The Doris McCarthy Gallery is committed to providing residency and mentorship opportunities to young and local artists.
The gallery is interested in supporting artistic production, building community, and sharing the many resources that U of T Scarborough has to offer.
Please learn more about our residency opportunities below. Many of our residencies have developed into annual programs, but over the years, the gallery has also offered one-time residencies such as U of T Scarborough Campus Farm Artist–in-Residence.
With the guidance and support of DMG staff, the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre Student Curator-in-Residence Program provides a U of T Scarborough student with the opportunity to gain experience in every aspect of exhibition planning and develop an understanding of the curatorial process, including attending class critiques to select artwork, developing a curatorial theme, finalizing the placement of work within the site, and writing the interpretive materials accompanying the exhibition. The culminating exhibition is presented at and in partnership with Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, a City of Toronto cultural centre located in Scarborough. This mentorship program offers important practical experience and the unique opportunity to present work in a professional setting and have it seen by the wider community.
The Doris McCarthy Gallery Educator-in-Residence Program provides an emerging arts professional with mentorship and resources in order to research, plan, and implement a schedule of programs and outreach for specific exhibitions and audiences. Residents use their own creative practices to engage with art and audiences in new and innovative ways.
The Indigenous Youth Artist-in-Residence (IYAIR) Program is a collaboration between the Doris McCarthy Gallery and 7th Generation Image Makers (a program of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto), with support from the Department of Arts, Culture & Media. The program aims to support and deepen the practice of a young Indigenous artist, help with building relationships within the art community, and open up possibilities around post-secondary education. Typically, the program offers studio space; a stipend and materials budget; access to university resources, events, staff and faculty; the opportunity to audit courses; and mentorship and professional development from artists and arts professionals.
The Nuit Connects residency program was established in 2019 as a partnership between the Doris McCarthy Gallery and the City of Toronto, Economic Development & Culture Division. Nuit Connects is a relationship-building, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing residency program inspired by the solid and impassioned commitment to community and reciprocity demonstrated by the participants of Scarborough’s inaugural Nuit Blanche. A Scarborough artist with past participation in Nuit Blanche is invited to receive mentorship from the Nuit Blanche production team and access to their network of artists, curators, producers, and more for peer mentorship and skill development. The Doris McCarthy Gallery offers access to university resources, including faculty and course audits, and the gallery’s professional network, providing research and professional development opportunities.
To support artistic production and bring behind-the-scenes creative activity to the U of T Scarborough campus over the summer, artists are given access to the Doris McCarthy Gallery space—alongside a budget, university resources, and personalized supports—to explore their practice. This residency brings process to light, inspires a sense of reciprocal sharing and mentorship, and aligns with the gallery's commitment to community and collaboration.
