October to December residency application is now OPEN

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th 2024. 

Artist Opportunity

The City of Saint John invites artists and artist-led groups, to submit Expressions of Interest to be selected for the 2024 October-December Artist in Residence Program.

Community engagement remains at the heart of this program, which is open to artists practicing in all mediums including but not limited to:

• visual (painting, sculpture)
• literary (poetry, collective works)
• performance (dance, music, opera, theatre, musical theatre)
• new media (film, television, radio, audio, video, animation, digital)
• multidisciplinary and the intersectionality therein

Artists should note this is not a live-in residency. Permits may be issued for temporary use of public spaces for artistic creation and presentation

Program Goals

• Connect residents to Arts and Culture
• Creatively animate public space(s) indoor or outdoor.
• Provide opportunities for artists to engage with the public to showcase their creative practices.
• Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts.
• Broaden the community’s experience of the arts.
• Contribute to placemaking and community pride

Roles and Responsibilities

The City of Saint John will:

• recognize the artist is the City’s October-December Artists in Residence
• provide access to municipal facilities and venues (as available);
• coordinate permits for public space(s) (as appropriate);
• promote project information with a webpage on saintjohn.ca (other sites created and managed by the artist may also be utilized in the delivery of the project);
• provide administrative assistance, web services, event coordination, graphic design, and project promotion;
• award a $5,000 (CAD) budget to selected artist which includes artist fees and funding to cover other costs directly related to the project; and
• provide an opportunity for presentation and celebration at the end of the residency.

The City will also provide marketing and promotional collateral at its own expense.

The Selected Artist will:

• commit to engaging community members in creative experiences including but not limited to two public residency engagements;
• deliver the selected project within the program’s timeline and budget;
• promote the project via social media;
• provide regular progress updates to staff;
• be available to speak with the media; and
• attend a debriefing session at the end of the residency period.

Scope of Work

As part of the program, the artist will be expected to undertake a selection of the following residency engagements, to be agreed upon between the City and the Artist:

• artist talk
• workshop class or self-guided, public activity
• virtual or physical exhibition/display of completed work

The successful project for this community-based arts initiative should engage residents and visitors to Saint John and promote an appreciation of Arts and Culture.

Expressions of Interest should outline the project concept and indicate how the artist will engage with the community.

While the artist’s process is as important as the resulting artistic products, projects should produce an outcome such as, but not limited to, a temporary installation, performance, recording, creative collaboration, exhibition, or community experience that can be shared and celebrated with the public.

Eligibility requirements

This opportunity is open to all artists residing within the City of Saint John. Artists should have proven experience engaging the public and working collaboratively with community members or other artists. They must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and be 18 years of age or older to qualify for this opportunity.

Previous City of Saint John Artists-in-Residence and City of Saint John employees are not eligible to apply.

Fundraising activities are not eligible.

A strong web/social media presence/following is considered an asset.

Eligibility requirements

Following the evaluation of proposals, the funding support unit will look at prioritizing applications from the following Indigenous and equity-seeking communities:

• Mi’gmaq, Wolastoqiyik, and Peskotomuhkatiyik Nations
• Inuit
• Métis
• IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Color)
• People with visible and invisible disabilities
• Refugees / Immigrants / Newcomers
• 2SLGBTQIA+

The City of Saint John recognizes that people identify themselves in many ways. Terms used to self-identify are continually evolving. People can change their identities or the ways they want to identify over time.

The project budget (managed by the artist) is $5,000 and includes, but is not limited to, all costs associated with the creation and implementation of the residency project including:

• Artist fees (including research, development, and administration)
• Materials (including any supplies, studio expenses, services, or equipment)
• Disbursements will be made throughout the project as per a negotiated schedule of deliverables. Additional funds secured by the artist through project-related grants, awards and prizes may be used to supplement the project budget.

Upon acceptance, the artist will enter an Artist Agreement with the City of Saint John.

The recommended artist or artist-led groups will be chosen through a juried selection process. Artists will be evaluated on their qualifications and experience, body of work, merit of proposal, and capacity to engage with the community.

The City’s Arts Grants Committee will review proposals based on program goals and selection criteria outlined below. Staff may be engaged to vet permits, land use, etc.

Expression of Interest

Artists will be scored based on their previous body of work and experience; capacity to engage the community; ability to deliver work of high artistic quality on time and on budget; as well a project proposal that is realistic and achievable and has a vision for community involvement.

