Call for Applications from Deaf Artists

Take part in a special residency program!

The Music Gallery, Phoenix the Fire and VibraFusionLab are inviting Deaf artists in any creative discipline to apply to participate in a special residency program in September 2026. Five selected participants will collaborate with a music/sound artist, experiment with haptic technologies, and workshop their creative ideas through a multi-day residency.

This program aims to support the development of collaborative models for creation and performance between Deaf and hearing artists, inspire new ideas, and enhance the facilitation of programs that support Deaf artists.

Your role:

Artists selected as residency participants will engage in their practice during the five day residency, and work openly with a collaborating partner. Participants are not expected to produce a finished work. Our aim is to create conditions that are optimal for the participant to create, and through their feedback make improvements to Music Gallery’s programming. 

Application requirements:

Submit the following information through the online form below:

• Basic contact information
• Short responses to 3 prompts: either an ASL video submission (maximum 5 minutes) or written responses (combined maximum 4,500 characters)
  • Tell us about your artistic practice, and what excites you about your work/process.
  • Tell us about your experience with or interest in live performance, and working with music/sound.
  • Let us know whether you have worked with vibrotactile/haptic equipment before, and if so, feel free to share some basic information about that experience.
• Artist biography or CV (upload the text of a biography, or a PDF of your resume/CV)
• Links to samples of your work (images, video, PDF or other formats that suit your medium)

Deadline: Monday, April 6 (11:59 PM EDT)*

*This deadline is updated from the ASL video. The online submission form will close at this time.

Project timeline: 

• March: Call for Applications from Deaf Artists
• April: Selection of Deaf participants
• May: Deaf participants provide input on selection of hearing artists (who will act as their collaborators, they will apply through a separate call)
• June-August: Residency planning (conducted remotely)
• September: Residency program takes place (5 days, in person)
  • Dates: Monday, September 14 – Friday, September 19 (10:00am-4:00pm)
  • Location: Social Art Studio Space, 180 Shaw Street (lower level), Toronto
• October-December: Public workshops (opportunity for artist participation, TBD)

What Participants will receive:

• Workshop fee: $2,500 CAD to participate in the project, including the 5 day residency, and program feedback (this amount can be paid in multiple installments in coordination with the participant)
• Meals: Lunches, snacks, and refreshments provided during residency
• Additional subsidies: Subsidies for travel, family care, and other expenses will be offered and can be discussed following the selection process

Additional staffing and resources:

The project will include some specific resources and support staff to assist participants: 

• ASL interpretation on site during residency
• Technician support
• Haptic equipment (Multiple Woojer Belts and Pillows, one 4’ x 4’ Vibrotactile floor)
• Basic audio equipment, instruments 
• Rental of additional equipment can be discussed during planning process
• Hearing artists and Music Gallery staff will be participating in an introductory ASL course conducted by Hands on ASL! prior to the residency

Integration of haptic/vibrotactile equipment:

We will integrate newly acquired adaptive equipment (listed above, produced by VibraFusionLab) into our production infrastructure. These devices use surface transducers that convert audio signals into vibrations. A Deaf artist and a hearing artist can use this gear in order to interact in real time. Each device will serve different purposes and we will invite Deaf artists to try out multiple devices during the week.

VibraFusionLab team members will also be on site during the residency to offer assistance.

Venue Information:

Social Art Studio Space (S.A.S.S.) is located at 180 Shaw Street. The venue has ramp access, powered doors, and an elevator. Visitors can use the elevator to access the Lower Level. There is a powered door at the entrance to S.A.S.S., and the space has two accessible, all gender washrooms (one single stall, and the other with two stalls).

You can send questions about the program to matthew@musicgallery.org