Arts Mentor in Residence
Toronto Public Library (TPL)’s Arts Mentor in Residence (ArtIR) program supports artists who are looking to build knowledge and confidence through exposure to entrepreneurial expertise, with a focus on engaging with and serving the needs of equity-seeking groups and vulnerable populations.
2022 Arts Mentor in Residence
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Su-Ying Lee is an independent curator and has also worked in institutions as Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), Curator in Residence at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, and Assistant Curator at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. She received a Masters Degree in Curatorial Studies at the University of Toronto and is an alumnus of the Toronto Arts Council/Banff Centre's Cultural Leaders' Lab. Her projects have taken place across Canada, in Hong Kong, Mexico City and Quezon City (Metro Manila, Philippines).
Watch replays of past events with our Arts Mentor in Residence
- Explore Canadian Mixed Media Artist Rajni Perera's Studio
- Creating Art-Related Income
- Virtual Studio Tour of a DIY Artist Run Project
- Accessing Arts Grants with the Toronto Arts Council (TAC)
- Mainstream Not-for-Profit Galleries and How to Get an Exhibition
- Effective Proposal Writing
- Effective Artists' Statements
- Accessing Arts Grants with the Canada Council for the Arts
What is the ArtIR program?
The ArtIR program is an eight-week residency which involves reviewing submitted arts based business ideas, artist statements and portfolios and meeting one-on-one with selected applicants (either in person or virtually). The ArtIR also collaborates with the Library to create and offer virtual programs and events to the general public, as well as create and maintain internal/external communications in their area of expertise.
The ArtIR offers support of TPL's Arts and Culture programs and services, and:
- Collaborates with the Library to create and deliver virtual programs and events (e.g. online workshops and lectures) to the general public in their area of expertise.
- Engages with creative entrepreneurs and artists to review arts-based business ideas, artist statements and portfolios.
- Meets with library customers one-on-one through virtual sessions to critique and answer questions about arts-based business creation and development.
- Creates and maintains internal/external communications in their area of expertise.
- Provides feedback and recommendations and points out available resources that may be beneficial.
Past Residents
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Winter 2021 Artrepreneur in Residence
TPL proudly welcomed Paola Gomez as TPL's first-ever Artrepreneur in Residence (ArtIR) from February 22 to April 23, 2021.
Paola is the co-founder and Director of Muse Arts and the Creator, Director and Producer of the HAPPENING Multicultural Festival. She is a Faculty Member of the School of Communication, Arts & Design at Centennial College. A trained human rights lawyer, Paola has received numerous awards in recognition for her work with newcomers and refugees as well as her history of building communities through the arts.
Access a digital brochure (PDF) to learn more about TPL's 2021 Artrepreneur in Residence program.
Watch replays of events with our past Artrepreneur in Residence
Apply to be an Arts Mentor in Residence
Applications are not currently being accepted at this time. Stay tuned for the next opportunity to apply.
The ArtIR program is an eight-week residency which will involve reviewing submitted arts based business ideas, artist statements and portfolios and meeting one-on-one with selected applicants (either in person or virtually). The ArtIR also collaborates with the Library to create and offer virtual programs and events to the general public, as well as create and maintain internal/external communications in their area of expertise.