Submission Deadline: Thursday October 10th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

• Expression of Interest (1-page, maximum file size 2 MB – pdf, doc or docx) Include a project proposal that describes desired outcomes and a vision for community involvement.
• Artist Resume (up to 3-pages, maximum file size 2 MB – pdf, doc or docx)
• Support Materials – Include up to 3 samples of your artistic work to support your proposal. (e.g., photos of artworks, short writing samples, links to video or sound files. Maximum file size 5 MB – pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg or png – text field available for links.)
• Applicants should include letters of support and/or agreement for collaborating community groups, organizations, or private landowners if proposed artwork will be placed on private property.

Evaluation Criterion

Qualifications and experience (20%)

• The artist’s professional experience, interests and talents complement the program (5%)
• The artist has demonstrated experience and inventiveness in working collaboratively with community members (5%)
• The artist has the knowledge and skills required to facilitate, coordinate, promote, and administer the project on time and on budget (10%)

Quality of project proposal (40%)

• The project proposal outlines a project that will creatively animate public space(s) (10%)
• The project proposal has a vision for community involvement in their practices (10%)
• The project proposal will produce an outcome such as, but not limited to, a temporary installation, performance, recording, collection, creative collaboration, exhibition, or community experience that can be shared and celebrated with the public (10%)
• The preliminary project proposal is realistic and achievable (10%)

Realization of proposal (40%)

• The proposed project will creatively animate public space(s) (10%)
• The artist’s plans for cultural programming and community engagement are strong (10%)
• The proposed project demonstrates a connection to the city and/or relevance to the citizens of Saint John with potential for positive impact in the community (20%)

Please note that late proposals will not be accepted.

General Provisions

Artist Agreement: The successful artist(s) will enter into an Artist Agreement with the City of Saint John. Upon notification of being awarded the project, the successful artist will have a 7-day period to finalize and sign the agreement.

Conflict of Interest: Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in their submission, including any which may involve City employees, Council members, or members of the Saint John Community Arts Board.

Reserved Rights: The City of Saint John and the Saint John Community Arts Board are not obliged to accept any of the submissions and reserve the right to not recommend any proposal or finalist and to terminate or re-advertise any project.

Join in the fun this summer with our event series running Tuesdays to Saturdays all summer long. Free family-friendly activities will be offered weekly throughout the City.  

Our COVID-19 safety plan is in place for all events. Public health requirements must be met at all times, and City staff will be on site should there be any questions.  

This week’s events are as follows:  

Tuesday, August 24
Music in the Market Series 
12 noon – 1 p.m.  
Saint John City Market 
Live music with Matt Currie

Wednesday, August 25
Outdoor Yoga Series 
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. 
Queen Square
Yoga in the Park with Saint John Yoga Co-Op (Bring your own mat)  

Thursday, August 26
Saint John Night Market 
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
North and South Market Streets
Live Music with Frank James from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, August 27
Open Air Art Series  
12 noon – 1 p.m. 
City Hall Plaza, 15 Market Square  
Performance by PRUDE 

As one of the most visited sites in New Brunswick, the City Market has been a vital element of our Uptown since 1876. The 2023-2033 Saint John City Market Strategic Plan will chart a vision forward under key direction to maintain its reputation as the premier destination and gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The initial Strategic Plan development process took place from January 2022 - March 2023, and included a series of community, vendor, and stakeholder engagements, which resulted in a set of priority actions and detailed roadmap.

Update (May 1, 2024): Provincial recycling program now in effect for Saint John

The City of Saint John would like to make residents aware of changes to curbside recycling collection services.  As part of the Province of New Brunswick’s recently expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, management of all curbside recycling collection will become the responsibility of a third-party service provider, Miller Waste, beginning May 1.

All recycling collection inquiries should be directed to Miller Waste including replacement totes, schedules and missed collections:

Phone: 1-833-644-1163

Email: nb@millerwaste.ca
A non-profit called Circular Materials (https://www.circularmaterials.ca/) is coordinating this EPR expansion. The recycling collection service provider for Saint John is Miller Waste.

What residents need to know about their curbside recycling collection

• As of May 1, residents will have new curbside recycling pickup dates and times. Collection schedules will be managed and implemented by Miller Waste and details about the changes are expected to be communicated by Circular Materials in the coming days.
• The ReCollect app is currently being updated and will still be available and the best source for determining your pickup day. In the meantime, residents can go to NB Recycling Guide_CitySaintJohn to find your recycling schedule.
• There will be no changes to the types of materials that can be recycled under the new program.
• There are no changes to collection of your garbage or compost as a result of this program.

