Jung-Ah Kim: Emerging from the Tett
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already heard of the Tett Centre. But did you know that for each season of the year, an emerging Kingston artist joins the Tett Centre community and gets to create art in the building’s very own studio space? Program and Communications Coordinator Jung-Ah Kim shares what makes the Tett Centre Artist Residency program so special for both the artists and the community in anticipation of the fast-approaching 2026 Artist Residency application deadline.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Can you describe what the Artist Residency Program is and what makes it unique?
We have a studio space at the Tett Centre that we offer to emerging artists in Kingston, where they can develop their projects. We recognize that space is essential for any arts practice, especially artists that are at the emerging level, as they might not have the resources and the means to have their own spaces for their practice. That’s why the space is offered as the primary award for the residency.
Beyond that, residents get to connect with other artists and arts organizations at the Tett Centre, which is an incredibly creative space with many disciplines. Even if you work in a certain medium, you can still explore and experiment with other practices and mediums at the Tett.
Additionally, artists get to present their work at our annual residency showcase. Each year we host four emerging artists, three months at a time, and they come together in the shared exhibition space at the end of the residency year.
What does the timeline of this residency look like and how do artists typically use that time?
Artists have access to the studio for three months, which sounds short, but is enough to produce meaningful work. Because this is a production-based residency, applicants would produce their work during this time period and hopefully wrap up what they’re working on which then becomes part of the exhibition.
They also participate in community engagement activities which is another unique feature of this program. Like studio artists, the residents will have six hours of community engagement activities during their residency period which can be spent offering workshops, or artist talks, or performance, whatever they feel is right for their arts practice. They can showcase their work and practice while connecting with the community.
What kinds of artists have participated in the past? And what sort of art disciplines do you accept?
As long as the artist can develop their work within the studio space, anything is possible. Painting, drawing, photography, textile, collage, sculpture, pottery, digital art, even curatorial research, it’s all possible. The artist could bring their own software on their laptops or their own throwing wheel and use the studio space as their office. The only thing that the studio space cannot accommodate is music and performance rehearsal. The studio isn’t soundproof and other artists are working nearby, but if the artist is using digital software to create soundscapes at a lower volume or with headphones, then it’s still possible. Otherwise, we welcome all disciplines.
What do artists gain from participating in this program and how is that unique to the Tett Centre specifically?
Community engagement is something unique to this residency program, but the biggest benefit is the studio space. Artists have 24/7 access to the studio space, even when the building is closed. They can display their creations within their residency year in the exhibition. They will be invited to the community meetings that happen once a month. It allows them to make connections to other studio artists and organizations in the Tett.
Lastly, we provide promotional support. Even if they have projects or exhibits outside of their residency, they can let us know and we will share their accomplishments on our social media and everything.
Can you share a memorable story or example of how the program has impacted an artist’s work or career?
Our current fall 2025 artist in residence, Rowynne Grant, has really gained exposure through this program. She recently moved and is an emerging artist in Kingston. Her practice involves things like graphic design, collage work, and acrylic painting. Her community engagement activity idea was to host a bi-weekly collaging club in the studio, which gained a lot of attention through both our and her promotional work.
Many people signed up for those collage nights, getting to know who she is as an artist while also discovering the Tett, some for the first time. The collage club was a great success. I believe that she will continue to do this even after her residency wraps up, both at the Tett and elsewhere in the community. It’s been amazing seeing her grow through this experience.
How does the program connect with or contribute to the local community?
We are only offering this residency to Kingston-based artists right now; all applicants need to have a City of Kingston mailing address to be able to apply. We really want to support the emerging artists in Kingston. Uplifting their voices and status so they can get somewhere with their arts practice. It’s like a growth system for emerging artists in the community.
What are your hopes for how the program will grow or evolve over the next couple years?
We feel the program is built really well right now. There’s a lot of interest from emerging artists in Kingston because of the benefits of having studio space and connecting with the Tett Centre community.
But of course, we want to make it better by being able to supply more stipends for the artists’ materials. For example, painters need supplies like paint, which is not something that is cheap. Future sponsorships and grants would help us make sure that the program is sustainable for everyone and make sure that we can continue offering emerging artists in Kingston a place where they can keep growing.
Jung-Ah Kim (she/her) is Program and Communications Coordinator at the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning. She is an artist-curator and arts administrator dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary, community-driven arts initiatives.
The Tett Centre’s 2026 Artist Residency program submission deadline is October 10, 2025. More information can be found here.
