instead, we see our residency as an opportunity for renewal and rest.
There may be opportunities for you to connect with our local arts organizations and we would encourage you to reach out and connect with the Cowichan Valley Arts Council.