The change comes as a result of the Province of New Brunswick’s expansion of the EPR program to paper and packaging under the Designated Materials Regulation and is being implemented in municipalities throughout the province.

Improved curbside garbage and compost collection services are now underway with the enhanced Waste Wise Program. 

Program Highlights:

Garbage bag limits:

• • One full city-issued garbage cart (approximately two large garbage bags)
  • For households that will not receive a garbage cart and will continue to receive bag collection (South-Central Peninsula, Old North End and Waterloo Village):
    • A limit of one bag per weekly pickup
       
• Garbage Bag Tags for excess garbage:
  • Bag tags are required when allowable garbage bag limits are reached and additional bags need to be used.
  • Bag tags can be purchased for $2 per tag at the City Hall Customer Service Centre and other locations across the city. Find a full list of vendors HERE or seen below.
  • Bag tags are available for purchase at locations across the City including City Hall.

*Residents may request bag tags to be mailed to them by contacting the Customer Service Centre at 506-658-4455. A minimum order of one full sheet (13 tags) and payment by credit card is required.

• Curbside compost will continue to be offered under the new program.
   
• The bulky items pick-up service will continue to be offered to all customers, by appointment, by contacting Customer Service at 506-658-4455.   

Urban bag tags

Residents who live in the South-Central Peninsula, Old North End and Waterloo Village areas of the city will be required to place an urban bag tag on their garbage bags prior to pickup.

Urban bag tags are mailed to residents living in those areas twice a year in January and July. 

Medical Waste Support Program

Do you or someone in your household have a medical condition that results in additional waste that cannot be recycled?

The City of Saint John’s Medical Waste Support program is designed to assist those who regularly need to dispose of extra garbage due to medical reasons.  For those who qualify, the program provides garbage tags for 52 additional bags tags per year at no cost.

To protect your privacy, all tags provided are standard City of Saint John Excess Garbage Bag Tags. Applications are accepted throughout the year and must be renewed annually.

How to apply and program details:

• Download and complete the (PDF). The form must be signed by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner before it is returned to the City as outlined in the application.
• Only paper copies of this form will be accepted.
• If you do not access to a printer, you can call 506-658-4455 and arrange to have a form mailed to you.
• Once received, the application will be reviewed for accuracy. Incomplete forms will be returned to the applicant.
• If there are multiple residents who live in the household requiring extra tags, a separate form must be filled out for each resident.
• If approved, 52 City of Saint John excess garbage bag tags will be mailed to the address provided.
• This program excludes personal protective equipment (PPE).

Applications must be renewed annually on the anniversary date of the applicant’s program approval by filling out a Medical Waste Support Renewal Form (PDF). The application renewal date will be provided in a letter that accompanies the tags. 

Please visit the "Related Documents" section of this page for application forms.

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We can all make improvements in the amount of waste we generate in our lives, and become more responsible for our waste. Waste Wise Saint John is an initiative that aims to help residents reduce waste through education, resources, and enforcement. 

Composting

Composting reduces landfill waste, thereby extending the life of the landfill. Plus, animals and birds will not be attracted to your garbage if there is no food product in it, which makes for cleaner properties and streetscapes. But did you know that it even makes economic sense to compost? The FRSC fee for compost is $40 per metric tonne, compared to the $108 per tonne of garbage. We save money and help save the planet when we compost.

For composting tips, please visit the Fundy Regional Service Commission website here.

Recycling

You can reduce household waste by nearly 50 per cent when you recycle!

Household electronics can be recycled at the Crane Mountain Landfill Hazardous Waste Depot and at other depot locations throughout the city. This is a free program.

For more recycling information including a blue bin map, visit Fundyrecycles.com.

Preventing a mess

You can help prevent garbage from making a mess of yards, sidewalks or streets. Secure your containers during inclement weather, and cover your garbage with an old blanket or tarp to prevent animal and bird interference—crews will leave your covering behind when they clear your street. Remember, you are responsible for your garbage and any loose refuse resulting from weather, animals, or otherwise.

The City of Saint John has a large collection of visual art and heritage pieces that have been purchased or donated to the City. This work can be seen within City Hall, as well as various locations throughout the City, including the Saint John Arts Centre, Market Square, and the Saint John Free Public Library. 

The art collection includes work by celebrated artists from Saint John including Miller Brittain, Fred Ross, Herzl Kashetsky, and many more. 

The City of Saint John currently has two Calls for Arts:

• Call for Indigenous Artists: Deadline to apply December 15th 2023
• 2023 Art Bank Program: Deadline to apply December 18th 2023

Please refer to Related Documents on this page for full details.