Fleming College
IN-27: Innovation D

In partnership with the municipality of Dysart et al, Reclaim is a unique artist in residence program that began in 2015 with the goal of using art to educate the community about the impact of unnecessary waste in the landfill. Reclaim Artist Residency is an opportunity for established artists to work in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands for a 6 - 12 week period during the summer, developing a body of work that focuses the local landfill as subject matter and material inspiration. Artists selected for the residency program work with the municipal landfill and local resale stores as concepts for their art (subject matter or material) to comment on society and culture. Artists are encouraged to create work that responds to the environmental impact of the landfill. Reclaim Artist Residency attracts artists who are seeking to broaden their knowledge, respect and understanding of recycling, while expanding their practice to include found objects. To be considered for the program, artists are required will submit a written proposal that demonstrates their commitment to working with the local landfill to reclaim objects as part of their art. The goal is to draw attention to the landfill and provide insight to what is being discarded in our community and impacting the environment. Involving the local resale stores demonstrates how our community can better repurpose items and encourage community members to recycle. Submissions are assessed on how closely they reflect the goals of the program. Artist’s submissions should include examples or references to other artists who create works that align with our mandate, to demonstrate the artist’s understanding of the goals of our residency. During the residency, artists work at HSAD in a studio space that is open to the public. Students and the community are invited to visit the artist’s studio to view work in progress and ask questions. At the end of the residency, there is a public display of the artist’s work in the community and one piece is donated to HSAD’s Annual Faculty Art Auction. All funds raised in the Art Auction are used to assist with the student bursaries. There is also one public lecture provided to the Fleming College community that is open to the public. An important aspect of the project is the integration of the selected artist into our college community and the education of the broader community on waste and sustainability. The college endeavours to make artist participation fiscally sustainable by providing the artist with teaching opportunities where possible, based on fit and course availability. Artists are expected to bring their own supplies and equipment, however, the focus of material use is expected to be on reclaimed items wherever possible